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8 years ago · by · 0 comments

Children’s Health: Furniture Safety

live-well-work-wellA home might seem like one of the safest places for a child to play, but household furniture carries many unforeseen dangers, especially for young children.

Deadly Consequences

A child is killed every two weeks due to falling furniture in the United States—70 percent are caused by TVs alone. Injuries are even higher, with over 25,000 per year. Preventive measures should be taken to ensure children are safe at home.

Preemptive Protection

Parents will often “baby-proof” their house when expecting a child. This typically includes rounding off sharp table corners and installing baby locks. Surprisingly, properly anchoring heavy furniture is often overlooked.

Preventing Tip-overs

  • Use sturdy furniture to hold your TV and other appliances.
  • Mount flat-screen TVs whenever possible.
  • Closely follow assembly instructions for TVs and furniture.
  • Secure top-heavy furniture with anti-tip brackets.
  • Remove enticing objects from the top of heavy furniture to discourage children from climbing.

Furniture Tip-over Myths

  • Heavy furniture will not fall over. This is a common misconception. Even base-heavy furniture can be hazardous when children open the drawers and climb on them.
  • Rooms where children aren’t allowed don’t need precautions. Even a brief opportunity to wander in a bedroom or office can end in tragedy if the child plays on heavy furniture. Tip-overs happen quickly, and it is dangerous to leave a room unprotected.
  • Latched dresser drawers are sufficient. Latches made for cabinets are not a substitute for an anchor. Young children can figure out the latches or even open drawers wide enough to begin climbing.
  • Older children know they shouldn’t climb. Children aren’t masters of reason and can be compelled to climb if they see a toy sitting on top of a dresser. Additionally, children do not commonly think of shelves or dressers as dangerous, so climbing seems low-risk.
  • Sturdy furniture is safe. No matter the weight, no matter how sturdy, all furniture can pose a risk if not properly anchored. The quality of furniture does not lower the danger.

Remember, taking a few extra precautions now can save a child’s life in the future. Play it safe and anchor heavy furniture.

 

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8 years ago · by · 0 comments

The Contracting Classification Premium Adjustment Program (CCPAP)

work-comp-insights

The Contracting Classification Premium Adjustment Program (CCPAP) is a discount program that can reduce the amount that an employer pays in workers’ compensation premiums.

How does the CCPAP work?

The CCPAP was developed to provide a premium credit for employers in the contracting and construction industry who pay their employees higher than average wages. The CCPAP discount is calculated using the hourly rate of employees who are classified within the construction industry’s contracting class codes.

The system that is used to calculate workers’ compensation premiums groups employees according to risk. For each classification, the employer must pay a certain amount of workers’ compensation premiums based on every $100 of payroll. Since high wages amount to higher workers’ compensation premiums, employers use the CCPAP to lower their premiums to an amount more level with what they would be paying if they paid their employees less. With the CCPAP, employers aren’t penalized for paying their employees higher than average wages.

How does an employer apply for the CCPAP?

An employer must complete the CCPAP application and return it to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) within 180 days from either the effective date or the anniversary rating date of the workers’ compensation policy. The CCPAP must be applied for every year.

When completing the application, the employer must determine which calendar quarter data to use. The employer will also be asked to provide a description of operations or its classification, the appropriate classification code, the total wages paid and the total hours worked.

Once the application is received by the NCCI, the average hourly wage will be computed and the CCPAP credit will be generated according to the rules for the state in which the application is being made. The insurance company will then be notified, and the credit will be applied to the policy.

In which states is the CCPAP available?

The CCPAP is not a national program. Each participating state has its own rules, which include qualification and calculation of credits. Some states may also have an hourly pay rate threshold for entry into this program.

To see if the CCPAP is available for your business, consult with Scurich Insurance Services for more information about the program and the potential to lower your workers’ compensation premiums.

 

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8 years ago · by · 0 comments

OSHA Adopts New Beryllium Standards

compliance-bulletin

On Jan. 9, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule that amends its beryllium standards for the general, construction and shipyard industries.

The final rule sets a new permissible exposure level (PEL) and requires new provisions to protect workers, including exposure control measures, exposure assessments, respiratory protection, personal protective clothing and equipment, and new conventions for housekeeping, medical surveillance, hazard communication and record keeping.

The final rule becomes effective on March 10, 2017, though compliance is not required on most provisions until March 12, 2018.

ACTION STEPS

Employers should become familiar with the new standards and evaluate their current workplace practices and training programs to ensure compliance with the final rule by the applicable deadlines.

 

Beryllium

Beryllium is a metal that is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel. Beryllium is also durable, stable, conductive and nonmagnetic. Because of its properties, beryllium is often used as an alloying agent to produce beryllium copper, and it can be found in nuclear reactors, machine parts and springs, complex electronic equipment and aircraft.

However, beryllium is also very toxic. Exposure to unsafe beryllium levels can cause respiratory problems and skin disease. Beryllium exposure can also affect an individual’s eyes, liver, kidneys, heart, nervous system and lymphatic system. Also, beryllium is a known cancer-causing substance.

Affected Employers

OSHA estimates that approximately 35,000 workers are exposed to beryllium in approximately 4,088 establishments in the United States. However, even though the highest risk of exposure for workers is at the workplace, exposure can also happen through contaminated clothing and vehicles and can affect a worker’s family members and the general public.

Employers in manufacturing and alloy production, machining and fabrication, and recycling have traditionally shown the highest average exposures to beryllium.

New PELs

The final rule establishes two new PELs that apply to beryllium in all of its forms, compounds and mixtures. These standards are:

TWA PEL 0.2 μg/m3

An eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) PEL of 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air

& STEL PEL 2.0 μg/m3

A 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air

TWA PEL

The TWA PEL dictates that employers cannot allow the average worker exposure during an eight-hour work shift to exceed 0.2 μg/m3. The new TWA PEL represents one-tenth of the previous PEL. The new TWA PEL is ten times smaller than the previous PEL because OSHA found that the previous standard posed a “significant risk of material impairment of health to exposed workers.”

Even though OSHA concluded that a TWA PEL of 0.1 μg/m3 was preferable, it chose to adopt the 0.2 PEL out of concerns over the feasibility of implementing a 0.1 TWA PEL.

STEL PEL

The STEL PEL, or ceiling limit, was adopted because even the 0.2 μg/m3 TWA PEL continues to pose a significant health hazard to workers. The STEL PEL is intended to protect workers from the harm that may result from beryllium exposures that, though brief, exceed the TWA PEL.

The final rule sets the beryllium STEL PEL at than 2.0 μg/m3 of beryllium in any 15-minute sample during the work shift. Employers will be required to make sure that no worker is exposed to a higher concentration. Employers will need to measure their STEL PEL during the highest-exposure operations performed by workers.

Action Level

The final rule also implements an action level for beryllium. Under the final rule, the action level for beryllium is a concentration of airborne beryllium of 0.1 μg/m3 calculated as an eight-hour TWA. When beryllium concentrations are equal to or higher than the action level trigger, an employer may have to:

  • Conduct periodic exposure monitoring (if the employer is following the scheduled monitoring option);
  • List the operations and job titles that are reasonably expected to expose workers at or above the action level as part of their written exposure control plan;
  • Ensure that at least one of the controls listed by the final rule is set in place (unless the employer can demonstrate, for each operation or process, that such controls are either not feasible or that worker exposures are below the action level based on at least two representative personal breathing zone samples taken at least seven days apart);
  • Provide employee medical surveillance for employees that are exposed at or above the action level for more than 30 days per year (an employer’s medical surveillance obligations allow affected employees to receive exams at least every two years at no cost to the employee);
  • Follow medical removal protocols. Employees eligible for removal can choose to remain in environments with exposures at or above the action level, provided they wear respirators. These employees may also choose to be transferred to comparable work in environments with exposures below the action level. However, if comparable work is not available, the employer must maintain the employee’s earnings and benefits for six months or until comparable work becomes available.

Additional Requirements

The table below provides a summary of additional requirements and changes imposed by the final rule.

Exposure Assessment ·     Employers must provide exposure assessment when workers are reasonably expected to be exposed to airborne beryllium.

·     Employers may choose between the performance or schedule monitoring options.

Beryllium Work Areas ·     Employers in the general and shipyard industries must establish, maintain, demarcate and limit access to certain areas to limit worker exposure.

·     Employers in the construction industry must designate a “competent person” to demarcate certain areas of beryllium exposure.

Written Exposure Plan ·     Employers must establish, implement, and maintain a written exposure control plan and specify the information that must be included in the plan.

·     Written exposure plans must be reviewed annually and updated as required.

·     Employers must also make a copy of the written plan to any employee who is, or can reasonably be expected to be, exposed to airborne beryllium.

Respiratory Protection ·     Employers must provide adequate respiratory protection at no cost to their employees. Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) instead of negative pressure respirators must be provided if requested by employees.

·     Employers must ensure that employees use respiratory protection in certain situations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ·     Employers must provide adequate PPE to their employees when:

o  Exposure exceeds, or can reasonably be expected to exceed, the TWA PEL or STEL; and

o  There is reasonable expectation of dermal contact with beryllium.

·     Employers must follow the final rule’s updated standards for appropriate removal, storage, cleaning and replacement of required PPE.

Hazard Communication ·     Employers have to take additional steps to warn and train employees about beryllium hazards.
Housekeeping ·     Employers in the general industry must:

o  Maintain all surfaces in beryllium work areas as free as practicable of beryllium;

o  Clean spills and emergency releases of beryllium promptly;

o  Use appropriate cleaning methods; and

o  Dispose of materials containing or contaminated with beryllium properly.

·     Employers in the shipyard and construction industries must:

o  Follow the required written exposure control plan when cleaning beryllium-contaminated areas;

o  Use appropriate cleaning methods, and

o  Provide beryllium-containing material recipients for use or disposal with a copy of the hazard communication or warning described in the final rule.

Hygiene Areas and Practices ·     Under specified circumstances, employers must provide employees with readily accessible washing facilities and change rooms (access to showers for employee use may also be required by the general industry standard).

·     Employers must take certain steps to minimize exposure in eating and drinking areas.


Appendix A

The final rule also includes Appendix A to the final standard for the general industry. This appendix provides information to employers on recommended control options that employers could use to comply with their requirement to reduce exposure to airborne beryllium in beryllium work areas.

However, compliance with the information in Appendix A is recommend, not required. OSHA stated in the final rule “Appendix A is for informational and guidance purposes only and none of the statements in Appendix A should be construed as imposing a mandatory requirement on employers that is not otherwise imposed by the standard. In addition, this appendix is not intended to detract from any obligation that the rule imposes.”

More Information

Please contact [B_Officialname] or visit the OSHA Beryllium webpage for more information on this topic.

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8 years ago · by · 0 comments

Do You Need R.V. Insurance?

ex_cs30-smallIf you’ve just bought a recreational vehicle. and can’t wait to get on the road. will Auto insurance protect your pride and joy?

That depends. You might want to get an endorsement to your Auto policy that would provide coverage. However, since your R. means so much more to you than just transportation, it’s best to get specialized insurance that a typical Auto policy won’t cover. Recreational Vehicle insurance combines Auto, Homeowners, Renters, and Travel coverages into a single policy that will also insure generators, water pumps and refrigerators – items that standard Auto or Homeowners policies would not cover.

The amount of coverage will depend on the value of the RV and its contents, as well as your driving record.

Before you hit the open road, give us a call our office for a comprehensive policy on your vehicle so that you can get behind the wheel with peace of mind.

Happy trails!

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8 years ago · by · 0 comments

Keep That Rental Car Insured

car_rental_agency-smallYou’re at the airport car rental counter to find a convertible for the weekend — for business, of course. “No problem,” says the sales rep. But before handing you the keys, she asks if you’d like additional Physical Damage coverage. This leaves you with a problem: Should you pay the extra money or trust your own insurance?

Your Business Auto insurance will probably pay for your liability on the business rental, but coverage for damage to the rental vehicle can be more complicated. You might be covered under your Business Auto or Personal Auto policy, or even the credit card that you used to pay for the rental, Depending on the situation, it’s also possible that none of them will pay very much.

To make things even more confusing, laws in a number of states limit your responsibility for damage to the rental – if coverage applies under any of the above, there might still be exclusions and limitations.

To help cut through this confusion, here are a few tips:

  1. Rent from a reputable company. The national car rental firms tend to have standardized contracts with tested language. Local or smaller businesses often develop their own contracts, and without legal assistance it might be nearly impossible to determine exactly what you’ve agreed to.
  2. When in doubt, ask. The person at the rental counter might not be sure about what coverage she’s selling, so be sure to ask to speak to someone who can clearly explain what you are and are not responsible for. If you’re unsure, walk away.
  3. Talk with us before your trip. We’d be happy to explain your options.

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8 years ago · by · 0 comments

Comp Scams: Beware Of These ‘Red Flags’

workers-compensation-smallWorkers Compensation fraud is a widespread and serious problem that’s not only illegal, but leads to higher insurance premiums for all businesses – including yours.

According to industry experts, Comp-related scams often involve one or more of these “red flags.” Although no one sign should necessarily be cause for alarm by itself, two or more should raise suspicions and could trigger an investigation of the claim:

  1. Monday morning report of injury. The alleged injury occurs first thing on Monday, or late Friday afternoon, but is not reported until Monday.
  2. Change in employment status. The reported accident occurs immediately before or after a strike, job termination, layoff, end of a major project, or the conclusion of seasonal work.
  3. Suspicious providers. The claimant’s medical provider or legal consultant has a history of handling dubious claims.
  4. Lack of witnesses. No one else saw the accident and the employee’s description does not support the cause of the injury.
  5. Conflicting descriptions. The employee’s account of the accident doesn’t match with the medical history or injury report.
  6. History of claims. The employee has filed a number of questionable or litigated claims.
  7. Refusal of treatment. The claimant declines a diagnostic procedure to confirm the nature or extent of the injury.
  8. Late reporting. The employee delays reporting the incident without a reasonable explanation.
  9. Elusiveness. The allegedly disabled employee is hard to reach.
  10. Instability. The claimant changes physicians, addresses, or jobs frequently

If one of your workers files a claim that has some of these warning signs, be sure to let us know. We’ll work with you and your Workers Comp carrier to check it out.

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Scurich Insurance Services
Phone: (831) 661-5697
Fax: (831) 661-5741

Physical:
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Suite7,
Aptos, Ca 95003-4700

Mailing:
PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170

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(831) 661-5697

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