Although most people think of business places as safe and serene, in fact they’re rife with risks, both inside and outside the building. Security experts recommend taking these safety precautions:
Parking Lot Security/Lighting. Because crime flourishes in the dark, implement a “buddy system” to ferry workers to and from their cars. Limit parking lot access to controlled points and have the lots as well lit as possible. In fact, light is such a deterrent to crime that it’s wise to keep your entire facility lit, inside and out, during non-business hours.
Entrance Area Safety. Make sure a receptionist is on duty at all times. Provide a registration system for all visitors (even if they wear the uniform of contract cleaning or other service personnel). Have all doors, windows, and locks checked frequently for proper operation. Use badge or other photo ID systems, with frequent checks of entry code systems. Never let employees prop open a door with a chair so that it doesn’t lock behind them outside on a break.
Suspicious Activity. Urge employees to report any suspicious persons or activity around the building. Never allow employees to open suspicious packages. Instead, report them to the authorities for proper search and disposal.
Information Safety. Unfortunately, it’s increasingly easy for computer hackers or disgruntled employees to steal your organization’s vital business information. To guard against this threat, use the latest security software for your entire system, updated frequently, and make sure to have regular backups for this information. Shred paper documents with critical information as soon as they’re no longer needed.
Equipment Security. Keep an inventory of all your critical equipment, hardware, and software. This is especially important as electronic devices keep shrinking in size, making them easier to conceal and remove. Having an inventory (many experts suggest taking photos of important items) will also make it easier for your insurance carrier to process any claim if anything “goes missing.”
Employee Valuables. Provide secure places, such as lockable drawers and closets, for employee property and encourage their use. Valuables, especially any item that reveals personal information, should be locked away during company gatherings or breaks.
Safety Team. Set up a group of managers and employees who meet regularly with a set agenda.
CSPs gain certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, which is commonly referred to as the BCSP. The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies are responsible for accrediting Certified Safety Professionals in the United States. The ISO/IEC is responsible for international accreditation. To become a CSP, an individual must have a bachelor’s degree in any field or an associate’s degree in health and safety. They must also satisfy the following requirements:
Pass the Comprehensive Practice and Safety Fundamentals exams.
Provide the BCSP with proof of maintaining competency by re-certifying every five years.
Have at least four years of professional safety experience.
Why Companies Should Hire CSPs. Companies that hire CSPs enjoy an enhanced reputation. CSP certification is one of the most coveted credentials in the United States today. Having an individual who is certified in environmental positions, health and safety is an asset. Employers in many fields seek these professionals. They work with not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses, various industries and consulting firms. In addition to this, many lawyers have started using CSPs as expert witnesses in trials where expert testimonies in health and safety are required. They have been involved in cases with OSHA citations, Workers Compensation, injury lawsuits and several other types of court proceedings. Many government and private agencies require CSPs in their contracts for assurance of experience and knowledge.
Employer Benefits of Hiring a CSP. Employers enjoy many benefits from hiring a CSP. The following are some of the most desirable advantages:
The company name is associated with a prestigious global certification.
An individual is identified as a source of expertise by extensive examination.
Company relations with environmental, health and safety communities are improved.
Enhances company reputation by keeping an individual certified in safety, health and environmental positions on staff.
Establishes an examination basis for assessment of employee competency.
Offers easy access to current information on applicable laws, regulations, consensus standards and licenses.
Demonstration to other parties that certificate holders have been tested and deemed competent under the highest standards.
Recognition of the highest level of professionalism in certified health, safety and environmental executives.
Standards of practice for certification maintenance exemplify enhanced professional credibility.
EPA and OSHA standards show recognition of CSP certification in regulations, standards and laws. Many local and state government contracts require CSP services. These professionals continue to grow in value through government, public and employer recognition. They also continue growing in value because of the national accreditation benefit and the high standards they must abide by.
Contact Scurich Insurance today about your Business and Construction Insurance Policy!
Worker stress levels have increased within the past few years as the economic downturn has led to layoffs, heavier workloads, a higher percentage of workers taking second jobs to make ends meet, and declining household incomes, due to family members’ lost wages.
In a recent “Stress in the Workplace” survey by Buck Consultants (www.buckconsultants.com), more than four in five participants (82%) reported that employee stress has a significant or moderate impact on their company’s healthcare costs. A large majority of respondents also said that stress has had a significant or moderate impact on absenteeism (79%) and on workplace safety (77%).
In response to rising employee stress levels, many employers are taking steps to help their workers manage stress. According to the Buck Consultants survey, 66% of participants have implemented four or more programs to reduce on-the-job stress, while 22% have at least eight programs in place.
The survey listed these Top 10 stress-reduction strategies:
Employee assistance programs (78%)
Flexible work schedules (63%)
Work/life balance support programs (46%)
Leadership training on worker stress (45%)
Online healthy lifestyle programs (45%)
On-site fitness centers (43%)
Physical activity programs (38%)
Stress awareness campaigns (35%)
Financial management classes (32%)
Personal health/lifestyle management coaching (29%)
The more effective these programs, the lower the stress on your workers – which adds up to higher productivity and a healthier return on investment.
Here are some great tips to keep you safe on your tractor.
Don’t leave the driver’s seat or cab until you have turned off the engine and made sure the tractor has come to a complete stop. Then take the key with you.
Always be on the lookout for nearby workers on the ground.
Don’t carry passengers or extra riders.
Don’t operate too close to ditches or creeks.
Slow down when operating in fields that contain holes or other hazards resulting in uneven terrain.
Make sure tractors are equipped with ROPS and that seat belts are worn when the ROPS is in the upright and locked position.
Only hitch to the drawbar or to other hitch points specified by the manufacturer.
Make sure all loads are secure, balanced, and not too heavy for your tractor to handle.
Check your lighting, brakes, and the condition of your slow-moving vehicle emblem (SMV) before operating on a roadway.
Contact Us now or connect with us on these popular social sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
Directors and officers can be personally sued by share holders, creditors, employees, suppliers, customers, competitors or regulators. Suits can be bought for various reasons. Shareholders might sue for insider trading. Creditors might sue for misrepresenting the financial health of the company. Competitors might sue for anti-trust or unfair trade practices.
Being personally sued can be crippling for individual directors or officers. Just the risk of lawsuits might cause qualified individuals to refuse to take director or officer positions, or it could motivate existing officers or directors to act with excessive caution in pursuing a corporation’s interests.By insuring in Scurich Insurance Services directors or officers against personal liability for their own wrongful acts, D&O insurance addresses these concerns.
Any publicly traded company with a corporate board or advisory committee should consider director and officers liability insurance. Non-profit organizations and private companies could benefit as well from the protection offered by directors and officers liability insurance.
Violations of state laws resulting in fines or penalties
Pollution and nuclear waste.
Libel, slander and false imprisonment
Employment discrimination or wrongful termination
Cases involving insured-against-insured actions (i.e., one director suing another)
Failure to maintain proper insurance
Punitive damages.
Frequently Excluded:
D&O policies cover claims made during the policy period. It doesn’t matter when the wrongful acts occurred. A claim arising from a lawsuit filed this year for a wrongful act committed last year is covered by this year’s policy. Directors and Officers Insuranceis being customized for the unique needs of each client at Scurich Insurance Services. Coverage is generally for some fixed level of claims per year.
We found this video of these adorable twins speaking with each other, and of course we understood every word! We understand all of our customer needs even when its baby talk!
If you would like to learn more about Scurich Insurance and how they can protect you, please contact us. Check us out on Facebook.
