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Aug 23
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Equipment Breakdown Coverage Explained, insuring your business’s equipment

Equipment Breakdown Coverage Explained

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Stop for a moment and imagine what would happen if an essential piece of business equipment experienced some kind of breakdown. You would miss deadlines, halt production, and more.  It’s easy to see why it is important to be insuring your business’s equipment. This is where equipment breakdown coverage comes in.

What does equipment breakdown insurance cover?

As the name suggests, equipment breakdown insurance offers coverage for the equipment your business utilizes.   It offers coverage for events such as mechanical breakdown, electrical arcing, boiler explosion, and so on. Should your equipment experience these types of issues, your policy would offer compensation for repairs or replacement.

Equipment breakdown insurance extends coverage to the following types of equipment:

  • Electrical
  • Air Conditioning
  • Refrigeration
  • Boiler and Pressure Vessel
  • Computer and Communications
  • Mechanical
  • Renewable and Alternative Energy
  • Production Systems

Do I really need this insurance?

Commercial property insurance offers coverage for equipment that is damaged or lost as a result of vandalism, theft, fire, and so on however it will not extend coverage to equipment damaged due to internal breakdown or malfunction. Only equipment breakdown coverage will ensure that you receive the immediate equipment repairs or replacement that your business needs.

Do you have additional questions regarding your business’s insurance? Please do not hesitate to contact the experts at Contractors Insurance Agency.  We are ready to assist you with all your commercial coverage needs today.

Aug 09
0
helping during a workers comp claim

The Importance of Cooperation During a Workers Comp Investigation

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Here’s why you need to cooperate during a workers compensation insurance investigation.

As a business owner, you are probably aware that an injured or ill employee will likely file a workers compensation insurance claim. Not only is it important to report this claim in a timely manner, but it is also vital that you do what you can to assist with the investigation.

By cooperating with your claims adjuster, you can ensure that the claim process is handled quickly and efficiently. Additionally, your assistance can even help the claims adjuster identify possible third-party involvement.

How to cooperate during the claims process

  • Anytime an employee is involved in an accident, you should require supervisor reports that record the initial details of the incident. This way, if the employee does decide to file a claim, you will have the details of the event recorded so the information cannot be forgotten or changed.
  • You should also help your claims adjuster gather witness statements and speak to the injured employee. For instance, you can help schedule meetings between your employees and the adjuster. Additionally, if a meeting cannot be organized, you can supply your adjuster with the injured worker’s personal contact information.
  • When meeting with your claims adjuster, you should be sure to inform them about any concerns or issues you may have. Something that seems insignificant at first could have a huge impact on how the claim actually turns out.

In addition to these things, you can also help your adjuster identify third-party involvement in a claim.

Here are some of the things that you can do to help.

  • If your adjuster suspects that a product defect or machine malfunction has something to do with the employee’s injury, you should make an effort to preserve the scene of the incident. This means removing the suspected machine from production to allow for further investigation.
  • You can also play an important role in preserving the scene by taking pictures immediately after the incident takes place. This will allow you to capture details that your adjuster might not be able to recreate.
  • Finally, sharing police reports, contracts, and other documents with your adjuster can be important in helping them determine third-party involvement.

These are some of the ways in which you can cooperate during a workers compensation insurance claims investigation.  Do you have further questions regarding your business’s insurance needs?  Then contact the experts at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated team is ready to get you the coverage that you need today.

Jul 26
0
learn how to lift safely

Learn this Safe Lifting Technique

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Lifting and carrying materials is a common occurrence in the workplace, however, many business owners fail to teach their employees the proper technique for handling this task. While this may not seem like a serious issue, more that 700 back injuries occur every day as a result of unsafe lifting practices.

While having the right workers compensation insurance will assist any employees that injure themselves in a workplace accident, you can prevent these incidents from happening in the first place. The best way to accomplish this is by teaching your employees how they can safely lift and carry loads.

Here’s what a safe lifting technique entails.

1) Planning

During the planning stage, you should assess the size of the load and ensure that you can safely carry it by yourself. If the load is too large or cumbersome, you should seek assistance. You should also scan the load for any hazards such as protruding nails, splinters, or rough edges. Next, you should ensure that your route is clear of any walking hazards or obstacles. Finally, you should don the appropriate safety gear such as gloves, safety shoes, a back belt, and so on.

2) Lifting

After the planning stage, it’s time to execute the lift. Start by getting as close to the load as possible. Then firmly plant your feet shoulder-width apart so you can maintain your balance. Keep your back straight and your stomach muscles taunt as you bend at your knees and lift with your legs. Lift the load in a smooth motion, making sure not to twist your body. If you need to turn, use your feet to shift your body.

3) Carrying

As you carry the load, hold it as close to your body as possible. Watch where you’re walking; you should never carry something so large that it obstructs your vision. As you carry your load, keep your back straight and your stomach muscles tensed. Take extra caution as you move up and down the stairs.

4) Lowering

When lowering the load, it is again important that you keep your back straight and the load close to your body. You should squat, bending at your knees to bring the load down. Do not stretch or overreach when trying to set the load in position; simply set it down and then maneuver.

You should teach your employees to follow this technique to reduce the chances of someone suffering a serious back injury.  Remember, having the right workers compensation insurance is always a good precaution to take.  For assistance with your business’s insurance needs, contact the experts at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated team is ready to get you the coverage that you need today.

Jul 12
0
Safety Tips for Working Near Power Lines, working near overhead power lines

Safety Tips for Working Near Power Lines

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Contrary to what you might think, serious injuries and even death is when working with overhead power lines is quite common. Roofers, heavy equipment operators, crane operators, and tree trimmers are just a few of the many professions that face the risk of dangerous power lines.

If you are in an industry that might be at risk, try out these suggestions to stay safe while working near overhead power lines.

Training and Pre-Planning

You should start by training your workers about the potential hazards they face when working in close proximity with power lines. When your employees are aware of the danger they face, they are far more likely to act carefully and responsibly. Another important part of staying safe is pre-planning. Identify the locations where your workers will be close to power lines, figure out the voltage of these lines, and what the weather conditions will look like at the time you will be working. Knowing these conditions beforehand will help you put a safety plan in place.

Maintain a Safe Distance

Anytime you are near a power line, you should be sure to maintain a safe distance away from the line. Usually, you should stay at least ten feet away. However, depending on voltage of the line and wind conditions, you may have to stay farther away. Electricity can arc through the air.

Avoid Working in Wet Conditions

If it is especially humid, raining, or snowing, you should not attempt to work near a power line. Water can conduct an electric current, making it more likely for electricity to arc through the air in damp conditions. If work must be completed, it’s important to contact the power company and seek a safety solution. They might be able to cover the lines with insulated blankets, or de-energize the lines for a temporary period of time. If de-energizing is necessary, this normally needs to be planned in advance, as it may impact local homes and businesses.

Safely working near overhead power lines requires considerable planning and the appropriate precautions.

Remember, having the right workers compensation insurance in place is another important precaution you should take.  For assistance with your business’s coverage needs, contact the team at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our experts are ready to get you the coverage that you need today.

Jun 21
0
Look Out for These Summer Construction Hazards, keep your construction crew safe this summer

Look Out for These Summer Construction Hazards

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Keep your construction crew safe this summer.

While summer is a prime time for completing long-term construction projects or catching up on projects that were delayed during the unpredictable winter months, summer can hold serious risks for your workers. Here are some of the hazards you should look out for if you want to keep your construction crew safe this summer.

Heat-Related Illnesses

When temperatures rise above the mid-80s, the risk of heat-related illnesses and medical conditions increases rapidly. Heat stroke, also known as sun stroke, is one of the most serious summer hazards for construction crews that are working outdoors. Because heat stroke can strike very quickly and have fatal results, it’s incredibly important to be on the lookout for any workers displaying symptoms of the illness. Tell-tale symptoms include high temperature, confusion, dizziness, nausea, lack of sweat, and so on. If you notice any of your workers displaying these signs, do your best to lower their body temperature and call for medical assistance.

Sunburn

Sunburn is one of the most common summer-related health issues that construction workers face. While sunburn might seem like a minor issue, sun exposure can actually cause second and third-degree burns. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can even lead to more long-term issues such as basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and other skin cancers. If you crew is working in the sun, make sure that they wear heavy duty sunscreens and make sure they reapply frequently. Additionally, advise them to cover up as much skin as possible to further protect against sunburns.

Dehydration

Finally, being out in hot temperatures can cause your workers to become dehydrated. Becoming dehydrated can make the likelihood of developing serious heat-related illness more common. To prevent this issue, encourage your workers to drink frequently. You can also encourage your crew to stay hydrated by providing cool water or other drinks onsite.

Keep your construction crew safe this summer by watching out for these hazards.  Want another way to take care of your workers?  Then make sure you have the right insurance protections in place.  To find the right policies to meet your business’s needs, contact the experts at Contractors Insurance Agency.

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