Category

Archive

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

Safety Tips for Working Near Power Lines

By | Archive, Uncategorized | No Comments

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

By | Archive, Uncategorized | No Comments

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.

Jun 07
0
workers compensation claims reporting

Why Prompt Workers Compensation Claims Reporting is Important

By | Archive, Uncategorized | No Comments

Here’s why it’s important to report workers compensation claims in a timely manner.

As a business owner, you should already have the proper workers compensation insurance in place. However, simply having this type of coverage isn’t enough to protect your workers and safeguard your company’s assets. When a workers comp claim does arise, it’s also vital that you report the claim in a timely manner. Here’s why prompt claims reporting is important for your business.

Secure Medical Treatment

When you quickly report an accident to your insurance provider, your agent can help you get the injured worker the medical attention they need. Your representative will help you find a good, in-network healthcare provider that will provide good treatment while helping you save on medical expenses.

Reduce the Chance of Litigation

Another reason why you should report workers comp claims in a timely manner is that your insurer can quickly reach out to the injured party. They can address the injured worker’s concerns and clear up any misperceptions that they might have. This, in turn, will reduce the chances of the injured employee pursuing legal action against your company.

Start the Investigation

The sooner you report an incident, the sooner your workers compensation insurer can launch an investigation. This will give them the opportunity to obtain statements before details are lost or stories are changed. This will help you get a clear idea of how the accident occurred and will help you prevent similar incidents in the future.

Meet Reporting Deadlines

Prompt claims reporting ensures the accident is actually investigated before your insurer approves or denies coverage. Reporting in a timely manner ensures you do not have to pay “late reporting” penalties some state entities issue.

This is why it’s important to report workers compensation claims in a timely manner.  Do you have further questions regarding your business’s workers compensation insurance?  Then turn to the experts at Contractors Insurance Agency.  We are ready to assist you with all your coverage needs.

May 10
0
Learning About Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI), what you need to know about EPLI

Learning About Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

By | Archive, Uncategorized | No Comments

Here’s what you need to need to know about EPLI.

In today’s climate, businesses need to be especially wary about lawsuits coming from past, present, and prospective employees. While you might believe that workers compensation or commercial liability insurance will cover these issues, you are mistaken. The best way to protect against these unique liability issues is with employment practices liability insurance (EPLI). Here’s what you need to know about EPLI.

What is EPLI?

EPLI is a type of professional liability insurance that provides coverage for employee-filed lawsuits. This type of coverage usually comes into play over employee allegations of the following:

  • Sexual harassment
  • Discrimination
  • Defamation
  • Retaliation
  • Wrongful termination or demotion
  • Mismanagement of benefits

Do I really need this coverage?

While many business owners believe that their employees would never sue them, this simply isn’t true. Every business, regardless of industry and size, faces the risk of being sued by an employee. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to be guilty to face an accusation. However, the drawn out legal process of proving your innocence could take years, wasting your precious time and draining your company’s finances. Even if your business offers the most in-depth training processes, the most stringent hiring and firing processes, and generally treats their employees well, this simply isn’t enough to completely safeguard your business.

This is what you need to know about EPLI.  Want to get your business the comprehensive commercial coverages it needs to protect itself?  Then don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated team is ready to get you the coverage you need today.

//Function generates a current year and adds language for copyright notice. var currentYear = function() { var d = new Date(); var n = d.getFullYear(); document.querySelector(".copyright-text").innerHTML = '© Copyright ' + n + ' Contractors Insurance Agency'; }// ~end copyright currentYear();