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Apr 26
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understanding your workers comp risk

Your Workers Comp Risk Might Be Higher Than You Think

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You might associate workers compensation risk with industries such as construction,  but that doesn’t exclude your business. In fact, every business in the world has some element of risk.

Here’s what you need to know about risk at your business and how workers compensation insurance can help.

Every Business Has Risk

Whether it’s an on-the-job injury or a work-related illness, there’s always a chance that your business will face a workers compensation issue. This is why almost every state requires businesses to carry  workers compensation insurance.

If you are in a physically demanding industry such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, shipping, etc., it’s incredibly important to have workers compensation coverage in place. However, even office workers need this protection. It’s important to remember that office workers face issues such as repetitive motion injuries and illness caused by exposure to workplace toxins. Additionally, issues such as slips and falls, getting hit by a falling object, malfunctioning equipment, and so on can affect every business regardless of industry.

Reducing Risk

There are some precautions you can take to help you reduce your risk of a workers compensation issue. For instance, workplace health and safety training. This can ensure your employees are using the safest work practices and adhering to company safety protocol. Additionally, keeping your workplace safe and addressing potential hazards can lower your risk for employee injury. Having the right workers compensation insurance will help your business handle the other risks that you cannot completely eradicate, such as the risk of accident.

Watch out for the risk of employee injury and illness at your business.  Interested in getting the right workers compensation insurance to meet your needs?  Then contact the team at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated team is ready to get you the coverage you need today.

Apr 12
6
Preventing Repetitive Stress Injuries, prevent repetitive stress injuries

Preventing Repetitive Stress Injuries

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Take steps to prevent repetitive stress injuries.

Repetitive strain injuries usually refer to injuries caused by continuous, repetitive movements.  These types of injuries can cost employers some serious money in workers compensation costs.  Luckily, there are steps that you can take to reduce your employees’ chances of developing these injuries.  Here are some of the steps you can take to prevent repetitive stress injuries.

Create Ergonomic Workstations

While many offices set up employee workstations to accommodate a wide range of employees, this efficiency is not good for the body.  Instead, workstations should be set up in a way that suits the individual employee.  For instance, the most frequently used desk equipment should remain in easy reach and monitors and keyboards should be placed at the appropriate height for workers.  Additionally, if your employees spend a long time at their desks, then you should make sure that their chairs offer the proper back and neck support.

Follow Safe Work Practices

You can also prevent stress injuries by encouraging your workers to employ safe working practices.  For instance, your employees should always have the right tools for the job they are trying to complete and they should also follow the proper protocol for doing things like lifting.  Additionally, if your employees often get stuck completing the same repetitive tasks, make sure that take frequent breaks or have the opportunity to take on different tasks.

Promote Personal Health

Finally, repetitive stress injuries are less common in people who are in good health.  This is why you should make an effort to encourage your employees to take better care of themselves.  Encourage them to eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.  This will also help them reduce their chances of sustaining a stress injury.

Take these steps to prevent repetitive stress injuries.  Want another way to take care of your employees?  Then make sure you have the right business insurance protections in place.  To get the coverage your business needs, contact us at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated team is ready to assist you today.

Mar 22
6
Recognizing, Categorizing, and Documenting Workplace Incidents and Near Misses, workplace incidents and near misses

Addressing Workplace Incidents and Near Misses

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While you might strive to create a hazard-free work environment, there will always be situations that reveal gaps in your safety system.  However, properly recognizing these issues and determining the proper follow-up procedures is a great way to bolster your workplace safety.  To help determine the proper course of action, here’s the difference between workplace incidents and near misses and how to deal with them.

Workplace Incidents

A workplace incident is an unplanned, unwanted event that interferes with the completion of a task and causes injury, health-related issues, or other damages.  If an incident takes place, you need to conduct an investigation, determine the cause, and develop a plan to prevent it from happening again.

Workplace Near Misses

A near miss is a situation that could have quickly become an incident given a slight shift in time, distance, situation, etc.  These are usually issues that could have resulted in injury, health-related issues, or other types of damage.

Investigating and Documenting Incidents and Near Misses

When an incident takes place, begin your investigation and documentation of the situation quickly.  Even if the situation does not result in damage, consider investigating near misses to ensure they do not become an incident in the future.  Your investigation and documentation procedure should follow these steps:

  1. Evaluate and document the scene.
  2. Investigate the safety incident.
  3. Interview the people involved in the incident.
  4. Document the details of the incident.
  5. Ensure that you are protecting the privacy of those involved.
  6. Review the investigation.

Properly addressing workplace incidents and near misses will help you improve your workplace safety.  Want another way to keep your business safe?  Make sure you have the proper business insurance protections in place.  To find the right policies to meet you needs, contact the experts at Contractors Insurance Agency.  We are ready to get you covered today.

Mar 08
6
get you staff involved in safety

How to Engage Your Employees in Safety

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As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your workers.  Having the right business insurance is one way to protect your employees, but there are other steps you can take to keep them safe.  For instance, getting your employees engaged with safety is a great way to ensure that they are taking things seriously.  Here are some tips to help you get your workers interested in safety.

Involve Them in the Decision-Making Process

Not only can involving your employees in important safety decisions make them feel valued and appreciated, but they are also more likely to adhere to the decisions made.

Ask for Feedback

Another way to engage your employees is by asking for their feedback and taking it seriously.  Your employees are on the front lines, and oftentimes can recognize potential safety concerns management might overlook.  When your employees see you are taking their concerns seriously and intend to follow through, they will feel validated and more willing to acknowledge the safety measures that address the problem they brought up.

Establish a Common Cause

Finally, you should work with your employees to set common safety goals.  For instance, you can hold a meeting and have everyone brainstorm ideas on how to improve workplace safety.  Additionally, you should consider organizing a safety committee.  This will keep your employees motivated to make safety their priority.  By keeping the lines of communication open when it comes to safety issues, you ensure your workers are invested in workplace safety.

These are some of the things you should do to get your employees more invested in their safety.  Want another way to keep your employees and business safe?  Make sure you have the proper business insurance protections in place.  To find the right policies to meet your needs, contact the professionals at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated team is ready to get you’re the coverage you need today.

Feb 22
6
lower risk for workers compensation claims

The Reality of Legal Liability

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When you started your own business, your legal liability was probably the last thing on your mind.  However, it’s important that you understand just how major your business’s liability risks are.  Here are some of the situations in which your business could be held legally responsible.

Injuries on Your Property

One of the most common liability issues that business owners face is the threat of customers injuring themselves while on company property.  For instance, if a customer slips on ice outside your store, you might be responsible for their medical costs.  Additionally, they could take you to court and try to win more of your business’s money.

Injuries Caused by Your Products

Imagine that a customer shocks him- or herself on the toaster that they purchased from your store.  Even though you did not manufacturer the faulty toaster, you can still be held partially liable for your customer’s injury.  This is because you, as a store owner, benefitted from the sale of the faulty product.  Should the customer file a lawsuit, you might find yourself out some serious cash.

Injuries Caused by People You Served Alcohol To

If you own a restaurant or bar, you might be liable for the acts committed by people you served alcohol to.  In some cases, you will be held responsible even if these acts are committed after the customer has left your business’s premises.  While this liability law does depend on your state, if your state upholds this regulation, you can be held liable for drunk driving accidents and other very serious legal issues.

Unfortunately, your business faces some very serious liability risks.  Luckily, there are things that you can do to mitigate your risk.  For instance, having the right business insurance policies in place can help you protect your business.  Need assistance in finding the right coverage for your business’s needs?  Then contact the team at Contractors Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated professionals are ready to assist you with all your insurance needs.

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