On Jan. 26, 2023, OSHA announced it issued new enforcement guidance making its penalties more effective to stop employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with workplace safety and health requirements.
Read MoreIf you own a landscaping business, you know things happen! Some mistakes aren’t preventable, even when you take every precaution. What can be prevented is how much your business suffers financially when things go wrong. You might think the only mistakes you have to worry about are made in a regular day’s work. In reality, the biggest mistake you can make is not protecting yourself before the mistake ever happens.
Read MoreViolations of workplace health and safety standards and subsequent OSHA citations can impact organizations of all sizes and sectors. In addition to highlighting unaddressed safety hazards, these citations often carry a number of consequences, including costly penalties, diminished workforce morale and widespread reputational damages. This case study outlines a recent OSHA citation and explains what the affected organization could have done to avoid it.
Read MoreDiscovering dishonesty in the workplace can come as a shock to employers. We want to believe our employees are trustworthy, but that trust can be destroyed when a dishonest employee is caught stealing something: merchandise, company secrets, money or security.
Read MoreThe Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is federal legislation that will require LLCs and corporations with fewer than 20 employees to start reporting ownership information to the federal government in 2024. Here are details that may apply to your small business.
Read MoreMany commercial property policies detail duties insureds owe to their carrier following a loss. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities can potentially lead to denied claims, delayed payments and unrenewed or even canceled policies. Here are common duties most policies require insureds to uphold in the event of a loss.
Read MoreThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace safety in the United States. Is your company in compliance with its codes? By following these four pillars of health and safety compliance, you can uphold OSHA’s standards and ensure a safe workplace.
Read MoreAuto parts and supply stores are a booming business, but employees in this industry face various risks, from lifting and handling materials to cutting open boxes of new stock. Learn what employers can do to ensure workers stay safe on the job.
Read MoreEntering into a contractual relationship can expose your company to significant contract liability. Implementing standard safeguards indicates a well-rounded risk management program that guards against potential losses. An organization should require a contractor to assume liability arising out of the contractor’s negligent conduct, delivery of products, services or activities.
Read MoreWhen a hacker infiltrates your system, paying their ransom demand right away might not be the best approach. One’s first instinct might be to pay, pay, pay. Data is locked up tight, and sensitive client, customer and employee information is on the line … not to mention business reputability and operations. But paying a hacker outright might not be the best first step.
Read MoreSocial engineering scams manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information via a phishing email or other email compromise - and they are getting more sophiscated. Learn why small businesses must stay vigilant throughout the holiday season and be on the alert for social engineering scams involving fraudulent vendors.
Read MoreAs companies start getting ready for the busy holiday season, many may focus on attracting customers and hiring seasonal workers quickly. However, it’s important to keep employee safety in mind, too. Find out some of the top mistakes employers make when hiring seasonal workers – and what they can do to avoid them.
Read MoreOn Oct. 11, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule to rescind and replace its 2021 independent contractor classification rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If the rule is adopted, employers need to consider the “totality of the circumstances” in their worker classification efforts.
Read MoreFire hazards are in every area of a business, and causes are diverse—ranging from faulty wiring or machinery to dust, chemicals, hot work and even poor housekeeping. Even though there are countless ways a fire can start, here are five areas that you may not realize are severe risks. Since fires are so devastating to property and lives, it’s one concern that should keep managers and employees on constant alert.
Read MoreControlling costs is essential to running a profitable business. If you don’t keep track of your operating expenses, it can become nearly impossible to catch issues that reduce your business’s profitability. You may even risk allowing operating costs to spiral out of control and land your books in the red. That’s where cost control comes in.
Read MoreTheft of catalytic converters has skyrocketed in recent years due to the highly valuable precious metals they contain. The National Insurance Crime Bureau found that the number of reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018 to more than 52,000 in 2021. See why catalytic converters get stolen and how vehicle owners can prevent their theft.
Read MoreDoes your business rely on employees using their own vehicles for work? If so, you may have automobile loss exposures for which you’re unaware, putting your business’s assets at risk. So before you send your employees out on the road on company business in their own cars and trucks, be sure you’ve put the proper controls in place, to protect both your employees and your company.
Read MoreWhen purchasing or renewing a commercial property insurance, it’s vital for businesses to ensure such coverage includes correct property valuations. Doing so can make all the difference in providing sufficient protection and preventing coinsurance penalties amid covered property losses.
Read MoreAs cyber attacks become more and more common, protecting your data is increasingly difficult. In light of the growing number of cyber attacks, many companies are turning to two-factor authentication to enhance their cyber security. While no cyber security method is foolproof, using two-factor authentication can add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. So how exactly does two-factor authentication work?
Read MoreIn the scope of workers’ compensation coverage, inflation issues have become increasingly evident through various sector trends—including labor shifts, rising wages, higher medical expenses and rate adequacy challenges. With this in mind, it’s important for businesses to better understand these trends and learn what they can do to mitigate inflation concerns within their workers’ compensation programs.
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