Workplace injuries are a common occurrence. Eye injuries, in particular, happen with alarmingly frequency. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), an astounding 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces each day. The costs – both to employer and employee – are astronomical. In addition to the more than $300 million in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation, 10 to 20 percent of workplace eye injuries cause temporary or permanent vision loss. The majority are caused by chemicals or foreign objects in the eye or cuts or scrapes to the cornea.

A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) survey revealed that nearly 60 percent of workers who sustained eye injuries were not wearing eye protection at the time. Eye specialists say proper protective equipment could prevent or at least lessen the severity of 90 percent of all workplace eye injuries. Prevent Blindness America has recognized more than 86,000 people whose vision was spared because they were wearing proper eye protection in the workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) eye and face protection standard (1910.133) mandates “the employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.”

The protective equipment to be worn depends on the specific workplace hazards. Following are brief descriptions of the various types of available eye and face safety equipment:

• Non-Prescription and Prescription Safety Glasses – Provide protection for working conditions where dust, chips, or flying particles are a concern. Available in glass, plastic, polycarbonate and Trivex materials, these specialized glasses feature much stronger lenses and frames than regular glasses. They are required to meet the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and feature a Z87 designation on the lens or frame. Additional protection can be provided by adding side shields or tinted lenses or using wraparound safety glasses.
• Goggles – Provide protection from impact, dust, and chemical splashes. In addition to being highly resistant to impacts, Goggles provide a shield around the entire eye, protecting against hazards from every direction. Goggles are especially versatile because they can be worn over prescription glasses or contact lenses.
• Face Shields – Provide protection from chemicals, heat, or blood borne pathogens. They should never be worn as the sole means of eye protection. Rather, face shields must be worn in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles. This practice provides an additional layer of protection and serves to protect the user’s eyes when the shield is lifted.
• Helmets – Provide protection when welding or working with molten materials. Like face shields, helmets should never be worn as the sole means of eye protection, but must be worn in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles. Helmets with special filters are available to protect the eyes from optical radiation exposure. They are best used when welding or working with lasers or fiber optics.

Protecting employees from workplace hazards is critical. However, providing the proper eye and face safety equipment is only the first step. Such equipment must be properly fitted and maintained to ensure peak protective capabilities. Furthermore, protective eye and face equipment must be stored carefully to avoid damage that will lessen diminish its ability to shield employees from potentially debilitating injuries. To discuss your company’s safety initiatives, contact The Foley Insurance Group.

It’s been said that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Business owners and executives can add risk to that short list. Every kind of business is subject to risk, from technical failures and natural disasters to financial, operational, and reputation risks. Staffing companies are certainly no exception.

Since risk is an integral part of doing business, it stands to reason that risk management also must be an essential component of doing business. Traditionally, risk management has entailed identifying and assessing potential threats to a business. Risk management consultants provide an independent, objective analysis of these threats, then provide counsel on how best to protect the organization through insurance and other risk-related services. They are not engaged in the actual sale of insurance, rather they advise organizations as to what kinds of insurance they need. Organizations must then consult an insurance agent to acquire the recommended coverage. In some cases, it may be required to comply with state and/or federal laws. (Think workers’ compensation insurance.)

Inadequate analysis of – or response to – risk can cause serious damage to an organization and/or its people. Thus, it’s critical to select appropriate insurance and risk management partners. While large organizations may be able to justify hiring a full-time, in-house risk manager, the majority of organizations rely on a risk management consultant to perform this crucial role. Even the smallest entrepreneurial company cannot possibly keep up with the increasingly complex, technical field of risk management.

Finding qualified risk management and insurance partners that are well-suited to your industry and your specific company can be complicated. Following are several tips to help you accomplish this crucial task:

• Seek Advice: Ask other trusted advisors who they would (or would not) recommend. Lawyers, bankers, accountants, and human resource consultants all belong to networks of professionals. Be sure to consult others in your industry, as their needs are likely to be similar to yours.
• Do Your Homework: Interview any potential partner in person. Ask them to clearly state how what they can bring to your business. Evaluate whether they have a thorough understanding of your industry and experience working with similar companies. Be sure to ask to see their client list. Oftentimes, someone’s best credentials can be assessed by reviewing who they have served in the past. Pay special attention to clients of your size and industry.
• Don’t Be Cheap: The value of experience cannot be underestimated when risk management and insurance partners. Hire the most qualified individual(s) you can find. It may cost you a bit more upfront, but the long-term savings (both monetarily and otherwise) will be far greater.

A well thought-out and executed approach to risk management and insurance not only provides protection against the multitude of things that can harm an organization and its people, it also provides peace of mind. For assistance with your firm’s approach to risk management, contact The Foley Insurance Group.

It’s been said that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Business owners and executives can add risk to that short list. Every kind of business is subject to risk, from technical failures and natural disasters to financial, operational, and reputation risks. Staffing companies are certainly no exception.

Since risk is an integral part of doing business, it stands to reason that risk management also must be an essential component of doing business. Traditionally, risk management has entailed identifying and assessing potential threats to a business. Risk management consultants provide an independent, objective analysis of these threats, then provide counsel on how best to protect the organization through insurance and other risk-related services. They are not engaged in the actual sale of insurance, rather they advise organizations as to what kinds of insurance they need. Organizations must then consult an insurance agent to acquire the recommended coverage. In some cases, it may be required to comply with state and/or federal laws. (Think workers’ compensation insurance.)

Inadequate analysis of – or response to – risk can cause serious damage to an organization and/or its people. Thus, it’s critical to select appropriate insurance and risk management partners. While large organizations may be able to justify hiring a full-time, in-house risk manager, the majority of organizations rely on a risk management consultant to perform this crucial role. Even the smallest entrepreneurial company cannot possibly keep up with the increasingly complex, technical field of risk management.

Finding qualified risk management and insurance partners that are well-suited to your industry and your specific company can be complicated. Following are several tips to help you accomplish this crucial task:

• Seek Advice: Ask other trusted advisors who they would (or would not) recommend. Lawyers, bankers, accountants, and human resource consultants all belong to networks of professionals. Be sure to consult others in your industry, as their needs are likely to be similar to yours.
• Do Your Homework: Interview any potential partner in person. Ask them to clearly state how what they can bring to your business. Evaluate whether they have a thorough understanding of your industry and experience working with similar companies. Be sure to ask to see their client list. Oftentimes, someone’s best credentials can be assessed by reviewing who they have served in the past. Pay special attention to clients of your size and industry.
• Don’t Be Cheap: The value of experience cannot be underestimated when risk management and insurance partners. Hire the most qualified individual(s) you can find. It may cost you a bit more upfront, but the long-term savings (both monetarily and otherwise) will be far greater.

A well thought-out and executed approach to risk management and insurance not only provides protection against the multitude of things that can harm an organization and its people, it also provides peace of mind. For assistance with your firm’s approach to risk management, contact The Foley Insurance Group.

Protecting workers from on-the-job hazards is important for employers for a variety of reasons. As most employers know, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established in 1970 in conjunction with the Occupational Health and Safety Act which was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously injured at work.

OSHA standards require employers to provide a safe and healthy working environment free of known dangers. Employers must limit the amount of hazardous chemical exposure and keep detailed logs of injuries and illnesses. They are required to follow all OSHA safety and health standards – providing protective equipment such as masks, gloves and ear plugs. OSHA further dictates that employers strive to reduce hazards by switching to safer chemicals, trapping harmful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clean the air.

While OSHA guidelines vary from industry to industry, there are several standards that apply to all workplaces:

• Hazard Communication Standard – Employers must prepare and implement a written Hazard Communication Program to ensure that any workers who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals understand how to protect themselves. Employees whose job requires them to handle hazardous materials must be provided with protective gear at the employer’s expense.
• Emergency Action Plan Standard – OSHA strongly recommends that employers have a written Emergency Action Plan describing the actions employees should take to ensure their safety in an emergency situation. It should include an evacuation policy, along with emergency escape procedures and route assignments such as floor plans and workplace maps. The plan should be kept in the workplace where it can be reviewed by all employees.
• Fire Safety – All employers are encouraged to have a fire prevention plan, including an emergency evacuation system and a regular schedule of replacing fire alarms. OSHA also dictates how many fire extinguishers must be provided in each area and specifies the design of sprinkler systems, dependent upon the type of business.
• Exit Routes – Employers are required to provide a continuous, unobstructed path from any point in the workplace to a place of safety. Exit routes must be well-lit and free of any explosive or highly flammable furnishings or decorations. Employers must install “EXIT” signs in plainly legible letters, and signs must be posted along the route indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit. Any doors or passages along the route which could be mistaken for an exit must be clearly marked “Not an Exit.”
• Walking/Working Surfaces – Recognizing that slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry workplace accidents, OSHA requires employers to make sure that all work spaces and areas are free of debris and clutter. Flooring cannot have holes or be loose or wet. Guardrails must be installed as needed and equipment must be positioned far enough apart so that workers can easily walk around it.
• Medical and First Aid – Employers are required to provide medical and first aid personnel and supplies commensurate with the specific hazards of the workplace. In other words, the exact details of a workplace medical and first aid program are dependent on a particular workplace environment. It is the responsibility of the employer to determine their specific medical and first aid needs.

Under the Department of Labor (DOL), OSHA vigorously enforces these guidelines, investigating complaints, conducting inspections without advance notice, and issuing correctional actions as necessary. For additional guidance on OSHA requirements, visit osha.gov or contact The Foley Insurance Group.

Many people own expensive Jewelry, Furs, Golf Equipment and other types of property that can be scheduled on personal insurance policies via an endorsement to the policy. The common endorsement employed provides expanded coverage on specific types of personal property. There are several advantages to an insured in utilizing this endorsement. First, the insurance can be tailored to the particular type of personal property, such as a valuable fur coat. Second, broader coverage can be obtained on an all-risks basis, as compared to the named perils provided under the homeowners policy. For example, if John Smith schedules his Rolex watch and accidentally drops it in the garage and this ruins it, coverage applies since this is not an excluded peril for jewelry. Third, the desired amount of insurance can be chosen. In the absence of this endorsement, the homeowners form places restrictive limits on many types of personal property.

This endorsement affords coverage for nine types of property with specified exceptions. This broadened coverage provides insureds greater protection for their valuable items. This is particularly valuable for jewelry and furs, as these are limited to only $1,500 in coverage for theft under the homeowners form.

The following types of property can be scheduled:

• Jewelry
• Furs and garments
• Cameras and related items
• Musical instruments and related items
• Silverware and related items
• Golfer’s equipment
• Fine Arts
• Postage stamps
• Rare and current coins

Each article needs to be described and the amount of insurance needs to be listed on the endorsement schedule. Many insurers also require appraisals (from a qualified appraiser) less than 3-5 years old. In addition, any deductible stated in the policy does not apply to the coverage in this endorsement.

With the exception of (a) fine arts and (b) postage stamps and coins (insured on a blanket basis), the insurer will pay the lesser of:

• Actual cash value at the time of the loss
• Amount necessary to repair the covered item
• Amount necessary to replace the covered item
• Amount of insurance shown on the schedule

It is also possible to employ a similar endorsement where the value of the property is “agreed” between the insured and the insurer.

As always, the insured should refer to their policy for any exclusions or conditions that might apply. Common exclusions for this coverage enhancement include:

• Wear and tear
• Insects or vermin
• War
• Nuclear hazard
• Repairing and restoration of fine arts
• Breakage for specified fine arts for certain perils
• Property on exhibition
• Fading, creasing, denting, or disappearance of stamps or coins

Coverage applies on a worldwide basis.

To consumers, it can seem like umbrella coverage is just one more insurance product to fit into a budget where they’re already spending what seems to be ever-increasing dollars on various forms of coverage. A closer look shows that umbrella insurance is one of the most cost-efficient products on the market.

The purpose of umbrella insurance is to pick up where previous coverage leaves off. If you own auto and homeowners’ coverage with a $500,000 limit on each policy and a claim against you goes higher than that, to say $1,000,000, the umbrella coverage picks up the excess amount. It does not matter if the claim is in regards to auto, homeowners or even something outside the normal realm of coverage—hence, the term “umbrella.”

For those who are skeptical of the need for umbrella insurance, the argument against it would be straightforward—they have enough coverage to defend all claims that are reasonably likely to come against them. If they rear-end a car and the other driver gets whiplash, they’re covered. If someone gets injured in their home, they’re covered. But there are other circumstances to consider.

The Financial Risk of Exposure

The first thing to consider is that rising medical costs mean that even liability for situations such as those above are increasing rapidly and can easily go above current policy limits. The other factor is that there are a large number of considerations that don’t fall within the coverage areas of standard insurance policies. Let’s say the parents of two teenagers go out for an evening, and, in spite of repeated admonitions, the kids have their peers over for a couple hours of underage drinking. The guests leave before the parents return and get into a car accident. Who’s liable? The parents. Who pays? Without other forms of coverage, they do. In a real-life example, a man put a “No Trespassing Sign” on his yard. Two young kids ignored it, went on to his property and ended up falling through the ice on his pond and drowning. In spite of the sign, he was still held liable and had to sell his property to pay the settlement.

What if a policyholder is sued without cause? The lawsuit may be dismissed, but the attorney fees won’t be—and having the insurance carrier on your side is a mixed blessing at best, as the bill for the hours put in by their corporate lawyers will come your direction. Financial costs associated with false arrest, libel and slander are other examples.

Affordable & Efficient

If umbrella coverage were expensive, it would be easy to understand a policyholder dismissing the possibilities. But the reality is that it’s very affordable. $1 million worth of coverage can usually be purchased for $150-$200 a year—less than $20 a month. In an age where it seems we have to insure against everything, umbrella coverage is perhaps the most efficient means the marketplace has for guarding against the array of catastrophic possibilities that lurk. Contact the Foley Group for a free quote today.
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“Information is the world’s most valuable commodity.” So said the fictional character Gordon Gekko in the 1987 movie Wall Street. What’s true for Wall Street is also true for Main Street and identity theft is a growing exposure that everyone needs to be aware of and limit.

The crime commonly referred to as “identity theft” is really more impersonation. The thief obtains your personal information and in some way is able to present himself or herself as you in order to obtain benefits—usually credit. The information can be obtained in ways ranging from the high-tech to the most down-to-earth. On one end of the scale computer hackers are using so-called “Trojan horse” programs to get your data straight off your computer. On the other end of the spectrum you have “dumpster divers” going into your garbage to find discarded bank statements and other correspondence that might have your bank routing number on it. In between these extremes are scams such as bogus job offers that enable the thief to accumulate resumes with everyone’s personal info on it. Reviewing social networking sites such as Facebook enables criminals to find more information—depending on how high-level the scam is, what they find on these sites can help them more accurately present themselves as you. Customer service representatives can be tricked into giving up information—think of a place like a hotel, which has all your data on file.

Limit Your Exposure to Personal Identity Theft
Exposures are everywhere and there’s much a person can do on their own to limit exposure. Make sure your computer has the most updated protection software. When you take out the garbage make sure all financial documents are shredded, not simply tossed in the trash whole. Don’t give your Social Security number to anyone other than your financial institution, a government agency or your employer. Place your mailbox under lock and key. Monitor your credit report at least twice a year to see if there are any suspicious additions. Use a credit card rather than a debit card wherever possible—this won’t necessarily reduce the possibility of theft, but it will mitigate the damage. A crook with your debit card can empty your bank account instantly, whereas credit card fraud allows a greater window of time to straighten things out. Finally, do not respond to phone solicitors or e-mails which ask you personal information.

Finding Peace of Mind
All of these steps will go a long way toward reducing your exposure, but it can never be eliminated entirely. In today’s economy the need for exchanging credit information is too high. When you give your VISA at a restaurant to pay the tab, there’s no way of knowing if anyone’s writing the information down secretly before returning it. That’s just one everyday example of your identity theft exposure. Insurance against personal identity theft is reasonably priced—as low as $25 a year—and can be added on to your homeowner’s policy. The coverage benefits include compensation for the costs in restoring your financial identity’s good name—from lawyer’s fees, to certified mailings to notary expenses. “Money never sleeps”, says the film character Gekko. Neither do the people who are out to steal your financial identity. Personal identity theft insurance can make sure you do sleep and have peace of mind. Contact The Foley Group for a free quote today.

In today’s business and legal climate, it’s important to anticipate potential pitfalls that arise in the course of the standard workday. Envision any of the following circumstances…

• You order pizzas for your employees on a Friday afternoon to reward them for a good week on the job. An employee volunteers to go pick them up. On the way, he/she is talking on their cellphone, becomes distracted and rear-ends a car. The other driver suffers whiplash and requires medical attention.

• You find yourself running low on office supplies and that shipment you ordered is running two days behind schedule. An employee offers to help out and make a run to Office Depot. It’s a busy time at the office and the employee, feeling rushed, becomes a little too aggressive in changing lanes to pass, resulting in a three-car accident.

• Your inside sales rep is close to securing a contract with a client who is nearby. A face-to-face meeting is required to close the deal. Business is good right now, so your outside people who normally close sales are unavailable. It’s a good chance for the young inside rep to gain some experience, so you send him/her out to wrap up the deal. At a four-way stop sign in the potential client’s industrial park, the nervous rep doesn’t notice his obligation to stop and creates a collision.

The Bill Comes Due

What all of these circumstances have in common is that they are everyday accidents by employees using their own vehicles, as opposed to a company car or rental, and likely covered under their auto insurance policies. If only it were that simple, the business owner has no cause for concerns. The problem is that it’s not that simple—because all of these employees were engaged in activity pertaining to work and done at the employer’s behest, the owner faces potential liability. If the employee’s auto insurance coverage is insufficient, the employer’s plan must pick up. If any of these victims should choose legal action, the prospect of a deep-pockets boss as the target is more enticing to a lawyer than an everyday employee with limited financial means. This type of exposure is the risk a company faces. What is the solution?

Hired and Non Owned Auto Insurance

A company can take reasonable steps to protect itself against this risk by incorporating Hired & Non Owned Auto Insurance Supplement into its General Liability policy. This coverage should not be confused with standard company auto insurance. The latter insures vehicles owned directly by the firm. Hired & Non Owned Auto Insurance  protects a firm against losses that come not only from the above situations, but from any liability stemming from use of a vehicle not covered under the firm’s auto insurance policy. You can also add Hired Car Physical Damage, which is similar to standard comp & collision coverage. The Foley Group specializes in fitting your firm with the right supplement to its liability coverage at the right price. Contact us for a free quote today.

While temporary staffing firm operations clearly do present some risk exposures that are relatively unique, firm managers are to be encouraged to adhere to the fundamentals of the risk management process.

1. Exposure Identification.
2. Enumeration of alternative methods and techniques available to treat the exposure.
3. Selection and implementation of the perceived best techniques.
4. Monitoring the implemented techniques for effectiveness and making any necessary changes that are suggested and are available.

A company balance sheet is often a good source to use to indentify company assets that are at risk to a variety of perils most of which are quite susceptible to affordable insurance treatment.

Managers should also consider the employment of insurance products with varying deductibles as deductible can often impact the cost of insurance considerably. Also, utilization of non insurance risk transfers through contracts with third parties should also be considered. Some risks may prove to be too risky or costly to transfer and thus the principle of “risk avoidance” may need to be employed.

Staffing firm owners and managers are well advised to collaborate with their agents, brokers, and insurers and set an expectation that the risk management process should be exercised and rest as the center of gravity for  assessing and justifying insurance coverage overall risk management value propositions.

Workers’ compensation law requires employers to cover their employees’ medical costs and lost wages due to injuries in the workplace.  The cost for premiums fluctuate depending on a number of factors and can be a substantial cost for employers.

The Problem with Traditional Workers’ Compensation Payment Plans
Traditionally, workers’ compensation coverage costs are estimated up-front and based on projected headcounts.  At the end of policy period the insurer conducts an audit to calculate what the final premium cost should actually be.

The downfall with this process is that employers have a large up-front down payment, and could end up owing a large lump sum at the end of the policy period if the original estimates were off.  For growing and seasonal businesses, estimating headcounts and payroll at the start of a policy period can be nearly impossible.  And, the lump sum payment due at the end of the policy period can be a cash flow nightmare.

“Pay As You Go” Workers’ Compensation
To help organizations better balance their workers’ compensation costs, The Foley Insurance Group has introduced a new “Pay As You Go” option.  Here’s how it works:

1.    Instead of a large down payment, workers’ compensation costs are calculated each payroll period.
2.    Costs are based on actual payroll figures for a single pay period–not estimated months ahead of time.
3.    Payroll figures are remitted each period, and the employer pays a precise workers’ compensation cost based on real figures—not an estimate.

The Benefits of Pay As You Go
The “Pay-As-You-Go” model offers significant benefits to employers:
•    No down payment required
•    Accurate premium calculations
•    No fees or interest payments
•    No year-end audits
•    No year-end balloon payments
•    A huge improvement on cash flow

Discover More

To learn more about “Pay-As-You-Go” workers’ compensation plans, please call The Foley Insurance Group today at 877-403-6539 or visit our “Pay-As-You-Go” workers’ compensation insurance overview.