<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1602061480087256&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

R&R Insurance Blog

Winter Weather Safety: Preventing Slip and Fall Injuries

Posted by Nick Steiner

As the cold weather sets in, it's crucial to be aware of the dangers that come with it, especially the risk of slip and fall injuries. At R&R Insurance, we understand the importance of safety, which is why our loss control consultant, Nick Steiner, is here to share some valuable tips to help you navigate the icy conditions safely.

The Cost of Complacency

In 2021, the average claim for slip and fall injuries was nearly $50,000. This staggering amount highlights the need for vigilance and precaution during the winter months. By following these simple yet effective tips, you can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of yourself and others.

Footwear Matters

One of the first steps to prevent slips and falls is to choose the right footwear. Opt for shoes with wide, non-slip soles and deep treads. Avoid wearing heels, dress shoes, or any footwear that lacks proper traction. The right shoes can provide the stability you need on slippery surfaces.

Stay Alert to Changing Conditions

Winter weather can be unpredictable, with cycles of freezing, melting, and refreezing. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared for changing conditions. This awareness can help you anticipate and navigate slippery areas more safely.

Step Safely

When getting out of your vehicle or stepping off curbs, remember to step down, not out. Use your vehicle for added stability and step down with both feet to maintain balance. This simple change in habit can significantly reduce the risk of falls.

Follow Marked Pathways

Resist the temptation to take shortcuts. Marked pathways are often cleared and salted, providing the safest route of travel. By sticking to these paths, you can avoid unexpected icy patches.

Take Your Time

Speed is not your friend on ice and snow. Slow down and take small, careful steps to maintain your footing. Rushing can lead to slips and falls, so give yourself extra time to reach your destination.

Keep Your Hands Free

Try to carry only what is necessary and keep your hands free for balance. Use a backpack or bags to carry your belongings, and avoid overloading yourself.

The Penguin Shuffle

Embrace the penguin shuffle! Walk flat-footed and take short steps to keep your center of balance over your feet. This technique can help you maintain stability on icy surfaces.

Avoid Distractions

Put away your cell phone and focus on your surroundings while walking. Distractions can lead to accidents, so it's important to stay alert and aware of potential hazards.

Report and Act

If you spot icy conditions, report them to your employer or property owner so they can take action. Additionally, if salt is available, take the initiative to spread it on slippery areas to prevent accidents.

Stay Safe with R&R Insurance

At R&R Insurance, your safety is our priority. We hope these tips help you navigate the winter weather safely. For more information on this topic or any other services we provide, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Stay safe and take care!

Topics: Safety, Business Insurance

Annual Year End Recordkeeping Questions & Resources for the Public Sector

Posted by R&R Insurance

WI Skylin

Every year when the calendar changes to January, many public sector customers ask questions about requirements of recording injuries and illness that arise in the workplace.

RESOURCES


REMINDERS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR

  1. Recording Criteria - Follows the recording criteria as outline CFR 1904
  2. Recording Forms – Document use WI Dept of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Form 10710A and 10710, found in the above SBD10710 packet link (contains the same as is found on OSHA Form 300 and 300A)
  3. Electronic Submission Requirement – Due March 1
    1. eSLA Customer Portal Login
    2. If not submitted by 3/1, orders from DSPS may be issued and may conduct safety inspection
  4. Posting – upon completion electronic submission an email confirmation with printable version for posting

For additional information and tools, check out our Downloads page.

Topics: Safety, Business Insurance

Trade Credit Insurance | A Sales Growth Solution

Posted by the knowledge brokers

vlad-deep-mCqi3MljC4E-unsplashIn simple terms, Trade Credit Insurance protects B2B companies or sellers of goods and services against bad debt, including insolvency, slow payment, and political risks. When these issues arise, they can be detrimental to a business. In fact, approximately 82% of bankruptcies are triggered by cash flow problems caused by issues like customer non-payment. In addition, accounts receivables typically represent more than 40% of a company's assets, and one in ten invoices becomes delinquent.

When should businesses consider Trade Credit Insurance?

Trade Credit Insurance applies to businesses of all sizes and in a variety of industries. Trusted Choice states that companies that sell goods and services on credit terms rather than requiring payment up front are exposed to the risk of nonpayment and should consider this coverage. In addition, companies that work with international exports have an increased risk and should take this insurance into account as well.

While there are alternatives to Trade Credit Insurance, they may not be the best option for businesses. According to James Daly, CEO and President of Euler Hermes, the main alternative is self-insurance, a practice many US organizations opt for. Businesses can put a reserve on their balance sheet to cover any bad debt that may occur over the year. However as Daly states, "rather than have capital in your balance sheet doing nothing but waiting for bad debt, why not purchase Trade Credit Insurance and then invest that excess capital into growth or new products?"

How can Trade Credit Insurance benefit your business?

Trade credit solutions can support sales growth while reducing trade risk and giving you the ability to:

  • Avoid catastrophic bad debt losses
  • Expand sales to new and existing customer with less risk
  • Secure better borrowing terms with a lender
  • Reduce bad debt reserves
  • Enhance credit department efficiencies and results

The value of Trade Credit protection extends well beyond the insurance policy.  A key benefit is the extensive financial database available from partners of R&R such as Euler-Hermes, the world's largest Trade Credit provider. The information available at their fingertips provides proactive notifications and protection from adverse financial issues that could be developing with your key business partners. In addition, their data is an excellent evaluation tool when making decisions on partnering or prospecting potential growth partners. 

As a partner of premier trade credit insurers, R&R can assist your company with properly protecting its largest asset - accounts receivable. Contact a KnowledgeBroker for more information.

Topics: Business Insurance

4 Questions You Need To Ask To Manage Classroom Storage And Reduce Work Comp Claims

Posted by Mike Walden

As you consider the safety of your classrooms, storage will almost always be a hot button issue with teachers and staff members alike. From textbooks to art supplies, teachers are challenged with organizing their classroom assets and maintaining a functional learning environment, making the most of tight quarters.

We encourage you to take a look at your unique classroom storage scenarios and approach each storage challenge with a focus on safety and injury prevention. As you tour your school classrooms, here are a few questions you should ask.

How Did It Get Up There?

If you encounter supply boxes stacked up to their ceiling, your first concern might be whether those items will fall, and rightly so. But if you are focusing on long-term safety and wellbeing, you also need to consider how those items were stacked in the first place. Did a teacher climb on a chair or desk to stack the items? Did the teacher lift a heavy object over their head? To minimize workers’ compensation claims and injury hazards in the classroom, you’ll need to consider each scenario from every safety point of view.

The R&R Insurance Recommendation

R&R Insurance believes in providing advice and resources to help schools minimize risks in the classroom. When it comes to classroom storage, we often encourage schools to create a storage policy that outlines a few key factors, including:

  • Appropriate items to be stored
  • Safe storage locations
  • Height restrictions on storage items
  • Weight limits on stacked items
  • Staff assigned to move heavy objects
  • Proper lifting procedures

With a policy in place, you can educate your staff members on best practices to help minimize injury and maintain a safe learning environment.

How Will It Come Down Safely?

If you see a hazard in a classroom your first instinct will often be to correct or eliminate the problem immediately. If items are stacked in a classroom, how can you remove those items safety? You might also question how the teacher was planning to safely remove the items and what standards you have in place to appropriately manage such hazards.

The R&R Insurance Recommendation

Focusing on being proactive, R&R Insurance would recommend educating staff members on proper storage protocol. If you draft a policy on who can add and remove items from storage spaces, you can ensure that appointed staff members follow proper safety recommendations. Simple things like using an approved ladder to reach an overhead item instead of standing on a chair, or using proper lifting technique, are very important safety considerations. By placing a focus on proper procedure, you can minimize injury risks in the classroom.

How Heavy Is The Item?

Teachers use a variety of materials to teach and demonstrate in the classroom, each with its own inherent risks. Consider the weight of classroom objects and assess the injury potential of each object.

The R&R Insurance Recommendation

We certainly understand that it is not always realistic to ask approved personnel to manage adding or removing items from storage. Placing size and weight specifications in your storage policy will provide your teaching staff with some flexibility to access items as needed, without asking for assistance. Consider a weight limit that teachers can lift without assistance and set safety protocols for your staff members who are responsible for lifting heavy items.

How Likely Is It The Item Will Fall?

There is always a potential for injury if items in storage have the potential to fall. Improperly stacked items, or awkwardly shaped materials, like microscopes, can often present a challenge for teachers in the classroom. Assessing the potential for injury is an important step in classroom safety maintenance.

The R&R Insurance Recommendation

Maintaining a safe classroom really comes down to properly identifying potential hazards and knowing how to safety manage each unique hazard. Your storage policy is a great place to start so everyone understands that safety is a priority. Educating team members on the details of the policy will provide them with the necessary tools to problem solve when hazards arise and ask for assistance when it is required.

At R&R Insurance, we are committed to helping schools minimize their risks, offering solutions and resources to help build safe environments for staff and students alike.

Interested in learning how R&R Insurance can improve safety in your school and reduce your costs? Request our free safety resources and case studies or schedule a call with one of our School Group Experts, today.



Topics: Safety, Loss Prevention, Risk Management, Schools, Risk Management Center, Business Insurance, School safety

Does Your Company Have an Auto Policy?

Posted by Kristen Beach

Company Auto PolicyYou have a small business, your company doesn’t own any automobiles, and no one drives for their job… you don’t need any auto policy, right? Wrong! 

Do you or your employees occasionally visit a customer?  Do you drop items off at the bank, even on the way home?  What about go out for a company lunch?  Rent a car to drive to a seminar or trade show? Then you might want to consider Hired/Non-owned Automobile coverage. 

Hired/Non-owned Auto coverage is auto liability coverage for your business when your employees are driving on work-related matters.  In the event there is an accident, defending your company in case of a lawsuit. This coverage comes in to play when there is a vehicle being driven by you or an employee that is Hired (i.e. rental cars) or Non-owned (by the company).  So if an employee is driving his or her own vehicle to attend a trade show, there would be liability coverage to protect the business.  

This reasonably inexpensive coverage can be added to most general liability policies. Contact R&R Insurance for more information.

Topics: auto policy, Business Insurance, Hired/Non-Owned Auto

How To Drive Safely Around Motorcycles

Posted by Jeff Wolfgram

Share_The_RoadEach year as the weather gets warmer, the bikes come out. So it's good to know the rules of the road for motorcycles and how to drive safer around them. Here are a few key points from this great article by Mike Rodgers:

  • When making left turns, look for traffic...then look AGAIN for bikers
  • Let them swerve and leave as much space as possible
  • Stay back - rear ending a motorcycle is obviously much more dangerous than a vehicle
  • Make a conscious note

Have fun and be careful out there!

Motorcycle Roads: Find routes, maps, rides and trips

Killboy.com: Motorsports photography taken from the Tail of the Dragon

Motorcycle Related Links

World's Worst Motorcycle Crashes

Discovery Channel Motorcycle Wipeouts

For Wisconsin residents looking for Motorcycle Insurance, Home and Auto Insurance, contact knowledgebroker Jeff Wolfgram.

Topics: motorcycle insurance, maps, hd110, rides and trips, Business Insurance, 110th anniversary celebration, motorcycle wipeouts, World's Worst Motorcycle Crashes, killboy.com, harley davidson, Motorcycle Roads: Find routes

Do You Need Inland Marine Coverage?

Posted by the knowledge brokers

construction truck.jpgWithout inland marine coverage, your business’s personal property is not covered if it is being transported off site. A business’s personal property can include: machinery, equipment, stock, leased property, furniture, and any other property owned and used by the business.

For example, if you are a contractor and you transport tools and equipment between the workplace and job site, you will need an inland marine policy that covers contractor equipment.  Or, if you are a photographer and shoot on location, the photography equipment will need to be covered on an inland marine form. Basically, if you use equipment that does not stay at your premises, you may need to include it on an inland marine policy.

A business auto policy covers your vehicles, but what about mobile equipment such as a cherry picker, bulldozer, or even a golf cart? If you have mobile equipment that is not subject to compulsory insurance laws and used off public roads, it is not considered an auto. Therefore, you will need to insure that liability under your general liability policy and also insure it on an inland marine policy to cover any physical damage.

How can you determine what to insure?  Keep your agent informed. Let us at R&R know what you need insured and what you use it for. We will make sure that all your property has the appropriate coverage.

For more coverage information, contact a knowledge broker.

 

Topics: Business Insurance, coverage for business, Inland Marine

Coinsurance Penalties | How to Avoid Any Unpleasant Surprises

Posted by Sandy Hein

iStock_76526599_LARGE.jpgCoinsurance is the percentage of property value that the policyholder is required to insure.

If one insures the property for less than that amount, the insurance company imposes a "coinsurance penalty" once a claim is filed.  The value is determined at the time of the loss. If the amount of insurance is found to be under the stated coinsurance percentage, then a penalty is applied reducing the claim payment.

Most business policies include a "coinsurance" clause, determining what percentage of its value the property must be insured for in order to be fully reimbursed for a loss.

Example: There is a building that one believes would cost $100,000 to replace and a coinsurance penalty in the policy of 80 percent. One insures the building for $80,000 thinking they have fulfilled the coinsurance clause. A fire loss causes $60,000 worth of damage so a claim is submitted. The insurance company subsequently determines that the replacement cost of the building is actually $150,000.

To determine how much to pay on the claim, the insurer divides the amount of insurance purchased ($80,000) by the amount that should have been purchased (80% of $150,000 or $120,000). The result (two-thirds, or $40,000) is the amount of the claim the insurer will pay.


If the building had been insured for at least $120,000, the insurer would have been reimbursed for the full amount of the loss.

 

Coinsurance can be tricky and could end up having a high cost if one under insures the property.

Reach out to one of R&R's Knowledge Brokers to ensure that you have the proper amount of coverage and to clarify any questions you may have on coinsurance.

 

 

Topics: Business Insurance, coinsurance, coinsurance penalty

Do You Have a Storage Tank Policy?

Posted by Karlie Davis

  • health-care-broker.jpgAre you removing your storage tank from service?
  • Are you closing your storage tank?
  • Are you replacing your storage tank?
  • Are you moving your storage tank?
  • Are you repairing your storage tank?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, please be aware of an endorsement that could possibly leave you with a gap in coverage.

The endorsement could be called Closure, Removal or Replacement Amendatory. This endorsement states the First Named Insured must provide written notice to the Insurance Carrier of any Insured’s Intent to repair, close-in-place, remove from service and/or replace any above ground or underground storage tank. It must be no less than 5 business days prior to the commencement date of any intrusive repair, closure-in-place, and removal from service and/or replacement. If the carrier is not properly notified prior to the change, you could have a potential gap in coverage.

Please contact your R&R Knowleger Broker if you have any questions or would like to discuss further.

Topics: Business Insurance

A Closer Look at Employers Liability

Posted by the knowledge brokers

Injury-at-Work.jpgIn order to take a closer look at Employers Liability (EL), let's start with the basics of Workers' Compensation. Work Comp applies to bodily injury or disease caused by a condition of your employment. There are no limits for work comp. In addition, the state helps to regulate the amount paid out for workers compensation benefits.

Employers liability, such as negligence, pays damages that you legally must pay because of bodily injury to your employees that are not covered by the workers' compensation policy. The limits shown on the declarations page are the employers liability limits.

The 4 most common types of Employers Liability claims are:

  • Third Party Claim or Action Over:   A claim filed by a third party against the employer for negligant actions that caused injury to an employee.
    • Example: An employee is injured using machinery that was not well maintained by the employer. The employee received work comp benefits and also sues the manufacturer of the equipment. The manufacturer in turn sues the employer for negligence.
  • Care and Loss of Services: Claim filed by the injured employees spouse for loss of the employees “services”. This can include dependents care and service that the injured parent can no longer provide.
  • Consequential Bodily Injury: Claim filed by the injured employees family member for consequential injury.
    • Example: Spouse suffers a heart attack after hearing of the injured employee
  • Dual Capacity Claims: Claim brought by the injured employee against the employer when the injury arises from a product that the employer manufactures.

To learn more about Employers Liability or for questions about your business, contact a KnowledgeBroker.

Topics: Business Insurance