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R&R Insurance Blog

The Dangers of Science Lab Experiments | Safety in Chemistry Labs

Posted by Paul Lessila

In early January 2014, two New York high school students suffered severe burns from a plume of fire that shot across their high school chemistry lab during an experiment called "The Rainbow Experiment". The dangers of highly explosive materials in high school science labs and this unfortunate recent event is a perfect segway to highlight the efforts of Amanda Gilman, Chemistry Teacher at Menomonee Falls High School in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and Chemical Hygiene Officer for the district.

Amanda's procedures in the classroom, inventory control, and safety precautions have been recognized as some of the best safety precautions used in schools today. Her unique inventory control methods help keep students and faculty safe. In this quick interview, Amanda discusses some of the techniques she uses in her chemistry lab, as well as the knowledge she gains through R&R Insurance - the provider of insurance for the Menomonee Falls School District and dozens of other schools throughout Wisconsin.

 

 

SDS Track Screen ShotR&R offers an online tool to manage all information for MSDS (SDS) - Material Safety Data Sheet (Safety Data Sheet). Schools and businesses looking for an easy-to-use, online resource for the management of chemicals in their facilities should contact a knowledgebroker.

For more information about R&R's Risk Management Center and the extensive online risk management tools we offer through this portal, contact knowledgebroker Andy Scherwinski.

More on the traumatic science experiment that severely burned 2 high school students in New York on January 2, 2014.

 


Download the FREE Lab Safety Kit

 

Additional Science Lab Resources:
The Laboratory Safety Institute
Lab Safety Guide: 40 Suggestions Poster

Topics: Safety, Schools, Paul Lessila, Risk Management Center, amanda gilman, science labs, Resource Center, Lab Safety Guide, School science lab safety, FLINN Lab Safety, Laboratory Safety Institute, Business Insurance, chemical hygiene officer, menomonee falls high school, the rainbow experiment, chemistry lab danger

Can You Impact Your Workers' Compensation Costs? Yes You Can!

Posted by the knowledge brokers

School houseResiding in every WASB members’ offices is a pot of gold. Okay, it’s not really gold, and it’s not in a pot. But it is real money, and can pay dividends for many years. Many districts and CESAs believe the cost of their workers’ compensation insurance has no relationship to behavior, the cost is set by the state, and only the size of the district (i.e., total payroll) changes the cost. None of that is true.

Cause and Effect
Districts that R&R Insurance has worked with are educating administrators, buildings and grounds, food service personnel, coaches, and teachers on how workers’ compensation insurance works. Part of the education process is understanding the elements that contribute to the cost of workers’ compensation insurance:

  • Workers’ compensation losses: (also referred to as claims) these are incidents resulting in an insurance company paying medical expenses on behalf of, or indemnity (income-replacement) benefits to, employees injured on the job.
  • Medical-only claims: workers’ compensation claims that contemplate seeking medical treatment and being absent from work for not more than three days.
  • Lost-time claims: workers’ compensation claims where an injured employee is absent from work for a period of four or more days as a result of the injury or disease.
  • Rates by duties: (also referred to as classification codes) these are amounts charged employers by insurance companies per $100 of payroll for employees engaged in certain job functions. For example, class code 8868 is applied to professors, administrators, and teachers, etc.
  • Experience modification factor: In trainings, districts should learn how each of these elements impacts their workers’ compensation premium. Through this educational process, employees quickly see how their actions impact the cost of the district’s workers’ compensation insurance.

“One for Three”
The slogan, “One for Three” has a special, but not favorable, meaning relative to a district’s experience modification factor. It refers to the fact that any workers’ compensation claim that flows into the pipeline of information used to calculate your experience modification factor remains in the formula for three years. Claims drive up your experience modification factor and workers’ compensation insurance premium — for three years!

In calculating an experience modification factor, the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau develops expected losses (from workers’ compensation claims) for different types of jobs. Examples showing expected workers’ compensation losses for teachers and other employees versus actual losses incurred are available for local districts.

It has been interesting — and financially meaningful for districts and CESAs — to observe that understanding how workers’ compensation losses impact premiums creates an awareness of the effect of unsafe work practices. With more information, district personnel often change their behavior and a team mind-set between schools can develop. We have stories of custodians telling each other not to lift heavy items without help. During a staff workshop, a teacher volunteered to hang up a chart and grabbed a chair to stand. In unison, the rest of the participants shouted, “Don’t! Get a ladder!” The participants knew that a fall from the chair could likely impact their experience modification factor.

The Next Phase — Training and Committees
Following education regarding how a district’s experience modification factor is calculated, job-specific safety training should be held. Buildings and grounds training involves hazard recognition, ladder safety, and proper lifting and driver safety. Food service training involves slip and fall hazard recognition, proper footwear, handling sharp instruments, proper lifting and hygiene. Administrator and teacher training focuses on driver safety, proper lifting techniques, ladder safety and hazard recognition. Training is then done with group tabletop exercises, presentations by safety professionals, and via computer-based training.

In addition to training, districts should establish safety committees and bring parties together from individual schools and disciplines to focus on employee and student safety issues. Some districts successful in holding down their workers’ compensation costs have used staff from one school to visit other schools within the district, providing a fresh set of eyes to look for potential loss exposure. When districts share safety committee meeting results with member schools, oftentimes, there are positive safety results.

Successful districts have created a culture where safety is emphasized; a culture that tells employees and students their well-being and health is of paramount concern, and it offers the additional benefit of favorably impacting a district’s bottom line through fewer, and less expensive, workers’ compensation claims.

Examples of Success in Two Districts

SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 had consistently bad losses. No one in the district was truly paying attention to the problem. Their experience modification factor increased for several years in a row. When the administrators realized how much money could be saved regarding workers’ compensation costs, they implemented educational pro- grams. The district saved $54,000 in premium each year by lowering their experience modification factor.School-chart1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL DISTRICT #2 identified a job type within the district that was generating most of their losses. The district focused on the troubled area and let the employees know that the cost from their depar tment was a problem. They used various methods to change behavior, which resulted in increased safety awareness and a $10,745 annual savings. This savings was 17 percent of the workers’ compensation premium.School-chart2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hattendorf is a practice leader with R&R Insurance School Practice Group. You can contact him at Bill.Hattendorf@rrins.com or 262-953-7128.

Article as seen in the September 2013 issue of "Wisconsin School News"

Topics: Workers Compensation, Schools, workers comp, workers compensation for schools, Business Insurance, wisconsin schools

Tip overs in schools and at home can end young lives!

Posted by the knowledge brokers

Tip-overFrom 2000-2011, 349 people were killed in tip-overs, 84 percent were younger than nine years old. In 2011 there were 41 deaths from this hazard. Televisions were the main cause of the deaths. Schools should make sure that televisions on carts are strapped down. With the advent of Smart Boards there are fewer televisions used in classrooms, but every school we have visited still has TV’s on the premises. Parents need to be aware of hazards in the home. Check the stability of your televisions. Schools and parents should also be aware of other tip-over exposures. Bookshelf’s, dressers, filing cabinets and mobile tool boxes should be checked for stability. Avoid an accident for someone you love, you will never regret your efforts.

More information on school safety...

Topics: Personal Insurance, Schools

LGPIF: Overview of Property Insurance Changes

Posted by Scott Brookes

floodmapThe Local Government Property Insurance Fund (LGPIF) has implemented a number of coverage changes to the property insurance coverage form. These changes include:

In addition to these coverage restrictions, we have been seeing large property rate increases. The combination of these changes now enables other insurance carriers to be price and coverage competitive.

For more information please contact knowledgebroker Scott Brookes.

 

Free LGPIF Webinar

Topics: Schools, Business Insurance, Municipalities LWMMI

LGPIF: Restrictions to Flood Coverage

Posted by Scott Brookes

floodmapThe LGPIF form now excludes loss from Flood, water below ground, back up of sewers and drains outside of the building.

Coverage is now excluded:

  • If you are in a flood zone as defined by FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) – Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)
  • If water below ground exerts pressure on or flows into your facility
  • If sewer, septic system, and storm or sewer drains outside your building overflow and the water enters your building from a source other than your drains

At R&R Insurance, we have the ability to help you evaluate your exposure. We know how to research and read the NFIP – FIRM data. We can help you understand your exposure and offer alternative solutions. Please contact me to see if your building is in a flood zone.

Free LGPIF Webinar

Topics: Schools, Business Insurance, Municipalities LWMMI

LGPIF: Restrictions on Surface Water Coverage

Posted by Scott Brookes

floodmapThe LGPIF now restricts surface water to $1,500,000. Previously, coverage was provided up to the total values on the policy.

The number and severity of summer storms has been increasing. With this increase, the amount of rain water has also increased leading to the inundation / overflow of the current storm drain systems. This runoff is considered surface water and is now restricted.

If you are in an area that is prone to inadequate storm water drainage, in an area that storm drains have not been updated to today’s standards, or in an area that cannot handle heavy rain flow, then you may be susceptible to Surface Water loss.

At R&R Insurance, we have the ability to help you evaluate your exposure. We know how to research and read the NFIP – FIRM data. We can help you understand your exposure and offer alternative solutions. Please contact me to discuss your exposure.

Free LGPIF Webinar

Topics: Schools, Business Insurance, Municipalities LWMMI

LGPIF: Reduction in Ordinance and Law Coverage

Posted by Scott Brookes

Loss Control VisitIf you have an older building that is not up to the current building codes and a covered cause of loss occurs, you may have to provide upgrades to your facility to comply with the current building codes. The building codes could require you to install a fire sprinkler and alarm system, update electrical and plumbing, install elevators, remove asbestos, and make your building ADA compliant.

Ordinance and Law coverage is designed to provides insurance coverage to a facility in the event of these code changes.

Coverage under the LGPIF form has been reduced to $2,000,000. Previously, coverage was provided up to the total values on the policy.

At R&R Insurance, we have the ability to help you evaluate your exposure. We know how to research and read the NFIP – FIRM data. We can help you understand your exposure and offer alternative solutions. Contact me today to ensure your facility is properly insured.

 

Free LGPIF Webinar

Topics: Risk Management, Schools, Business Insurance, Municipalities LWMMI

LGPIF: Addition of an Anti-Concurrent Causation Coverage Restriction

Posted by Scott Brookes

surfacewaterFrom the LGPIF notice:

  • "Anti-concurrent causation language now applies to certain losses that are excluded in Section VI of the policy. The language applies to exclusions related to nuclear; fungus; virus; flood and surface water; war; and excluded water losses such as those that arise from water pressure below the surface of the ground. Anti-concurrent causation language means that these losses are excluded even if another covered peril contributes to a loss arising from these excluded perils."

Example – Flood is now excluded under the policy. If your loss comes from flood, then the resultant loss from the flood – MOLD, is now excluded.

At R&R Insurance, we have the ability to help you evaluate your exposure. We know how to research and read the NFIP – FIRM data. We can help you understand your exposure and offer alternative solutions.

To get the latest information on updates to the LFPIF form, please contact me.


Free LGPIF Webinar

Topics: Schools, Business Insurance, Municipalities LWMMI

The Importance of Preventing Distracted Driving: Safety and the Law

Posted by Paul Lessila

RRI-DistDriv-Cling-CircleFrom 2009 to 2011, the amount of text messages sent has increased by nearly 50% and is still on the rise today. Over 1/3 of drivers have sent or received text messages while driving; 18% of people admit to doing this regularly. However, distracted driving is not just texting while driving - it also includes eating, talking on the phone, reading, and anything else that takes your concentration off the road.

Driving with all of life's distraction is a growing epidemic. I've put together a few short videos with additional information and statistics - take a look and I welcome any suggestions on how we can get the word out to help prevent distracted driving.

R&R Insurance is doing their part to ensure our roads are safer. Learn more about the "Stop the Distraction" campaign and to request your free materials at www.myknowledgebroker.com/stopit.

Topics: Schools, Business Insurance

R&R Insurance Services is Chosen As An Endorsed Agent for WASB Property & Casualty Insurance Plan

Posted by Resource Center

WASB_LogoThe Wisconsin Association of School Boards Insurance Plan (“Plan”) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Endorsed Agent Program. Five insurance agencies specializing in serving the property and casualty and employee benefits insurance needs of Wisconsin school districts and CESAs have been endorsed by the Plan, R&R Insurance Services of Waukesha, WI is one of the agencies for the Property & Casualty insurance Plan.

The endorsed agencies were selected based on their knowledge, depth of resources, and experience in facilitating the provision of insurance and risk management services meeting the special needs of Wisconsin school districts and CESAs, and their willingness to collaborate with the Plan to expand programming in this regard.

Plan Chair and Elk Mound School District Board member Tim Sivertson is enthused about the new program. “These firms have made a commitment to offer Wisconsin school districts and CESAs insurance and programs which meet districts’ ever-changing needs. That’s vitally important as school boards face the challenges presented by reduced budgets and legislative changes.”

“All employees will benefit from the Endorsed Agent Program as the Plan and agencies work together to analyze and communicate ideas which yield the most favorable results for improving health and reducing injuries,” says Nancy Thompson, Plan Trustee, WASB, Inc. Board President and Waterloo School District Board member.

Wisconsin School districts and CESAs are encouraged to contact R&R Insurance for more information.

R&R Insurance Services: Bill Hattendorf
800-566-7007, Ext. 2128, Bill.Hattendorf@rrins.com

Topics: Schools, Business Insurance