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When one thinks of workers’ compensation, images of workplace accidents and occupational diseases come to mind.

Though the vast majority of workers’ compensation cases do involve claims for physical injuries and conditions, a small-but potentially growing-portion of workers’ compensation cases are based on mental or psychological claims, particularly related to stress experienced on the job.

Mental workers’ compensation insurance cases fall into one of three categories: physical/mental, mental/physical, or mental/mental. A physical/mental claim involves a workplace physical injury that has progressed to a mental condition or disability; an example would be a back injury that lingers, and that results in the worker lapsing into clinical depression. A mental/physical claim involves a psychological condition arising out of the worker’s employment that has caused a physical illness; an example would be workplace-induced stress that causes ulcers. A mental/mental claim involves a psychological occurrence in the course of employment, which leads to a psychological injury or condition; an example would be an employee who witnesses a horrific workplace accident involving a co-worker, and who later develops a fear of operating the same equipment on which the co-worker was injured.

As with workers’ compensation insurance claims that have only physical components, in order to be compensable, the claimed injury or condition must arise out of or occur during the course of employment. Some types of mental injuries are difficult to prove under this standard. For example, symptoms of physical ailments caused by stress (e.g., ulcers, heart attacks) may appear only after working in a stressful workplace for a long period of time. Furthermore, unlike claims based on a workplace accident, mental claims may not be linked to one particular incident, but rather to months or years of stressful working conditions.

Another example of the complexity of the cause-effect link in mental workers’ compensation insurance claims is seen in claims based on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a delayed psychological response to experiencing an extreme situation that overwhelms one’s usual ability to cope. Most commonly thought of in connection with soldiers and wartime, discussions of PTSD arose after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Though few would doubt the psychological impact of witnessing the devastation in New York or Washington first-hand, by definition, symptoms of PTSD do not appear for months or years after the event, making their connection to the workplace event difficult to assess.

Mental workers’ compensation insurance claims represent a tiny percentage of all insurance claims; estimates put claims with a mental component at about 1% of claims overall, although this figure varies by state. For a period of time in the 1980s and early 1990s, the incidence of claims with a mental component rose in some states, but stricter requirements imposed by state lawmakers, workers’ compensation boards, and courts stemmed this trend. In particular, mental/mental claims are least recognized.

Though workers’ compensation claims with a mental component represent only a small minority of claims today, the reality of the modern workplace should motivate all employers to be alert to their existence. White collar workers-who are most likely to claim an injury with a mental component-make up an ever-growing portion of the U.S. work force. Furthermore, today’s workplace puts great pressure on employees to be productive and cost-efficient. Many workers live with fear of job loss, as businesses continue to seek optimum competitiveness through “right-sizing.” All of these factors can breed stress.

All employers can take some basic steps to deal with increased stress levels in the workplace-

• Be alert to signs of stress among employees, and solicit input from employees and managers on this issue. Be aware that certain events, such as layoffs, may trigger stress levels in employees beyond what is to be expected on a day-to-day basis.

• Make employee assistance program (EAP) services available so that workers have ready access to help with dealing with stress.

• In the event of a severe workplace trauma, arrange for on-site intervention and counseling services.

Though these steps will not make a business immune from the possibility of a workers’ compensation claim with a mental component, they will, at the least, help make stress recognition and prevention part of the workplace ethic.

 

Maryland’s minimum auto liability insurance limits are not enough.

Sure, you’re a responsible driver. But is the Maryland minimum, bare bones auto insurance coverage really sufficient to cover your risks?  I suspect not.

Yes, every state imposes a minimum on liability insurance coverage. This coverage not only protects you against having creditors forcibly seize your assets and land you in bankruptcy court; it also helps protect others around you, by ensuring that no matter what their medical issue or damages, there is enough liquidity on the table to make sure they are economically protected.

But state minimums aren’t designed for most individuals, especially the affluent, and do not provide you with the real protection you need. State legislatures must set liability minimums low enough so that car insurance coverage is affordable even for poor families – so at least they’ll get something rather than drive completely uninsured. State minimums are not designed to provide really adequate protection for drivers who have assets or make a decent income and are those who are targets for legal action.

The Owner is At Risk

Remember, even if you lend your car to someone else for the weekend – if he or she crashes it, and causes damage, it’s you, as the car owner, who is ultimately responsible. Owners are first in line, ahead of drivers, when plaintiffs’ lawyers start looking to collect on damages not covered by auto insurance.

How Big Can Judgments Be?

Judgments for damages in auto accidents are very frequently $50,000 and over and can range into the millions. We looked at actual judgments obtained by just one small law firm, and found instances like these:

• $200,000 in liability for just one accident involving a motorcycle.
• $265,000 for a T-bone auto accident.
• $300,000 for a leg injury to a pedestrian.
• $750,000 for a rear end accident with injury.
• $2,000,000 for another rear-end accident with serious injury.
• 2,900,000 for a wrongful death claim.

The Maryland state-mandated minimum of $30,000 per person/ $60,000 per accident/ $15,000 property damage per accident might cover most fenderbenders, but it is woefully inadequate for the real risk. If you are sued, and the plaintiff wins, you will be held responsible for the whole judgment over the amount of your coverage.

Asset Protection

If someone involved in an auto accident sues you and wins, he will receive a payment from your car insurance company, up to the limit of coverage.  When the payment is inadequate, they may take additional action. They may sue to seize your personal assets – your bank account, your vehicles, property, business and even your home in some jurisdictions. They may also file to garnish your wages. Can you imagine losing 30% of your income to a garnishment?  The fallout could easily force you into bankruptcy – and severely disrupt your life.

If you have any kind of hard-earned assets that are at risk of creditor action, you may want to consider buying extra liability insurance coverage.  The more assets you have, the more likely you are to be targeted. After all, plaintiffs’ lawyers know that judgments are easier to collect from the affluent than the poor. But even middle class people have a lot to lose by carrying inadequate liability insurance coverage.

Liability Insurance

You may consider two kinds of insurance: additional liability insurance for your car, over and above the state-mandated minimum, and an umbrella insurance policy, which helps protect your assets against losses from a wider variety of sources. This can be especially important for parents of teenagers who are risky drivers and who may drive someone else’s car, or have a party at the house while you and other adults are out of town. When a youngster leaves the party at your house after drinking, and has a wreck, you could be held liable.

To assess your exposure, sit down with a licensed insurance professional, your attorney, or both. It’s easy to tailor a remarkably affordable plan to provide more realistic protection against the actual risks of liability – but you have to do it before the accident.

 

by Jerry Nicklow

Purchasing a Collision Damage Waiver on Your Rental Car Makes Sense

Although the fees can be considerable, it may be a good idea to purchase a collision damage waiver the next time you rent a car. You may believe you have enough protection from your Personal Auto Insurance Policy; however, that’s just not the case. Your auto insurance policy covers the lesser of the actual cash value of the car or the minimum amount to repair or replace it. Your contract with the rental car company may require you to reimburse them for the full value of the vehicle. Meaning, you would have to make up the difference out-of-pocket. Your auto insurance policy also may not pay for any increased value of new parts replacing old ones, or any diminution of value, meaning if the market value of the vehicle after repairs is less than that before the accident.  Again, if that is the case, then you would have to make up the shortfall.

Another area where the waiver can be of great importance is in the settlement process. Your auto insurance company has the right to inspect and appraise the damaged car before repair or disposal.  However, the rental company is not bound by the terms of your auto insurance policy, and it may opt to complete the repairs immediately. This would result in your not being covered because you didn’t comply with the terms of the policy.

The rental agreement may require immediate reimbursement for damages. Without the waiver, they could charge your credit card. This can create a significant debt and put you over your credit limit.

Rental agreements often make the renter responsible for any loss in value beyond normal wear and tear, regardless of the cause or who’s at fault. Your PAP doesn’t cover this contingency unless you insure at least one vehicle for both collision and other-than-collision coverage.

You could, and most likely would be responsible for the rental company’s loss of income on the damaged car. Your policy may have limited coverage for these charges. The same is true for any administrative or loss-related expenses such as towing, appraisal, claims adjustment, and storage fees you may be charged.

Your auto insurance policy is considered excess coverage if:

• Any coverage is provided by the owner of the auto.
• There is any other applicable physical damage insurance.
• There is any other source of recovery applicable to the loss, such as travel policies, credit card coverage, etc.

This can create a controversy over who pays, which can result in litigation. Keep in mind that many states have statutes that may govern this eventuality.

The auto insurance policy does not provide physical damage coverage for vehicles that are not private passenger cars, pickups, vans, or trailers. The use of covered vehicles is limited to the U.S., its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, and Canada. If you rent a trailer, coverage may be limited to $500.

The car insurance policy may have limitations on use of vehicles that are not excluded by the rental agreement collision damage waiver. The insurance policy may also exclude certain drivers or may apply only to designated individuals. The collision damage waiver will probably also only apply to certain individuals, but operators for which no auto insurance coverage is available may be protected under the rental agreement by adding them as designated drivers.

The auto insurance policy will typically include a deductible in the range of $100-$500 or more. In addition, payment for damage to a rental car may result in a significant premium increase because of surcharges or loss of credits. Having a collision damage waiver, or loss damage waiver, will protect you from paying increased premiums.

 

Most Common Driving Emergencies

There are two golden rules to remember when driving – expect the unexpected and be ready for anything. Many agencies, such as the National Safety Council, have compiled listings of the most common driving emergencies and the ways that drivers can best handle them safely. Let’s look at six of them:

1. Blown Tire

If you encounter this driving emergency, don’t over-steer.  But do maintain a firm, steady grip on the wheel to keep the vehicle going in the desired direction until you’re able to slow it down.

Keep in mind that a front blown tire will cause the vehicle to pull toward the blowout’s side, while a rear blown tire will cause the vehicle’s rear end to weave. Apply your brakes smoothly and slowly enough that you can pull the car to the side of the road at a safe speed. Never immediately swerve to the side of the road or jam on the brakes as you could lose control.

2. Blown / Malfunctioning Headlights

Slowly brake and come to a stop on the right shoulder. Try to get as far away from passing traffic as possible. Turn on your emergency flashers, if they’re still operational, and place road hazard markers or flares at least 300 feet from the rear of your vehicle.

If you don’t have a cell phone to call for roadside assistance, then you can open the hood and try to scrape the battery cable’s lead terminal posts and the inside of connector lugs. This may provide a better connection and enough intermittent light to make it to a phone. As a last resort, you could use your emergency flashers as an intermittent light source if they’re on a separate circuit.

3. Skidding Vehicle

This is a common driving emergency during weather events, like snow, ice or rain.

Remove your foot from the gas. Steer into the direction of the skid until you feel your rear wheels get traction again. Now, straighten the wheel. Never jam on the brakes or over-steer during the skid. To avoid skidding to one side when you need to come to a sudden stop, you can rapidly jam and immediately release the brakes. For those with anti-lock brakes, keep your foot on the brake and continue firm pressure while steering.

4. Engine Failure

Turn your right signal on and let the vehicle’s momentum carry you to the shoulder. If this isn’t a possibility, then remain in your lane or along the right side. Pump your brakes and turn your emergency flashers on to let other drivers know you’re in trouble. Once you’ve come to a stop, you’ll ideally exit the vehicle on the side without traffic flow. You can alert other vehicles by placing reflectors or flares; keeping your taillights on; and placing a white cloth around your handle, spoiler, or antenna. Use your cell phone to call for help or flag down a law officer. There may be an emergency call box on long bridges.

5. Stuck Accelerator

Turn off the ignition and apply the brakes. Keep in mind that your power assist feature will no longer work and braking and steering will be more difficult. Never lean down to handle the gas pedal, but you can try to lift the pedal with your toe if the pedal and throttle linkage have a positive connection.

6. Brake Failure

If your brakes still functioning properly, but you have a system light indicating a brake failure, then you should slowly take the most level route to a service station or mechanic shop.

If your breaks don’t feel normal, but are still offering some resistance, then pump them rapidly. This action could build enough hydraulic pressure to slow your vehicle down. You might be lucky enough to have a clear road and be able to coast to a stop or roll and apply your parking brake. Use your horn and flash your lights to alert pedestrians and other vehicles. You might need to carefully sideswipe hedges, snow banks, parked cars, and/or guardrails to help your vehicle stop if your on a downward, steep roadway.

Never swerve to the left of a vehicle in your path unless it’s your only choice. If you’re headed straight for another vehicle, firmly press the brakes; head for a shoulder, ditch, or open ground on the right side; and try to alert others with your horn.

Driving emergencies are hard to think through as they’re happening. For the best outcome possible, you’ll need to know what the potential emergencies are, know how to safely deal with them ahead of time, and make the subjects part of your family’s safety discussions.

 

My internship in the office may have ended this summer, but that doesn’t mean I stop helping people. Much like how we at Huff Insurance help protect you, SADD looks to help protect students. As the President of the SADD club at Severna Park High School I have learned a lot, and I take that newfound knowledge and pass it on to other students and spread the message of SADD, and hope to persuade other students to buy into the SADD message.

You may be saying to yourself, “Well that’s all great, but what in the world is SADD?” Founded by students in 1981 in Massachusetts as “Students against Drunk Driving” SADD had grown to become one of the nation’s leaders in youth education and prevention for drunk driving. In 1997, SADD expanded their name and mission to “Students Against Destructive Decisions.” SADD now highlights prevention of all destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, impaired driving, violence, and suicide. Today, SADD’s mission is “to provide students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, risky and impaired driving, and other destructive decisions.”

Car accidents are the leading cause of death amongst teenagers, followed by homicide, and suicide. Teenagers are also at the age of what they do now, can and will affect them later in life. Today, SADD chapters are nationwide and affect millions of students each year.  SADD was founded on the simple philosophy that young people, empowered to help each other, are the most effective force in prevention. With thousands of chapters nationwide and a strong network of state coordinators and school-based advisors, SADD is uniquely positioned to help young people with the growing threats to their health, happiness, and safety. Through their campaigns and activities, SADD chapters influence millions of people in schools, families, local community organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and the media. As an active, established youth program, SADD reaches into more schools and touches more young people for longer periods of time than does any other program.

Most of the high schools in Anne Arundel County have established SADD Chapters. At Severna Park High School, I am fortunate enough to be president of this outstanding club that means a great deal to me. When I’m working as intern in the insurance office during the summer, I love knowing what I do is to protect our clients, and every time I hear our agents on the phones, or talking to our clients in person, I like knowing they are doing everything they can to look out for you. That’s why when I return to school, I like knowing what I’m doing with SADD is not only helping myself, but my fellow classmates, and the school and community as a whole.

I can’t do it alone; I have fantastic teachers who help with the organization. I also have great support from other teachers in the school, as well as administration. I also have tremendous students who come to meetings, and help with meeting planning and activities to show our school how to make positive choices, and why they should think again, before they make a destructive decision. I encourage you all to visit the national SADD website at www.sadd.org. For more information, specifically on the Severna Park SADD chapter, email SPHSSADD@gmail.com

Huff Insurance is a proud sponsor of the Severna Park High School SADD club.

If you would, or your business would like to donate/sponsor the Severna Park High School SADD chapter please send an email to SPHSSADD@gmail.com. We would greatly appreciate any donation and is a tremendous help to get the word out, and prevent teenagers in our community from making destructive decisions.

Possibly related posts:

• Teen Driver Safety Week 2013
• Number one Killer of Teen Drivers
• Shut up and Drive, Distracted Driving Kills!
• How to Create a Social Media Policy for Your Business
• Bicycle Safety and How Can Bicycles Be Insured?

Being Summertime, many bike owners hit the road on a daily basis

Whether bike owners plan to participate in competitions, ride for exercise, or just take a ride around the block with the family, it is important for them to understand the rules of the road. It is also important to be adequately insured.

Insuring A Bicycle

I recently have gotten into cycling and know first hand that bicycles vary greatly in price these days. A simple model may cost several hundred dollars, and a racing bike, like a Litespeed, Trek or Felt, could cost several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.  I have talked to a young lady where I bought my bike at the  Bike Doctor in Crofton, Maryland who was looking to buy a $15,000 bike.  Although that is probably one incredible bike, it was not the bike for me at this time…..  Which leads to the question,

How do you properly insure these bicycles?

Personal property provisions in a homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy do cover bicycles. This means bikes that are damaged by a covered peril or stolen are usually covered. Bikes stolen from cars are also covered under many policies. For personal property coverage, there are two options: Replacement cost coverage and actual cash value.

Replacement Cost Coverage
This type of insurance provides reimbursement for the cost of replacing a bicycle with a similar one at the current cost. Replacement cost coverage usually costs about 10 percent more than its alternative. However, it is still a wise investment.

Actual Cash Value
This option provides reimbursement for the actual value of the bicycle at its current age. This means a bicycle that is five years old would be valued at the cost of a comparable product. However, depreciation for the bike’s age would be calculated and deducted from that value.

Liability insurance protection is also granted in a homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy, so harm caused to others on their property will be covered. For example, if an insured crashes into a person on that person’s property and causes injuries, the policyholder’s insurance company will cover up to a specific dollar amount. It is important for all policyholders to know what their maximum coverage amount per incident is.

Most people are insured for an amount between $300,000 and $500,000. However, some people purchase umbrella insurance policies to expand that amount. The umbrella insurance policy’s benefits kick in when the homeowners insurance policy is maxed out. There is also no-fault medical coverage on a homeowners policy. This coverage usually ranges between $1,000 and $5,000. In the event of an injury, the injured party can simply submit a medical claim to the policyholder’s insurance company for hospital bills. Keeping a policy updated is the best way to avoid an expensive lawsuit.

If you purchase an expensive new bicycle, save the receipt and call your local Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent to notify him or her about the new purchase. Keep in mind that helmets, pumps, saddle bags, lights and special clothing should be included on insurance. People who own very expensive bicycles should purchase endorsements for their renters insurance or homeowners insurance policies to specifically schedule the bicycles.  Many insurers have special endorsements for sporting equipment, and some even have specific endorsements for bicycles.

Insurance is certainly an important aspects of bicycle ownership. However, bicycle safety is crucial. As a bicyclist myself, i find that sharing the roads with motor vehicles can be dangerous.  To stay safe on the road this year, consider the following cycling safety tips:

– Always wear a helmet.
– Make sure the bike fits properly and does not have any unsecured parts.
– Ride on the correct side of the road, watch (and listen) for traffic and use hand signals.
– Learn and follow all the rules of the road.
– Always stay alert, and be aware of surroundings at all times.
– Avoid wearing headphones or a cellular headset while riding.
– If necessary, take safety classes before hitting the road.
– Be more visible by wearing bright colors, using lights and wearing reflective gear after dark. (Pictured is Jerry Nicklow, CFO, Huff Insurance)

 

Many children drown or are injured in residential pools every year. By implementing a good set of safety rules, parents can help keep their kids and visitors safe. Some people may think it sounds rude to lay down a list of rules in front of pool guests, but the cost of a liability lawsuit would be much worse. To avoid sounding like a stickler, simply explain to pool guests that their safety is important. Explain that they can help out by following the safety rules. Parents should review these rules with children frequently. Quiz them on each point to ensure they understand thoroughly. The following tips are helpful for developing a strong set of pool and spa safety rules.

1. Specify all requirements. This should be the most important step. Decide who can go in the pool and at what time. For example, children should have specific blocks of time when they are allowed in the pool, and they should not be allowed to go in when an adult is not present. Teach them it is dangerous to run. Instead of just telling them not to run, explain how they can slip, fall into the pool and possibly drown. Discourage horseplay or rough water games. Children who cannot get along in the pool should understand that there will be consequences. Kids should also understand how important it is to stay away from drains and filters.

2. Have an emergency plan. Even if strict rules are set in place, pool accidents may still happen. It is important to know what to do. Make sure a cordless phone is always near the pool. If an accident happens, it will be easier for someone to call 911. Adults should learn how to perform CPR. The Red Cross offers low-cost classes, and some hospitals or health clinics offer free classes. Make sure kids know how to dial 911, and they should know what address to tell emergency response teams to locate.

3. Teach kids how to swim. Although toddlers may not be up for actual swimming lessons, it is good to put them in the water with floating pool toys. Do not leave them alone, but let them get accustomed to the water. When children are old enough for swimming lessons, enroll them in beginner courses. Let them continue until they complete all of the courses. Adults who have never taken swimming lessons should also learn how to swim. As a backup, it is helpful to have a life-saving floating raft attached to a rope or pole.

4. Keep the pool area safe. When the pool is not in use, make sure it is covered. Purchase a pool cover manufactured by professionals. Never use a tarp. Some nets work well as pool covers, but they become weathered over time, so be sure to replace them every few years. Nets may also be easy for some children to remove. The optimal choice is a durable hard cover with a locking mechanism. Make sure there is a fence around the pool or yard. The fence should stand at least four feet high. If a house is used as a fourth side to enclose a pool, install door alarms. This will alert parents when kids enter the pool area. It is also helpful to install underwater alarms or surface wave alarms. If parents do not deactivate these alarms, they will go off when kids enter the pool.

If a child is missing, be sure to check the pool first. This is a thought that no parent wants to dwell on, but it is best to rule out that possibility first. Parents should always carefully watch kids who are playing in the pool. Accidents can happen in a second, and children can start drowning in less than a minute. Check drain covers frequently, and make sure they are compliant with current regulations. A pool service company will be able to provide information about current drain cover specifications. Remember to keep any gates to the pool area locked. Homeowners may be liable for uninvited people who wander into an unlocked pool area and get injured.

It can be hard to hear your kids call your beloved television show reruns, choice of music, hairstyle, and/or clothes old school, but you’ll have to remember that you probably didn’t exactly jive with your parent’s choices either. While Elvis’s Rubbernecking may forever play in your head and never become dated in your eyes, you should realize that your driving techniques may be one dated area truly in need of an update. The advances made to automotive technology and in safety research have likely made most of what you learned as a new driver not only dated, but dangerous.

Here are six tips to bring your driving skills up-to-date and avoid jeopardizing your safety, as well as those around you.

1. Seat position – airbags have made seat positioning an important safety issue for drivers and passengers. When airbags were first placed in vehicles, they caused some serious injuries to drivers seated too close during a deployment. Even modern de-powered airbags can deploy at 150 mph and cause serious injuries if the driver isn’t seated at a safe distance. Position your seat 10-12 inches from the steering wheel.

2. Hand position – you probably learned to keep your hands palm-side down at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock as you grip the steering wheel. Today, it’s recommended that your left hand be at 8 o’clock and your right hand be at 4 o’clock to help prevent your arms from tiring during prolonged driving. It’s also recommended to place your thumbs atop the steering wheel and wrap your fingers underneath the wheel.

3. Wheel turns – you probably learned the hand-over-hand method of turning the steering wheel. It’s now recommended to use a push-pull-slide method where one hand pushes the wheel up as the other hand pulls it down. Neither forearm will cross the steering wheel hub, and neither hand will leave the steering wheel. The upward pushing hand continues to push as it slides back to it’s original positioning. Meanwhile, the other hand is sliding back as it continues to pull. The driving technique is aimed at reducing the risk of hitting yourself in the face if your airbag were to deploy.

4. Normal breaking – it’s been discovered that you have the greatest control over breaking when you keep your heel on the floorboard and normally break with the toes. Ensure that you judge stopping distances accurately in order to use the same degree of braking pressure from the time you first break until the vehicle actually comes to a complete stop.

5. Breaking on slick surfaces – leave the transmission in drive and remove your foot from the accelerator if you’re breaking on a slick surface area. The drag of engine compression will help the vehicle to slow down quicker.

6. Emergency breaking – anti-lock breaking systems, or ABS, mean that you no longer need to pump the breaks. During emergency breaking, just maintain a firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Remember to steer in the direction you need the vehicle to go.

 

 Cleaning up is usually not a task many people enjoy.  Whether it’s washing the dishes after a big meal or scrubbing the shower, most people would rather put off until tomorrow what they should be doing today.

The same is true for housekeeping at work.  Employees get involved in the day-to-day routine, always intending to clean up but never quite doing it.  Sometimes, they make a half-hearted attempt at sweeping aside some paper, but it doesn’t attack the real problem.  That’s because the problem with poor on-site housekeeping goes beyond just hygiene.  Lack of regular housekeeping can actually be the catalyst for injury.

Employers should establish a routine housekeeping program and designate someone to administer it and to ensure employees follow it consistently.  If a housekeeping program is going to be truly effective, management must show they have enough commitment to the program to formalize it and have a designated overseer.

This kind of strict adherence to good housekeeping practices will lower your company’s accident rates, which in turn lowers costs for medical claims and workers’ compensation.  Fewer injuries occur when there is sufficient work area for employees to move freely while doing their jobs.  Fewer injuries can also lead to increased production.  When work areas are hazard-free and supplies and equipment are orderly, workers can perform their jobs more efficiently with little down time spent looking for what they need.

A clean workplace also helps workers think more clearly. If employees know they will be able to access what they need to perform their jobs, a major source of stress in the workplace is eliminated. Work becomes less like “work” and much more enjoyable. As employees find themselves less burdened with concerns about being physically able to get the job done, it boosts their morale, in turn increasing production and quality of their output.

What should you include in your on-site housekeeping program? The California State Compensation Insurance Fund recommends the following:

• Neatly arrange small parts, tools, cords, hoses, and equipment

• Close drawers and cabinet doors when not in use

• Store materials and supplies away from edges and at a stable height

• Clean up liquid spills and tracked in water, mud, and snow, which could cause a slip and fall

• Properly store or dispose of oily rags or flammable liquids

• Put scraps or debris in available trash containers

• Keep aisles, walkways, platforms, and stairways clean, clear, and dry

• Insure easy access to fire extinguishers, safety equipment, and emergency exits

The most important lesson to teach employees is that following good housekeeping practices is an ongoing process that every worker should adhere to each and every day.  Once good housekeeping practices become a part of your workplace culture, it will take less time and effort to follow them because they will be second nature to your employees.

Huff Insurance is a full service Independent Insurance Agent We have been dedicated to Protecting Lifestyles™ since 1960. We offer a full array of Personal Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Life Insurance & Health Insurance products. Call us at 410-647-111