by GDI Insurance | Workers Compensation
Successful companies aren’t just companies that make a lot of money.
Successful companies are those with a glowing outside and a healthy inside.
They are businesses that take care of their employees just as much as their customers.
Recently, there’s been a big push for cheap or cut-rate workers’ compensation insurance. And, when considered as part of your safety program, workers’ comp is an investment in your business’ most important asset – your employees.
Here are three reasons why a good workers’ comp policy is everything:
✔️It’s required in most states
✔️It helps injured workers get what they need
✔️And, it protects your business
But what matters most is choosing an insurance broker that helps you through the policy selection process and helps you choose a policy for your business that is the best it can be.
At GDI, we know how hard it can be sometimes when choosing. Workers’ comp requirements change by state, and policies vary by company.
So, we let you lead us. We’ll help you compare policies, prices, and allow you to choose the right one for you. And we help you save money too.
Our programs allow you to insure your own employees and give them the peace of mind that you have prepared for anything.
It shows not that you’re thinking about yourself, but that you care about them. You see them as the lifeblood of your business, because they are.
by Grant Davis | Construction, Insurance, Safety Tips
Crane Safety on a Construction Site
Cranes are massive pieces of equipment common to many construction sites that make lifting and transporting heavy materials much easier. While they are an important asset, there are hazards involving all aspects of crane use on a construction site. Think of these crane safety tips when working with a crane at your construction site.
You’ll Have The Support Of GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. Experts On A Continuing Basis
Here are just a few of the added value items GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. provides:
- We review your contracts
- Review your certificates of insurance
- Additional insured endorsements
- Put on classes for your staff on these topics
- Full OSHA compliant safety programs
Selecting a Crew
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), only certified crane operators are allowed to operate cranes on a construction site. Operators may be certified through a third-party organization or through their employer, provided the employer is qualified to train the operator.
In addition to one or more operators, there are other positions that need to be filled in order to use a crane.
A “competent person” must conduct shift and monthly inspections of all equipment. OSHA defines a competent person as a person “capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”
OSHA defines a “qualified person” as a person “who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.” Qualified persons must conduct annual and comprehensive inspection of all equipment, along with duties associated with assembly and disassembly, fall protection, maintenance and repair, and wire rope safety.
Signal persons and maintenance and repair employees must be properly certified, as well.
Preparing the Area
Cranes take up a lot of space, so preparing the area where a crane will be used is important to ensure the job gets done safely and efficiently. Consider the following crane safety when preparing the area:
- Is the ground firm and level? Softer ground is ideal for a crawler crane, while a mobile truck crane works best on hard, dry ground. OSHA mandates that ground conditions must be drained and graded before a crane can be assembled and used. In addition, supporting materials (e.g., blocking, mats, cribbing) should be used.
- Can the crane safely rotate 360 degrees? Tower cranes and telescopic cranes often need to rotate in order to transport materials, so they need to be able to rotate a full 360 degrees. Make sure there are no power lines or buildings in the crane’s path.
- Is there adequate space for the outriggers? Studies have shown that as many as 50 percent of crane accidents occur because the outriggers are not properly used. Some cranes come equipped with outriggers for added stability and to provide the maximum lifting power. Many of today’s cranes have multiple outrigger positions to adapt to more ground conditions.
- Are access roads provided? Adequate access roads into and through the site are necessary for the safe delivery and movement of derricks, cranes, trucks, other necessary equipment, and the material to be erected.
Once a suitable site for the crane has been selected, work can begin.
Access and Egress
One of the most overlooked hazards when using a crane is simply getting on and off the equipment for assembly, disassembly and use. For example, lattice boom cranes require employees to walk on the boom sections to install and remove pins for assembly and disassembly, creating a hazard. Equipment made after Nov. 8, 2011, must be manufactured with built-in walkways for this type of crane. For equipment made before Nov. 8, 2011, the employer must provide fall protection for employees who are on a walking or working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet above a lower level when assembling or disassembling a crane, and more than six feet when performing non-assembly or -disassembly work.
Equipment that is manufactured after this date must be equipped to provide safe access and egress between the ground and the operator work station(s), including the forward and rear positions. Walking and stepping surfaces, except for crawler treads, must have slip-resistant features, such as diamond plate metal, strategically placed grip tape, expanded metal or slip-resistant paint.
It is common for the area around the crane to get muddy, so extra precautions should be taken when walking in and around the equipment. The area in front of ladders and walkways should be free of water and mud to avoid slipping. Only ladders or ramps should be used as a means of access or egress from a cab. Scrap lumber or other miscellaneous materials should not be used.
Rigging
There are special precautions workers must take when rigging a crane. Materials often weight several tons, enough to crush just about anything it its path. Riggers must be qualified to perform any rigging work. Follow these crane safety tips to prevent accidents and injuries while rigging:
- Plan a rigging schedule to avoid rigging above or near areas where other work is being performed.
- Never exceed the maximum lifting capacity of a crane.
- Only use hooks with self-closing latches.
- Inspect straps and chains daily for defects:
- Nylon straps tear easily, so examine them for even the slightest fraying.
- Straps with knots in them can reduce the lifting capacity by up to 50 percent.
- Chain links can crack, stretch, twist or warp.
- Rope can get kinked or fray.
- Never leave materials suspended on a crane for extended periods of time.
Clearly, there are many hazards associated with using cranes on construction sites. However, they are an essential part of many construction projects and can be safe if everyone involved is properly trained. Contact GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. for more information on staying safe in construction sites.
California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management
As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more. With locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive contractor insurance quote!
by Grant Davis | Insurance, OSHA, Risk Management, Safety Tips, Workers Compensation
Safety & Health Recordkeeping
No operation can be successful without adequate safety and health recordkeeping, which enables you to learn from past experience and make corrections for future operations. Records of accidents, work-related injuries, illnesses and property losses serve as a valuable purpose.
Under Cal/OSHA recordkeeping requirements, all information on accidents is gathered and stored. Upon review, causes can be identified and control procedures instituted to prevent the illness or injury from recurring. Keep in mind that any inspection of your workplace may require you to demonstrate the effectiveness of your program.
Download Our Full Guide to Developing a Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program!
Injury & Illness Records
Injury and illness recordkeeping requirements under Cal/OSHA require a minimum amount of paperwork.
These records give you one measure for evaluating the success of your safety and health activities: success would generally mean a reduction or elimination of employee injuries or illnesses during a calendar year.
Five important steps are required by the Cal/OSHA recordkeeping system:
- Each employer (unless exempt by size or industry) must record each fatality, injury or illness that is work-related, is a new case, or meets one or more of the general recording criteria specified in Title 8, Section 14300.
- Record each injury or illness on the Cal/OSHA Log of Occupational Work Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300) according to its instructions.
- Prepare an Injury and Illness Incident Report (Form 301), or equivalent.
- Annually review and certify the Cal/OSHA Form 300 and post the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300A) no later than February 1 and keep it posted where employees can see it until April 30.
- Maintain the last five years of these records in your files.NOTE: Additional information on recordkeeping can be found on the Internet at: www.californiaosha.info or www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH
During the year, regularly review these records to see where your injuries and illnesses are occurring. Look for any patterns or repeat situations. These records can help you identify hazardous areas in your workplace and pinpoint where immediate corrective action is needed.
Since the basic Cal/OSHA records are for reportable injuries and illnesses only, you might expand your system to include all incidents relating to workplace safety and health, even those where no injury or illness resulted. Such information can assist you in pinpointing unsafe acts, conditions or procedures.
Exposure Records
Injury and illness records may not be the only records you need to maintain. Cal/ OSHA standards concerning toxic substances and hazardous exposures require records of employee exposure to these substances and sources, physical examination reports, employment records, and other information.
Employers using any regulated carcinogens have additional reporting and recordkeeping requirements. See Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations for details.
Documentation of Your Activities
Essential records, including those legally required for workers’ compensation, insurance audits and government inspections must be maintained for as long as required.
For most employers, Cal/OSHA standards also require that you keep records of steps taken to establish and maintain your Injury and Illness Prevention Program. They must include:
- Records of scheduled and periodic inspections as required by the standard to identify unsafe conditions and work practices. The documentation must include the name of the person(s) conducting the inspection, the unsafe conditions and work practices identified, and the action taken to correct the unsafe conditions and work practices. The records are to be maintained for at least one year. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees may elect to maintain the inspection records only until the hazard is corrected.
- Documentation of safety and health training required by standards for each employee. The documentation must specifically include employee name or other identifier, training dates, type(s) of training and the name of the training provider. These records must also be kept for at least one year, except that training records of employees who have worked for less than one year for the employer need not be retained beyond the term of employment if they are provided to the employee upon termination of employment.
Also, employers with fewer than 10 employees can substantially comply with the documentation provision by maintaining a log of instructions provided to the employee with respect to the hazards unique to the employees’ job assignment when first hired or assigned new duties. Some relief from documentation is available for employers with fewer than 20 employees who are working in industries that are on the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR’s) designated list of low-hazard industries, and for employers with fewer than 20 employees who are not on DlR’s list of high-hazard industries and who have a Workers’ Compensation Experience Modification Rate of 1.1 or less.
For these industries, written documentation of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program may be limited to:
- Written documentation of the identity of the person or persons with authority and responsibility for implementing the program;
- Written documentation of scheduled periodic inspections to identify unsafe conditions and work practices; and
- Written documentation of training and instruction.
Keeping such records fulfills your responsibilities under General Industry Safety Order 3203. It also affords an efficient means to review your current safety and health activities for better control of your operations and to plan future improvements.
California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management
As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more.
With locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive California workers compensation insurance quote!
by Grant Davis | Construction, GDI Insurance, Insurance, OSHA, Risk Management, Safety Tips
Keep Your Construction Site Safe with Ground Faults Protection
According to the National Institute of Safety and Health, the most frequently cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) electrical violation is improper grounding of equipment or circuits. This is especially troubling for construction managers in light of the fact that construction workers suffer more electrical burns and fatal electrical injuries than workers in all other industries combined. Each incident carries significant costs in terms of lost time and resources and increases the employer’s risk of costly lawsuits. The most unfortunate aspect of this threat is that many of these accidents could have been prevented with the implementation of proper ground fault protection practices.
GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. provides California contractors insurance solutions specifically-tailored for construction businesses.
We include the following for our clients:
OSHA Regulations
OSHA requires employers to provide at least one of the following:
- Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on construction sites for receptacle outlets in use and not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure
- A scheduled and recorded Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program (AEGCP), covering all cord sets, receptacles not part of the permanent wiring of the building, and equipment connected by cord and plug
About GFCIs
Grounding a tool or electrical system involves creating a low-resistance electrical path that connects to the earth. A ground-fault occurs in a tool or electrical system when there is a break in this low-resistance grounding path. The electrical current may then take an alternative path to the ground through the user, resulting in serious injuries or death. GFCIs automatically limit or stop the flow of current in the event of a ground fault, overload or short circuit in the wiring system. They operate by monitoring the amount of current going into electric equipment and the amount of current flowing out along the circuit conductors. If the difference exceeds 5 milliamperes, the device automatically shuts off the power to prevent injury.
About AEGCPs
The OSHA-approved alternative to using GFCIs on a construction site is an AEGCP, which is a regimented system for testing electrical tools and extension cords to assure their proper ground fault protection. If an AEGCP is used in place of GFCIs for ground fault protection, the following minimum requirements apply:
- Keep a written description of the program at the jobsite. Outline specific procedures for the required equipment inspections, tests and test schedule, and make them available to OSHA and to affected persons upon demand.
- Designate one or more competent persons to implement the program. OSHA defines a competent person as someone who is qualified to identify hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective measures.
- Visually inspect all cord sets, attachment caps, plugs and receptacles, and any equipment connected by cord and plug, before use each day. If you see any external damage—such as deformed or missing pins, or damaged insulation—or discover internal damage, take the equipment out of use until it is repaired.
- Perform two OSHA-required tests on all electrical equipment, a continuity test, and a terminal connection test. These tests are required under the following circumstances:
- Before first use
- After any repairs, and before placing back in service
- After suspected damage, and before returning to use
- Every 3 months
- Maintain a written record of the required tests, identifying all equipment that passed the test and the last date it was tested (or the testing interval). Like the program description, make it available to OSHA inspectors and affected persons upon demand.
Using GFCIs in Conjunction with AEGCPs
Although OSHA permits the use of an AEGCP in lieu of GFCIs, it would be a mistake to view the choice as strictly an either/or proposition. The best course of action is to use GFCIs in conjunction with an Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program. Taking this step will not eliminate the possibility of a costly electrical accident on the worksite, but it will significantly reduce the risk of injury or death due to ground faults.
California’s Leader in Insurance and Risk Management
As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more. With locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business. Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your comprehensive contractors insurance quote!
by Grant Davis | Insurance, Workers Compensation
How To Save Money on Workers Compensation
The key to saving money on your workers compensation is more than just stopping a few accidents; it is having sound safety procedures designed to continually improve. By having an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant safety program can reduce injuries, illnesses and save Workers Compensation dollars.
A broker from GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. will do this for you and can offer additional ways to save money on your workers comp insurance.
Safety Program Goals
Investigate near-miss incidents to prevent future accidents. Seventy-five percent of accidents are preceded by a near miss.- Create a risk control service plan based on your workers’ compensation losses. Pay particular attention to frequency and severity of claims to craft an appropriate plan.
- Justify your risk control expenditures strategically to senior management so you receive the budget you need. Be sure they understand the importance of your company’s safety program and the money it saves in the long run.
- Based on your experience with prior claims, create a workers’ compensation cost allocation program. Budget money by examining what types of claims you’ve had over the past several years and their cost.
- Benchmark your company’s workers’ compensation performance against other comparable companies in your industry. This will help you identify areas to improve upon.
General Safety Procedures
- Protect your employees by minimizing any job hazards. You should always be evaluating every aspects of your workplace to ensure the safest environment possible.
- Prepare emergency announcements, and do test runs of emergency response systems to familiarize employees.
- Choose a practical flooring surface, not just one that looks nice. Often, the best looking floors can be the most dangerous and will be slippery when wet.
- Customize work spaces to fit each employee’s needs through ergonomic adjustments. By ensuring that an employee’s work space is tailored, you create a safer environment less prone to bodily stress or injury, and thus, less prone to workers’ compensation claims.
- Educate your employees on the safest way to lift objects. Squatting with bent knees minimizes the stress to the back, regardless of what is being lifted.
- Create a policy on distracted driving. Motor vehicle accidents account for a large percentage of work-related fatalities. Eating and drinking, cell phone use and music devices are all possible sources of distraction behind the wheel. The use of such devices could also be illegal, as more state and federal agencies crack down on distracted driving. A good policy can help prevent fatalities and limit liability for your company.
- Along the same lines, prohibit texting while driving regardless of whether or not your state specifically prohibits the practice. Texting while driving makes an employee 23 times more likely to have an accident. A federal ban prohibiting divers of commercial vehicles from texting has also been recently enacted. Create a written policy for both distracted driving and texting while driving, and have all employees sign off on it.
- Establish and enforce disciplinary measures for safety violations. There should be some type of corrective action for any employee who doesn’t abide by safety requirements.
- Train your supervisors in-house. They may have previously been trained as supervisors in general, but they need to also be trained in your particular work environment.
Learn More About Workers Compensation
Download our “Money Saving Workers Compensation Tips”. This PDF is full of Workers Compensation strategies that will positively effect your bottom line.
California’s Leader in Workers Compensation Insurance and Risk Management
As one of the fastest growing agencies in California, .GDI Insurance Agency, Inc is able to provide its clients with the latest and greatest of what the insurance industry has to offer and much, much more. With locations across the heart of California’s Central Valley and beyond to provide a local feel to the solutions and services we provide our clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations in every interaction to make sure that our client’s know how much we value and appreciate their business.
Contact us today 1-209-634-2929 for your California Workers Compensation insurance quote!
