Skip to content

risk

Swimming Pool Insurance and Risk Management Guide

Summer is just around the corner. Weather permitted and people are rushing to swimming pools for fun, workout, recreation. If your facility manages swimming pool (including HOAs), take a moment to review this guide as using swimming pools and spas involves a certain amount of risk. You do not want an accident to spoil the good times patrons have come to expect. Fortunately, most accidents can be prevented, but it takes a great deal of responsibility and diligence on your part.Managing a swimming facility is complex, so this guide is not intended to provide all the answers regarding swimming pool… Read More »Swimming Pool Insurance and Risk Management Guide

Frozen 2

The California 2nd District Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling that the lawsuit against White Memorial Hospital was filed too late, the ABC News reported on 4/3/2014. M.A. was declared dead in July 2010 after suffering a heart attack and was placed in a freezer at the Boyle Heights hospital. Morticians who received her body a few days later discovered that it was face down and the woman had a broken nose and disfiguring cuts and bruises to her face, according to court papers. One year later a pathologist concluded the woman had been frozen alive, “eventually woke up”… Read More »Frozen 2

Small Businesses Must Prep for Flu Season

For small businesses, productivity and operations can be negatively affected by the flu as employees stay home, or are urged to stay home, to limit the threat of spreading flu to others. In order to help reduce the potential spread of the flu virus and maintain business operations, small business owners should develop a comprehensive flu contingency plan before the start of flu season to minimize the impact of illness on their bottom lines.

Below are five elements to consider:

1. Educate employees on steps to help reduce the spread of the flu.

Small businesses should develop a short document that educates employees on how the flu virus is spread and circulate it widely. Below are a few items to include:

  • Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets through person-to-person or other close contact.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough to help prevent spreading of the virus.
  • If you are around people who are sick, avoid close contact to reduce the chance of getting their illness.
  • Keep your hands clean, washing them regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because they are entry points into your body for germs.

Read More »Small Businesses Must Prep for Flu Season

Introduction to Business Continuity Planning

Each year, businesses and organizations are affected by man-made and natural events and disasters. Market competition and the fast pace of business demands that companies be prepared to respond to these events to help prevent or reduce business interruption and loss. These events run the gamut from fires, explosions, weather-related and other natural disasters to man-made events, including terrorism, data theft, cyber attacks on computer systems and networks, extended power outages and critical equipment breakdown. Major events can cause extensive disruption and damage to business and business operations. In a highly competitive, global economy, the inability of organizations to respond quickly and continuously to an adverse event could mean that consumers, clients and customers go elsewhere. Loss of customers, market share, and extended down times can result in your businesses never reopening. The importance of business continuity planning, that is, a continuous process and plan to identify the impacts of events and potential losses and ensure viable recovery strategies and continuity of services, cannot be overstated.

An organization’s business continuity plan should be an integral part of its operating strategy and part of its overall business planning process. It is not a “one-shot” project or one-time activity. Rather, it is an integral part of an effective business strategy. It requires a pre-defined, thoughtful approach and planning ahead. A well-executed and practiced business continuity plan is not only intended to help organizations recover and return to operations as quickly as possible. It also can be an important defense in reducing the overall impact on its business.
This guide is a high-level introduction to core business continuity planning concepts. Companies should tailor their own plan to their particular situation and needs.

Read More »Introduction to Business Continuity Planning

Stair Safety Slip and Fall Prevention

stair safetySlip and fall is the #1 liability claim from a frequency and severity standpoint. Numerous factors can contribute to these types of injuries, including inadequate lighting, missing or damaged handrails, poor maintenance/condition, slippery conditions, loose floor coverings, irregular design of stairs and housekeeping.

The following guidelines will help reduce your chances of slips and falls from stairs.
Read More »Stair Safety Slip and Fall Prevention

Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

commercial grade kitchen equipmentOperation of a commercial grade kitchen, many safety considerations should be addressed, including food safety, employee and volunteer safety, and fire safety. This blog post addresses the specific issues associated with providing adequate fire safety for your kitchen.

Commercial cooking operations are defined as kitchens that have cooking equipment that produce grease and grease laden vapors. This includes flat grills, char broilers and deep fat fryers. The typical residential range (electric or gas) would not be considered a grease producing appliance. Other equipment, such as ovens, microwaves and steam kettles also fall into the non-grease producing appliance category. The following is information regarding two of the most common types of equipment that produce grease and/or grease laden vapors.

Deep Fat Fryers

Deep fat fryers are a major cause of kitchen fires. Oil can splash and easily come into contact with an open flame from an adjacent piece of cooking equipment, such as a gas-fired range top. A 18-inch clearance must be maintained between the deep fat fryer and the open flame cooking equipment. If a 18-inch clearance is not possible, a vertical steel barrier extending 12 inches above the top of the deep fat fryer or open flame appliance(s) can be used as an alternative means of protection.Read More »Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

Five Tips That Can Help You Stay Safe During the Holidays

The holidays are meant to be a time for fun and celebration with family and friends. However, the hectic pace of the holidays can also present increased risks, such as overcrowded stores and greater opportunities for thieves to target your valuables and personal information. Here are five simple tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season:
  1. Watch Out for Porch Pirates
    Theft of packages from front porches and stoops increase as online shopping drives more home deliveries during the holidays. Take advantage of electronic delivery alerts and other protections to make sure your gifts are safely delivered — and received.Read More »Five Tips That Can Help You Stay Safe During the Holidays

Candle Safety

candle with smokeAccording to Underwriters Laboratories (UL): “Fire statistics show that one out of every three candle fires occurred when candles were left unattended or were inadequately controlled. One out of four fires occurred when a combustible material, such as curtains or a pillow, came too close to the candle.”

As part of your organization’s risk management program, the first duty is to eliminate possible exposures. This includes the use of candles. Unless your traditions require the use of candles, it is recommended that they not be used, or that flameless candles be substituted. Flameless candles are very realistic, battery operated, widely available, and some even come with timers. As with all electrically powered devices, ensure that electric candles are UL listed, so not to trade one fire hazard for another.Read More »Candle Safety

Tips for avoiding slip, trip and fall accidents

Slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of injury for businesses and workplaces. Employees and other parties on your premises – visitors, customers, vendors, contractors and subcontractors – could be at risk for this type of accident or injury.

It is a common misconception that slip and fall injuries “just happen” and that there is little that can be done to prevent them. Years of experience show that proper slip, trip and fall prevention can help in reducing the number of injuries and in reducing loss costs.

Slips-Trips-Falls

Read More »Tips for avoiding slip, trip and fall accidents

Preventing offline identity fraud

offline identity fraudIdentity fraud does not always begin online. According to Travelers claim data, 44 percent of ID fraud cases happen when a person’s purse or wallet has been lost or stolen. Because thieves can use the information they find inside, here are some ways to help protect yourself and your identity.

Watch your wallet and purse
Many people store personal information in their purses and wallets, making it easier for thieves to commit identity fraud. Help secure your identity by keeping your purse and wallet in a safe place and carrying only essentials when you go out. Leave credit cards you will not be using in a secure place at home. Unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid carrying Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports as they contain key pieces of personal information thieves could use to steal your identity.Read More »Preventing offline identity fraud