You're about to embark on a major new construction project. If you're a wise and experienced professional -- contractor, architect or engineer, say -- your first thought likely might be: What could go wrong? That's a sound starting point. Research a couple of years ago* showed that 75% of construction industry participants had suffered a claim or dispute arising from their role in a project in the prior five years. In other words, you're lucky if you can manage to escape those disputes, which cover a whole range of endgames -- from rectifying minor issues to facing years-long legal actions. However, there are several key steps that can strongly mitigate those risks and keep you in the complaints-free 25% zone. What Causes Construction Defects? There are, of course, countless sources of defect complaints but nearly all of them fall into one or more of four categories -- defects in: Design, usually the result of errors, incomplete information, incompetence or neglige ... [...]

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The violence that occurs in U.S. neighborhoods and communities has found its way inside the schoolhouse doors. While we can take solace in knowing that schools are among the safest places for young people, school officials, administrators and teachers must do more to prevent violence, as it is a preventable danger to children. Education and training is the first step in preventing school violence, and a safe school plan is among the many solutions that will assist in curbing this national epidemic. These plans address behavioral and property protection, and foster an environment where children can learn and teachers can educate without fear. As with all violence prevention initiatives, the best plans involve the entire school and the community at large. Early Warning Signs of Violence There are many early warning signs in most cases of violence, behavioral or emotional signs that, when taken in context, can signal a troubled child. Such signs may not indicate a serious problem or ... [...]

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According to a report by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Labor, a staggering 69 percent of all workplace injuries and illnesses may not be represented in the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, which many trust as a gauge of the safety of American workplaces. On a corporate level, not reporting or under-reporting workplace injuries can have serious ramifications for the organization and the employer, which can include fines, exorbitant and unnecessary, health costs and more. Research has found that the employer’s behavior, policies and attitude are key determinants in a worker’s decision to report an injury. Not only is it essential that employees are educated on the importance of reporting injuries, it is also important to examine your company policies so you are not inadvertently discouraging reporting. The consequences of under-reporting can be severe. Consequences of Under-reporting The ... [...]

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Turnover of industrial and commercial property is a fact of life. And not always because of lease expiry. Owners and investors may not like it, if it continues for too long. Yet it also gives them an opportunity to re-evaluate strategy, review rents, remodel, re-purpose, or even sell. But making the most of opportunity also calls for safeguarding what you already have. Protecting your vacant commercial property means not only protecting your investment but also, potentially, saving money and the hassle that comes with damage, leakage, pollution, neglect and other perils that empty buildings face. Every year, tens of thousands of vacant buildings in the US are damaged or destroyed by fire, defaced and damaged by vandals and other intruders, seriously affected by water leakage, and targeted by opportunist thieves. Even garbage dumpers have been known to drop all manner of trash on vacant sites, from mattresses to concrete and other building waste. Yet, a few smart precautions, ... [...]

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Can saving lives or avoiding injury be reconciled with saving time and money -- more commonly seen as a route to cutting corners -- on construction sites? Yes, of course. Because following correct safety procedures to protect yourself and others avoids stoppages and the associated costs. Even though there has been a steady decline in fatalities and injuries over the past couple of decades, there is still huge scope for improvement in safety in the construction industry. In particular, electrical safety on work-sites is a key target for improvement The construction industry still accounts for more than half of all fatal electrical injuries and a loss of an average of 10 days per non-fatally injured person (of whom there are more than 2,200 every year in the US). Construction site ground-fault protection provides a powerful safety case in point. Every year, one out of every 40 workplace fatalities is caused by exposure to electric current,* but that number would likely be s ... [...]

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Don’t miss an important meeting or family gathering, and don’t be that person who makes everyone else wait in line. Real IDs are set to become a new requirement in the security process for flying in the United States, and if you don’t take the necessary steps to prepare for the changes, you won’t be going anywhere. Starting Oct. 1, 2020, all travelers 18 years of age and older will be required to have a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, or another acceptable form of identification, to fly in the United States. Minors do not need Real ID-compliant identification as long as they are accompanied by a compliant adult.  The Real ID Act was originally passed by Congress in 2005 following a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission that the federal government increase standards and security for identification. The legislation established new regulations for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and instructs federal agencies not to accept ... [...]

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The Importance of Cyber Liability As technology becomes increasingly important for successful business operations, the value of a strong cyber liability insurance policy will only continue to grow. The continued rise in the amount of information stored and transferred electronically has resulted in a remarkable increase in the potential exposures facing businesses. In an age where a stolen laptop or hacked account can instantly compromise the personal data of thousands of customers, or an ill-advised post on a social media site can be read by hundreds in a matter of minutes, protecting yourself from cyber liability is just as important as some of the more traditional exposures businesses account for in their general commercial liability policies. Why Cyber Liability Insurance? A traditional business liability policy is extremely unlikely to protect against most cyber exposures. Standard commercial policies are written to insure against injury or physical loss and will do little, if anything, to shield ... [...]

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Follow these four tips to protect your business from fires.  Fires can cause widespread devastation and are one of the biggest threats to any business.  Robertson Insurance and Risk Management believes that preventing accidents with a Risk Management plan should be your first priority.  Contact us today at 717-625-3770 for your consultation.

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Ransomware attacks are expected to increase in frequency to every 14 seconds by 2019.  Follow these tips to help protect your business.  Robertson Insurance & Risk Management is your source for cyber liability insurance in Pennsylvania.

 

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OSHA's reporting has changed, make sure your business is prepared. All employers who are required to keep and maintain an OSHA Form 300 injury and illness log are required to post their OSHA Form 300A summary sheet in their workplaces by Feb. 1, 2018. Contact Robertson Insurance & Risk Management today for your consultation 717-625-3770.

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