05 Mar

Posted at 20:24h in Risk Management White Papers by . .

Safety Matters Header image Soil classification is an important part of preparing for excavation or trenching work.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trenching is one of the most dangerous types of work in the construction sector. In fact, 40 construction workers are killed annually from being caught in trench cave-ins. However, with proper precautions, these deaths are largely preventable.\ One method for detecting hazards in trenching operations is to conduct investigations in order to identify trenching conditions. Part of the identification process is having a competent person classify the soil that is being excavated to determine the hazards that could occur with that particular soil.

26 Feb

Posted at 20:04h in Risk Management White Papers by . .

Risk Insights header image The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly forced many people to work at a location other than their normal workplace.

If you are working from home for the first time, getting the correct home workstation setup can be challenging. Your workstation might be a home office, a kitchen table or wherever you can find the necessary space. Unfortunately, it's easy to overlook ergonomics in the home environment. However, by understanding basic home ergonomics and taking small steps, you can positively impact your health and well-being.

26 Feb

Posted at 19:50h in Risk Management White Papers by . .

Risk Insights header image Shoplifting can become a costly problem for any retailer. According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, over $35 million worth of merchandise gets stolen from retailers each day.

Furthermore, the latest data from the National Retail Federation provides that shoplifting is the leading cause of inventory shrinkage among retail businesses—contributing to 39% of shrinkage concerns.

26 Feb

Posted at 19:23h in Human Resources White Papers, Risk Management White Papers by . .

HR Insights Blog Header Power outages are an unfortunate reality and often strike fast and unexpectedly, leaving employees looking for answers.

Often a result of extreme winter or other severe weather, a power outage can leave a workplace without the heat or lights on, and the impact can extend to employees’ homes—and their personal safety. Employee relations are critical before, during and after a crisis, and HR professionals and leaders can play a pivotal role in helping to protect employees in this time of need. Unfortunately, power outages can create challenges for communicating with employees at the time when information is most critical, so it’s important to prepare accordingly.

19 Feb

Posted at 17:42h in Risk Management White Papers by . .

Risk Insights header image Sprinkler heads are largely responsible for detecting the presence of a fire at your commercial property and activating the sprinkler system’s water dispersal capabilities—thus suppressing the flames and mitigating damage.

Data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests that effective sprinkler systems can reduce total deaths and property loss from fire incidents by over 65%. However, sprinkler heads must be properly maintained in order to operate correctly in the event of a fire. That’s why it’s important to take steps to ensure the effectiveness of your property’s sprinkler heads and keep them in good condition.  

19 Feb

Posted at 16:29h in Risk Management White Papers by . .

You can’t control the weather—but you can take safety measures to protect your family and home against the threat and hazards of power outages.

If severe weather or intense winter chill hits unexpectedly, power outages can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. However, if you’re already in the dark, there are still steps you can take to keep everyone safe until your power is restored.