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Loss Control Tips To Protect Your Wisconsin Business

Loss control

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations serve their communities by working toward furthering social causes or providing other public benefits. Through charitable donations and other forms of fundraising, nonprofit organizations can help raise awareness on important topics and offer valuable resources or assistance to community members in need. However, operating a nonprofit organization also carries significant risks.

These organizations have to manage numerous property and liability exposures, including working with volunteers, assisting vulnerable populations, serving food and drinks, hosting events or fundraisers and leading various community initiatives. That’s why it’s vital to have effective loss control measures in place. This resource outlines common risks nonprofit organizations must address and offers helpful strategies to avoid possible claims.

Premises Liability

Nonprofit organizations are at risk of various liability concerns. For example, rental or property damage to a third-party caused by a nonprofit organization or its employees can lead to costly claims. In addition, injuries to volunteers, members, or visitors/customers could result in litigation. Therefore, it’s important for nonprofit organizations to take the following measures to limit their premises liability:

  • Keep the parking lot in good repair by conducting regular inspections and maintenance. Make it a priority to fix potholes, cracks and other slip and trip hazards as quickly as possible. Maintain adequate snow removal and de-icing protocols throughout the property during winter months.
  • Ensure all floor surfaces in the building remain clean and dry. Place water-resistant rugs at all property entrances to eliminate slip and trip concerns from excess moisture during adverse weather conditions (e.g., rain, ice and snow).
  • Make sure all emergency exits are properly marked and free of obstructions. Instruct employees never to block an exit, even temporarily. Post property signage that clearly outlines emergency evacuation routes and procedures.
  • Ensure proper food preparation and serving protocols are followed if the establishment hosts events where food is sold or provided.

Professional Liability

A work mistake, failure to provide promised services or alleged negligence can be detrimental to a nonprofit organization, as they could result in major lawsuits or financial losses. To minimize professional liability risks, nonprofit organizations can implement the following procedures:

  • Develop and implement an adequate vetting and application process for hiring both paid staff and volunteers.
  • Ensure a training program is in place for new staff members and volunteers. Volunteers should be partnered with experienced employees until they are able to demonstrate full competence in their designated.
  • Establish adequate protocols for handling allegations of child molestation, sexual misconduct or other forms of harassment against employees.

Contact Midwest Insurance To Discuss Loss Control Strategies For Your Wisconsin Business

Midwest Insurance Group partners with Erie insurance, one of the nation’s leading auto and home insurers, with an A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior). To Learn the MIG Difference Call us now: 262-646-5777

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Loss Control Tips For Electrical Contractors

electrical contractors

Electrical Contractors

Electrical contractors construct, install, repair, and maintain electrical wiring in industrial, commercial, and residential properties. Their duties may include installing and maintaining electrical equipment, completing administrative duties, and delivering high-quality customer service. This complex profession requires a great deal of training, skill, and experience. Due to their wide variety of operations, these professionals are often exposed to various safety, liability, and property risks. That’s why it’s vital to have effective loss control measures in place. This resource outlines common risks electrical contractors must address and offers helpful strategies to avoid potential claims.

Premise and Operations Liability

The nature of electrical operations poses various liability concerns. For example, issues arising from faulty wiring, malfunctioning electrical equipment, and possible smoking hazards could cause third-party damage and injuries to bystanders and lead to costly liability claims. Therefore, it’s important for electrical contractors to take the following measures to limit their premises and operations liability:

  • Create a housekeeping program to make sure materials, tools, and other objects are stored properly to prevent struck-by injuries and to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Any spills should be cleaned up promptly, and all areas should be kept free of debris.
  • Ensure there is a fire protection plan in place and that it is communicated to each employee. If smoking is allowed on the job site, create a designated smoking section.
  • Ensure site security measures—such as fences or security personnel—prevent the general public from trespassing on job sites. • Develop and implement policies and procedures for entering residents’ homes to prevent property damage.
  • Ensure there is a hot work program in place. Keep fire extinguishers near any area in which hot work is being performed, and make sure all employees are trained on how to use them.

Employee Safety

As an employer, electrical contractors must protect their employees from illnesses and injuries on the job. Occupational risks of electrical contracting include significant exposure to back and struck-by injuries, and slips, trips, and falls. To prevent these and related illnesses or injuries, electrical contractors should implement these employee safety precautions:

  • Establish a fall program and train employees on how to properly use fall protection. • Implement a ladder safety program and ensure employees have been appropriately trained in ladder safety.
  • Create a slip, trip, and fall program. Perform slip, trip, and fall assessments to determine the likelihood of occurrence on the job site.
  • Develop an effective workplace safety training program that requires all employees to participate in routine training. Doing so will allow new employees to prepare for their roles while refreshing experienced employees on important safety protocols. This process may include requiring employees to have the necessary licenses to complete work and maintain that license by continuing education to stay current.
  • Ensure employees receive sufficient training before using tools or equipment necessary for their work. • Create and implement an equipment maintenance plan to make sure equipment is kept in working order and safety mechanisms—such as wires, handles, and blades—are also functional.
  • Create an incident investigation program that allows for swift and thorough incident investigations.
  • Establish a personal protective equipment (PPE) program and perform a PPE survey to determine which types of PPE are needed for each task. Provide all necessary PPE to employees and educate them on the proper use of this equipment.

Inland Marine—Tools and Equipment

Electrical contractors face many inland marine exposures, especially since they often use their own equipment at job sites, such as laptops and special electrical tools. Inadequate maintenance procedures and a lack of prevention protocols can result in equipment damage, which could lead to significant interruptions and costly repair or replacement expenses. Electrical contractors should consider these steps to limit risks:

  • Keep a detailed list of machinery and tools. Each item should include an identifying number, age, type, and condition. Never leave tools on-site or out in the open. They should be in the vehicle or stored in a secure place.
  • Add nonremovable labels to equipment to allow for easy and permanent identification. • Implement security measures to prevent the unauthorized use of equipment left at job sites. These measures can include installing security cameras, locking equipment doors, and hiring on-site security.
  • Create a program requiring inspections on equipment prior to use. Corded tools should be inspected to make sure there are no cuts or frayed wires.

Automobile Liability

Because electrical contractors often have their own fleet of vehicles and employees frequently travel between different job sites, commercial auto exposures are substantial. In particular, accidents on the road could result in serious ramifications, including employee injuries, costly property damage, and potential liability issues between any pedestrians or other motorists involved. To minimize commercial auto exposures, electrical contractors should follow these protocols:

  • Make sure all drivers possess acceptable driving records. Specifically, it’s important to secure motor vehicle records (MVRs) for all drivers. MVRs should be updated annually.
  • Provide employees will proper training on safe driving measures. Be sure to prioritize loading procedures so employees load vehicles appropriately.
  • Prohibit employees from using their cell phones while driving.
  • Consider utilizing telematics technology within commercial vehicles to identify employees’ risky driving behaviors (e.g., speeding and hard braking).
  • Implement an effective vehicle inspection and maintenance program. Such a program can help ensure all commercial vehicles remain in good condition and are safe to operate on the road.
  • Review all commercial vehicle and trailer characteristics (e.g., size and weight) to determine applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Routinely monitor compliance with FMCSA standards and make operational adjustments as needed.

Learn More About Loss Control And Risk Management

It’s essential for electrical contractors to implement proper risk management precautions to limit costly insurance claims and lawsuits. Such measures can offer various benefits, such as greater customer satisfaction, bolstered employee safety, fewer liability concerns, and a lowered potential for property damage.

Although this resource provides a range of loss control strategies, electrical contractors don’t have to establish their risk management programs alone. Working with a qualified and experienced insurance professional can make all the difference. Contact us today to discuss insurance solutions and additional loss control techniques for electrical contractors.

Contact Midwest Insurance Group today at 262-646-5777  to discuss insurance solutions, additional loss control techniques, and risk management strategies for electrical contractors in Wisconsin.

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Loss Control Tips For Carpentry Contactors

carpenters

Carpentry Contractors

Carpentry contractors construct, install and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood or other materials. Their duties may include reading blueprints, taking measurements, and cutting, shaping, and smoothing lumber and other materials. Due to their wide variety of operations, these professionals are often exposed to various safety, liability, and property risks. That’s why it’s vital to have effective loss control measures in place. This resource outlines common risks carpentry contractors must address and offers helpful strategies to avoid possible claims

Premise and Operations Liability

The nature of carpentry operations poses various liability concerns. For example, third-party damage and injuries to bystanders can lead to costly liability claims. Therefore, it’s important for carpentry contractors to take the following measures to limit their premises and operations liability:

  • Create a housekeeping program to make sure materials, tools, and other objects are stored properly to prevent struck-by injuries and slips, trips, and falls.
  • Ensure site security measures—such as fences or security personnel—prevent the general public from trespassing on job sites.
  • Establish a fire protection plan and communicate it to each employee. If smoking is allowed on the job site, create a designated smoking section. Keep fire extinguishers on site and make sure all employees are trained on how to use them.
  • Ensure there is a combustible dust program in place to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris in confined buildings that can cause fire or explosions.
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures for entering residents’ homes to prevent property damage.

Employee Safety

As an employer, carpentry contractors must protect their employees from illnesses and injuries on the job. Occupational risks related to carpentry include significant exposure to falls, back, and struck-by injuries, and slips, trips, and falls. Carpentry contractors should implement these employee safety precautions:

  • Establish a fall program and train employees on how to properly use fall protection.
  • Implement a ladder safety program and ensure employees have been appropriately trained in ladder safety.
  • Create a slip, trip, and fall program. Perform slip, trip, and fall assessments to determine the likelihood of occurrence on the job site.
  • Develop an effective workplace safety training program that requires all employees to participate in routine training. Doing so will allow new employees to prepare for their roles while refreshing experienced employees on important safety protocols.
  • Ensure employees receive sufficient training before using tools or equipment necessary for their work.
  • Create and implement an equipment maintenance plan to make sure equipment is kept in working order and safety mechanisms—such as wires, handles, and blades—are also in working order.
  • Create an incident investigation program that allows swift and thorough incident investigations to take place.
  • Establish a personal protective equipment (PPE) program and perform a PPE survey to determine which types of PPE are needed for each task.
  • Provide all necessary PPE to employees and educate them on the proper use of this equipment.

Inland Marine—Tools and Equipment

Carpentry contractors face many inland marine exposures, especially since they often use their own equipment at job sites. Inadequate maintenance procedures and a lack of prevention protocols can result in equipment damage, which could lead to significant interruptions and costly repair or replacement expenses. Carpentry contractors should consider these steps to limit risks:

  • Keep a detailed list of machinery and tools. Each item should include an identifying number, age, type, and condition. Never leave tools on-site or out in the open. Either put them in the vehicle or have a secure place to store them.
  • Add nonremovable labels to equipment to allow for easy and permanent identification.
  • Implement security measures to prevent the unauthorized use of equipment left at job sites. These measures may include installing security cameras, locking equipment doors, and hiring on-site security.
  • Create a program requiring inspections on equipment prior to use. Corded tools should be inspected to make sure there are no cuts or frayed wires.

Automobile Liability

Because carpentry contractors often have their own fleet of vehicles and employees frequently travel between different job sites, commercial auto exposures are substantial. In particular, accidents on the road could result in serious ramifications, including employee injuries, costly property damage, and potential liability issues between any pedestrians or other motorists involved. To minimize commercial auto exposures, carpentry contractors should follow these protocols:

  • Make sure all drivers possess acceptable driving records. Specifically, it’s important to secure motor vehicle records (MVRs) for all drivers. MVRs should be updated annually.
  • Provide employees with proper training on safe driving measures. Be sure to prioritize loading procedures so employees load vehicles appropriately.
  • Prohibit employees from using their cell phones while driving.
  • Consider utilizing telematics technology within commercial vehicles to identify employees’ risky driving behaviors (e.g., speeding and hard braking).
  • Implement an effective vehicle inspection and maintenance program. Such a program can help ensure all commercial vehicles remain in good condition and are safe to operate on the road.
  • Review all commercial vehicle and trailer characteristics (e.g., size and weight) to determine applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Routinely monitor compliance with FMCSA standards and make operational adjustments as needed.

Learn More

It’s essential for carpentry contractors to implement proper risk management precautions to limit costly insurance claims and lawsuits. Such preventive measures can also offer various benefits, such as greater customer satisfaction, bolstered employee safety, fewer liability concerns, and a lowered potential for property damage. Although this resource provides a range of loss control strategies, carpentry contractors don’t have to establish their risk management programs alone.

Working with a qualified and experienced insurance professional can make all the difference. Contact Midwest Insurance Group today at 262-646-5777  to discuss insurance solutions and additional loss control techniques for carpentry contractors.