Risk Factors

Do you have ROPS in place to protect you??

The blog posting below was published on our sister blog, Grains of Knowledge.  I thought it would be prudent to share this topic on our own Risk Factors blog as many of our customers include agribusiness accounts and other similar businesses that may use tractors in their day to day operations.  Thanks to Stacey for the great post! Enjoy! ~ Lisa Mundt

 

Do you have ROPS in place to protect you?

One statistic the state of Pennsylvania is not proud of is the large number of tractor rollover fatalities.  Between the years 2000-2008, over 55 farm-related tractor rollover deaths occurred in Pennsylvania alone.  One in 10 farmers will overturn a tractor in their lifetime, and one in seven farmers who are involved in a tractor rollover are permanently disabled.  And experience alone is not enough to protect you; an alarming 80 percent of tractor rollovers happen to highly experienced tractor operators.

So how can you avoid these statistics and be safe and secure in your tractor?  How can you be assured that neither you nor your workers will succumb to a tractor accident?

ROPS is here to help!   ROPS stands for Rollover Protective Structure.  ROPS is a rebate program that will provide up to 70% of the cost to purchase and install the protective equipment that prevents tractor rollovers.   ROPS are designed to limit tractor roll by 90 degrees.  If a tractor doesroll, it will not roll on its side.  The combination of seat belts and ROPS is 99% effective in preventing rollover deaths.

The Westfield Insurance Foundation is a proud supporter of this program and recently donated $15,000 to the Pennsylvanis State University for Rollover Protective Structures Retrofit Program for Pennsylvania Farmers (PA ROPS). 

 

 

 

If you’d like more information on ROPS in PA, please visit this website:

http://ropsr4u.com/pa/overview/or call the ROPS hotline:  1-877-ROPS-R4U or 1-877-767-7748

 

 Stacey Bruce is a region leader for the small/speciality segment of Westfield's Agribusiness Division  based out of Westfield Center, Ohio, the corporate headquarters of Westfield Insurance.

The Leadership Series: Leader Characteristics

This is the first of a series of seven blogs on Leadership - leadership ideas, techniques, skills and methods as conservation-starters for you and your supervisory personnel.

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Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.                                                            — Harold S. Geneen

Charisma - a characteristic that most successful leaders embody!  As a leader, you have to manage your team – give orders as well as take orders.  How well do you do this?  Do you know your leadership style?  Do you know how to relate to your employees?

I suspect the majority of us have worked with a leader, or employee with whom we did not see eye to eye.  Some may not have experienced this type of distraction, but most of us have at one time or another.  I use the word “distraction” because the lack of cohesion between the leader and the employee is a distraction when working as a team towards the end goal.

Often times egos get in the way of the true issue at hand and nothing gets reloved.  I dealt with this in a previous work environment, and it was palpable.  I now understand that I made the choice to blame the situation instead of holding myself accountable for improving the relationship, understanding the person and working together as a team.  I failed to exhibit the characteristics I want in a leader.

Recently, I performed a short survey with my peers to see what characteristics they want in a leader.  My purpose was to reach out to different departments to get a feel for what type of leader is effective.  Four characteristics led the pack, and I have added some comments provided in the survey:

• Integrity – Tell me like it is – be honest!  Don’t cover it up or sugar coat it.
• Approachability – Willingness to listen to different ways to accomplish the same goal.
• Fairness – Trust that my leader treats me fairly and equally, and my co-workers as well.
• Clear Communication – I want to meet face-to-face to assure a comfort level in both directions of communication.  I want clear expectations.  {Taking notes is a great way to refresh on past conversations to ensure all are on the same page.}

I must say these were certainly in my top 10.  I believe we want our leaders to set an example – treat us the way we want to be treated. 

Have you had a similar experience?  Are you getting what you need from your direct leader?  What have you done to bridge the gap?  What example are you setting as a leader? 

 

Leader Tip

Approachability can be difficult for leaders as they may have been very successful reaching their specific goals, and may have no experience as a leader over direct reports.  As a person promoted to a leadership, the leader expects direct reports to be successful as well and achieve specific goals in the same style/approach he/she did.  When work styles differ, this approach can lead to resentment towards the leader and a direct report that does not feel empowered. 

How do you overcome this challenge as a leader?  Focus on the end goal with your direct report versus the approach or style they use to achieve it.  Allow the direct report to use their approach and their style that they are comfortable with to achieve the end goal.  They will feel empowered, be more supportive and ultimately accomplish the end goal you wanted to achieve.  Your objective as leader, of course, is to ensure that they follow company policy with their approach and style, but beyond that, leave it up to the direct report to achieve the end goal.   

Jay DePasquale

Middle Market Leader

 

Additional Resources

Improving Your Leadership Skills

Seven Ways the Best Leaders Set an Example by Going First

Today’s To-Do List:  Fire Someone

Photo courtesy of Leadershipvibe.net

Suzanne Coleman is a senior risk control representative out of the Nashville office of Westfield Insurance.  She has worked in the insurance industry for 20 years.

Reminder - OSHA 300A Forms Must be posted by 2/1/12

Here is a friendly reminder for employers:  The OSHA 300A forms (summary of workplace related injuries and illnesses) must be posted for employees to view from 2/1/2012 - 4/30/2012.  The forms must be placed in an area where all employees have access.  Most employers find the break room bulletin board to be a good place to post the summary. 

 Here is a link to OSHA's FAQ page. 

 

Lisa Mundt is a Senior Risk Control Representative for Westfield Insurance based out of our Atlanta, Ga service office. Lisa has over 9 years of risk management experience servicing a wide variety of customers, such as small business, traditional mid market, technology as well as the construction industry. 

Defensive Driving Tips - Keep Aware During Winter Weather

Winter is upon us.  Somehow that means that everyone forgets how to drive in snow (even though it happens every winter) and panics while driving as slow as a snail.  Conversely, it means that all 4-Wheel drive automobiles think that they can speed on sheets of ice ... did you ever notice that it's the biggest 4-Wheel drive vehicles that end up in the ditch?  (Safety Note:  4-Wheel Drive DOES NOT WORK on ice; all vehicles can and will slip on solid ice). 

The bottom line is that in inclement weather, it is common for all the vehicles on the road to be going much slower or faster than you are traveling.  It is a perfect season to brush up on defensive driver skills.  Recognizing potential hazards, deciding on an appropriate response, and carrying out that response are all keys to defensive driving.

Winter weather really highlights the fact that not everyone is a good and safe driver.  To remain safe on the road, a good driver will have vigilance and awareness at all times, in any weather situation.  The following are some good tips to keep you alert and cautious during any type of road conditions. 

• Trust no one. Never assume that another driver is choosing a safe action, presume they don’t know how to drive, and stay sharp and defensive.
• Yield anyway. Slow down, get over, swallow your pride.  Even if you feel “right,” yield anyway.
• Don't speed. Just don’t do it – 5 miles over the limit is still going too fast.
• Don't drive tired. Being tired is almost like being drunk.  Pull over and rest. 
• Always signal. Other drivers cannot read your mind or your intentions.  
• Yellow = Stop. Never assume you can make the yellow light; assume yellow always means STOP.  
• Create space. Keep a good distance between yourself and others – always have an “out.” 
• Just say "no" to distracted driving. No texting, no cell phones, no electronics – eyes on the road always.  
• Never drive impaired. This includes prescription medications as well as alcohol and other drugs.   

For more defensive driving tips, check out this great article by Road Trip America for 70 Rules of Defensive Driving.  This is a great post for business drivers and personal drivers.  In fact, it is a must-read for anyone with a 16 year-old, new driver. 

Kirsten Hedden is a Risk Control Representative out of our Peoria, IL Service Office. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and Business from Bradley University in Peoria. Upon graduating, Kirsten entered an intensive insurance training program with a global carrier for 14 months and obtained experience in all insurance disciplines including claims, underwriting, and loss control.  Kirsten has 5+ years experience providing loss control consultative services for a variety of industry exposures; specialties include hospitality, food and beverage manufacturing, religious institutions, and country clubs/golf courses.

 

New Hours of Service Rules Released

Last week the US DOT released it's much anticipated new hours of service rules for commercial truckers. 

Here are the highlights of the press release.  You can read the full press by clicking here.

 

U.S. Department of Transportation Takes Action to Ensure Truck Driver Rest Time and Improve Safety Behind the Wheel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a final rule that employs the latest research in driver fatigue to make sure truck drivers can get the rest they need to operate safely when on the road.  The new rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises the hours-of-service (HOS) safety requirements for commercial truck drivers. 

“Trucking is a difficult job, and a big rig can be deadly when a driver is tired and overworked,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This final rule will help prevent fatigue-related truck crashes and save lives. Truck drivers deserve a work environment that allows them to perform their jobs safely.”  

“This final rule is the culmination of the most extensive and transparent public outreach effort in our agency’s history,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro.  “With robust input from all areas of the trucking community, coupled with the latest scientific research, we carefully crafted a rule acknowledging that when truckers are rested, alert and focused on safety, it makes our roadways safer.”

FMCSA’s new HOS final rule reduces by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week. Under the old rule, truck drivers could work on average up to 82 hours within a seven-day period. The new HOS final rule limits a driver’s work week to 70 hours.  

In addition, truck drivers cannot drive after working eight hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes. Drivers can take the 30-minute break whenever they need rest during the eight-hour window.

The final rule retains the current 11-hour daily driving limit.  FMCSA will continue to conduct data analysis and research to further examine any risks associated with the 11 hours of driving time. 

The rule requires truck drivers who maximize their weekly work hours to take at least two nights’ rest when their 24-hour body clock demands sleep the most – from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. This rest requirement is part of the rule’s “34-hour restart” provision that allows drivers to restart the clock on their work week by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. The final rule allows drivers to use the restart provision only once during a seven-day period

Companies and drivers that commit egregious violations of the rule could face the maximum penalties for each offense. Trucking companies that allow drivers to exceed the 11-hour driving limit by 3 or more hours could be fined $11,000 per offense, and the drivers themselves could face civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense.

Commercial truck drivers and companies must comply with the HOS final rule by July 1, 2013. The rule is being sent to the Federal Register today and is currently available on FMCSA's Web site at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/HOSFinalRule.

 

What are your thoughts on the new changes?  How will this affect your business, drivers, routes, etc?  Do you agree with the current Hours of Service?

 

Lisa Mundt is a Senior Risk Control Representative for Westfield Insurance based out of our Atlanta, Ga service office. Lisa has over 9 years of risk management experience servicing a wide variety of customers, such as small business, traditional mid market, technology as well as the construction industry. 

Deer Strikes - The Hidden Winter Driving Hazard

One of Westfield's independent insurance agency partners, The Hoffman Group, has recently established a blog targeting the insurance needs of commercial trucking operations.  Their blog is titled "Truck Insurance Pro." 

I recently read one of the "Truck Insurance Pro" blog postings that discusses safe winter driving techniques especially those related to deer. Given that many of our customers are located in areas where the deer populations have increased recently, I thought that it would be a good blog to share on our website. This blog has been written by Jason Stevenson, who spearheads the Truck Insurance Pro Division at The Hoffman Group.  Thanks Jason!

- Lisa Mundt

Deer Strikes - The Hidden Winter Driving Hazard

I recently did a “Winter Driving Hazards” safety meeting with one of my clients and we covered the typical, standard winter safe driving tips…give extra distance when braking in the snow, watch for black ice, if you can’t see because it’s a blizzard…don’t be a hero, PULL OVER!

One new thing this year, though, is the deer issue. This particular client has had 2 deer strikes this year already, and with a fleet of under 30 trucks, not only does the down time cause problems, but the strikes are indicative of the significant increase in the deer population in Ohio and the Midwest, and the potential affect it could have on truckers if they aren’t extra diligent.

The Ohio Department of Transportation reports that there are more than 60,000 deer strikes reported in Ohio annually and they expect there are several thousand more every year that go unreported. ODOT expects the number to rise this year.

Ohio isn’t alone. In the last 2 years Wisconsin, North Carolina, Alabama, Michigan, West Virginia, and many others are reporting increased or record numbers of deer-related incidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says there are approximately 1.5 million accidents with deer each year that result in $1 billion in vehicle damage, about 150 human fatalities and over 10,000 personal injuries. Ohio ranks fourth in the nation for deer related collisions. See the Article Here:
Ohio Highway Patrol is reporting the number of motor vehicle crashes involving deer are on the rise.

Many truckers believe in “Deer Whistles”. The NTSA says these are useless and that you’re just wasting your money. The best defense is to slow down in low visibility and a little extra diligence and anticipation.

I recommend incorporating a few minutes to talk about deer in your winter driving meetings this year. I’m doing it when I speak to the fleets we work with. With any luck, the reminder might just save a life.

The Bottom Line:  Truckers need to actively look out for deer this year. The extra healthy herd is a problem for drivers of all kinds and the accidents they cause are increasingly frequent. The number one thing to remember is that your 80,000lb truck and a 150lb deer are no match for each other. Don’t swerve. You probably buy truck insurance and life insurance. Let your insurance pay for your truck instead of your life.

Hopefully you’ll check back soon to see our weekly updates. And always, if you have any questions for the Truck Insurance Pro…please just let us know and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

Keep on Rollin’!

Jason Stevenson, MBA, CPIA
Truck Insurance Pro
The Hoffman Group–Transportation Services
800.826.4006
jstevenson@thehoffmangrp.com

About The Hoffman Group - The Hoffman Group is one of the largest independent Ohio insurance agencies in Western Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina counties. They specialize in Risk Management for individual, commercial, industrial and professional clients including health care facilities, architects, manufacturers, wholesalers, contractors and restaurants. 

Fair Warning: NFPA 70E Changes Coming Your Way

The 2012 edition of the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplaces, otherwise known as NFPA 70E, will soon be available as the updates were approved at the end of August. 

NFPA 70E was published by the National Fire Protection Association in 1979 and was written to protect electrical workers in every industry around any type of device capable of generating an arc flash. NPFA 70E is a “consensus standard” referenced by the National Electric Code for safety requirements. While it is currently voluntary, each year more states, departments and organizations are adopting NFPA 70E.  While some of the elements of NPFA 70E have been integrated into OSHA electrical standards, NPFA 70E is not an OSHA standard.  However, OSHA can cite companies under the General Duty Clause as it relates to the recognition and abatement or control of electrical hazards.

How does this affect you?  According to Workrite.com, virtually any facility housing electrical equipment falls under NFPA 70E guidelines, especially in enterprises dependent upon heavy machinery operations.  This includes manufacturing operations of any kind, food processors, hospitals, and petroleum companies to name a few.

What do you need to know about NFPA 70E?  A simplistic and brief response is as follows: 

1.)  Any personnel working near or on electrical equipment should not only be trained in Lockout/Tagout, but should also be trained in recognizing electrical hazards such as the potential for arc flashes and blasts.  Training regarding the NFPA 70E standard will be required to occur every 3 years.

2.)  A shock and flash hazard assessment must be performed to determine the flash protection boundary, and the appropriate level or category of personal protective equipment required.

3.)  Appropriate apparel should be selected, and employees trained on the appropriate use and care of this apparel.  Flame-resistant (FR) clothing is required in many instances, and is designed to protect from two different exposures:  flash fire and electric arc flash.  The new NFPA 70E standard will delineate between arc-rated clothing (which is always flame-resistant) and flame-resistant clothing (which is not always arc-rated). 

What level of exposure does your operation include, and how have you protected your employees?

For more information on the NFPA 70E standard updates, go to this National Safety Council publication:  Safety+Health December 2011 issue Stay Current article  

For more information on the NFPA 70E standard, go to   “Why FR Clothing?” 

Additional Resources:

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2011/08/01/fr-garment-program-development.aspx?sc_lang=en

http://www.workrite.com/whatsnew/industrynews.htm

http://www.aramark-flameresistant.com/NFPA-70E.html

 

NTSB Proposes Ban on Cell Phone Use for ALL Drivers

Today the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) unanimously voted to ban the use of all portable electronic devices (including cell phones and hands free devices) for all drivers.  Exceptions would be made for emergency situations and for devices, such as GPS units that are designed to support the driving task. 

The ruling was made following an investigation into the August 5, 2010 vehicle accident involving a school bus, a bobtail and a passenger vehicle in Gray Summit, MO.  Click here to access the report.

Recently, bans have been proposed for commercial truckers but this proposal reaches ALL drivers.  Many states have already adopted laws that require drivers to use hands free devices but this new proposed ban from the NTSB will no longer permit the use of hands free devices.  

What are your thoughts on this new proposed ban?  Good? Bad? Indifferent?  We'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

Lisa Mundt is a Senior Risk Control Representative for Westfield Insurance based out of our Atlanta, Ga service office. Lisa has over 9 years of risk management experience servicing a wide variety of customers, such as small business, traditional mid market, technology as well as the construction industry. 

What's in Your Emergency Car Kit for Winter?

We’ve heard it before, from scouting groups, government agencies and even the media: Be Prepared – which is good advice, yet so easy to ignore … until it’s too late and you are stranded on the highway with a flat tire in the dead of night.

As winter approaches, some employees at the Westfield Insurance home office are remembering a night last year where a nearby interstate became a parking lot. Many people were stuck in their cars for more than eight hours that evening. The question for the rest of us is, “Had you been in that position, would you have been prepared?”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests these simple steps to be prepared for emergencies:

• Put together an emergency supply kit.
• Develop a family communications plan.
• Stay informed about the risks and emergencies in your community.

Do you keep an auto preparedness kit? Even if you already have a kit, remember to check and update your supplies and tools – it’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, be familiar with their use before you need them.

In bad weather season, never let your car’s gas tank get under half full, and don’t forget to give it a quick walk-around when you are leaving work to check for flat tires or other problems. As always, in the event of an emergency, call 911. It’s also a good idea to have emergency numbers programmed into your phone.

Things you might put in your own emergency car kit:

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Jumper cables
• Basic tool set
• Spare tire, jack and lug wrench
• First aid kit
• Blanket
• Cell phone charger or extra battery
• Duct tape
• Extra windshield fluid
• Paper towels
• Bottled water


What items do you have in your emergency car kit?  Have you ever needed to use them?  Share your experience with us in the comments below.

 

Flammable Liquids Use & Storage (Part I)

In a previous blog (http://losscontrol.westfieldinsurance.com/2010/03/fire-hazards-of-spray-finishing-with-flammable-liquids.html), I wrote about spray finishing with flammable liquids. In that blog, I stated that flammable liquids should be stored in accordance with NFPA 30 Storage of Flammable Liquids. This blog will present the basics of flammable liquids and the options generally available to use and store them. Because this topic is too complex to fit into one blog article, we’ll need to break it down into segments. For this first segment, we’ll define flammable liquids, key considerations, and the primary best practice standards that govern their use and storage.

 The Nature Of Flammable Liquids (Classification)

• First of all, we must identify the liquids as in fact being considered flammable. The manufacturer/distributor must provide what is called a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for their liquid. There are different classifications of flammable liquids per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), but generally any liquid with a flash point of 100°F or less is flammable. Liquids with flash points of greater than 100°F are classified as combustible liquids. The flash point is an indicator of how easy a liquid will ignite and is defined as the lowest temperature at which liquid will generate enough vapor to flash, but not continue to burn. Flammable and combustible liquids are further broken down into classes, as depicted in the following charts:

 

 

• Flammable and combustible liquids themselves do not burn. In simple terms- it is the mixture of their vapours and air that burns. At normal room temperatures, flammable liquids can give off enough vapour to form burnable mixtures with air.
• The vast majority of flammable liquids produce vapors that are heavier than air. This means that vapor that is released from containers (and no container contains all vapor) will sink to the floor and not travel very far without strong pressure. Vapor is released through expansion/contraction of the containers. Most containers are designed to relieve pressure build-up that occurs during movement, temperature fluctuations, and other factors.
• Because flammable liquids (and to a lesser extent- combustible liquids) ignite much easier and burn much faster/hotter than typical combustible material, special care must be given to separating these materials from potential ignition sources. Ignition sources that are not normally a concern with ordinary combustible materials become significant when flammable liquids are present. These include static electricity, electrical systems (even enclosed with metal conduit), heating units, hot surfaces, motors, and even simply heat itself. It is called spontaneous combustion when this occurs. Related to the flashpoint is a material's autoignition temperature- the temperature at which the material self-ignites without the aid of an external ignition source.
• The specific gravity of a liquid is important to know. Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the weight of a substance (the liquid) to the weight of water and is noted as the base at which other liquids are based on. The specific gravity of a liquid indicates whether or not that liquid will float on top of water or whether water will float on top of the liquid. This is important from a fire protection standpoint when water (which is typically what a fire department will use to fight fire) is applied to burning liquids. This is why drainage or containment of the liquids is a critical consideration when storing any quantity.
• Water miscibility: This is a measure of whether the liquid that mixes in all proportions with water (generally only includes alcohols and acetone).
• Viscosity: This is defined as the resistance of a liquid to flow freely. If the liquid is thick enough, it will not form a pool. One of the items that make flammable liquids so dangerous is a flowing pool spreading the fire.  If the liquid will not form a pool, it easier to control as it will tend to “stay put” easier. There are various means to measure viscosity. For this article, we won’t go into the scientific methods that are used, however, the more viscous the liquid is- generally the lesser protection it requires, and thus viscous liquids can often be treated as standard commodities (1, 2, 3, 4, plastics) and may not need containment or drainage.

 

Regulatory & Best Practice Requirements Governing The Use And Storage Of Flammable Liquids

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2012 Edition is the primary standard that provides guidelines for the storage of flammable and combustible liquids. The NFPA, founded in 1896, is a consensus code publisher, meaning that codes are developed and voted on by stakeholders from a variety of industries/interests. NFPA 30, like all NFPA codes, is revised on a scheduled basis (generally every three years). Other NFPA codes that are related include:
  • NFPA 33: Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials, 2011 Edition
  • NFPA 34: Standard for Dipping, Coating and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids, 2011 Edition
  • NFPA 56PS: Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flammable Gas Piping Systems, 2012 Edition
  • NFPA 329: Recommended Practice for Handling Releases of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases, 2010 Edition
  • NFPA 385: Standard for Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 2007 Edition
  • NFPA 497: Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas, 2008 Edition
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA is a governmental administration and division of the Department of Labor (DOL). As such, it is charged with the development of legal, enforceable standards to protect employees in the workplace. This goal requires OSHA to consider a variety of sources. OSHA considers NFPA as a primary source of best practice standards as relates to fire and life safety (though not the only source). OSHA and NFPA rarely conflict with each other, but in some instances OSHA includes compliance alternatives in which facilities can choose to comply with either OSHA's specific regulatory language or NFPA requirements (e.g. means of egress in NFPA 101 Life Safety Code). OSHA also may add requirements specifically to protect employees or building occupants that NFPA may loosely recommend. The bottom line is that OSHA, being legally enforceable at all time, supersedes NFPA.
• FM Global (formerly known as Factory Mutual, Inc.): FM Global is a private property insurance company founded in 1835. Along with adopting other standards (such as NFPA), they also conduct/fund their own research (including scientific testing laboratories) and publish risk management standards that address specific loss exposures. With regard to flammable liquids, FM Global diverts somewhat with regard to fire protection. As a general rule of thumb, FM Global Data Sheets are more conservative and offer specific narrow solutions.  

Stay tuned for Part 2....