Insurance Insights

More and more companies today are powering their commercial fleet with alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). While these alternative options can reduce emissions and operating costs, many employees have never handled natural gas in this capacity. Accordingly, there are safety measures and training protocols to carefully consider.

As an employer, you’re tasked with the challenge of ensuring high-quality, yet affordable follow-up care in the event an employee suffers a work-related injury. That’s where telemedicine can help. Telemedicine allows employees to receive virtual, non-urgent medical services after they’ve been injured on the job. Such an option can give your employees quick and easy access to the care and information they need -- and may lower your workers’ compensation costs in the process.

You may have noticed that product liability litigation has become more and more common in recent years. Even when a business does everything possible to ensure that its products are safe for the public, mishaps can still occur without warning – leading to costly legal battles and settlements that can easily reach six figures.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into the final months of 2020, there’s a general sense of optimism within the medical community that a vaccine will be approved for use in the foreseeable future. While the prospect of a vaccine is exciting to most, it also presents challenges for employers, who may be considering whether vaccination will be encouraged or mandated.

Working near power lines is serious business for construction workers. Each year, workers are needlessly hurt on the job because they fail to use caution when digging in the vicinity of power lines. Electricity – whether above-ground or underground – is a powerful force, and using caution is the best way to avoid injury or death.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continuously provides employers and workers with information and guidance on the evolving coronavirus pandemic. Recently, OSHA published two additional answers to its list of COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQs). The new answers clarify when employers must report COVID-19 in-patient hospitalizations and fatalities.

If you run a small business, you may be surprised to learn that the average cost of an employment-related lawsuit exceeds $270,000. More surprising is a recent study that revealed over half of all claims filed for employment-related liabilities are against employers with fewer than 50 employees. The same study also indicated that not even 2 percent of small businesses have employment practices liability (EPL) coverage.

When conducting road construction or repair work, it’s up to roadside workers to protect the public and themselves from dangerous accidents. Unfortunately, when a motorist is confused, distracted or driving recklessly, a roadside construction zone has the potential to become deadly.