Blog

Heidi Dearinger
Business
Development Coordinator

Jenny Foster
HR Manager
Senior Employee Benefits Advisor

Jason Mayer
Risk Manager

Greater Seattle Business Association Scholarship Program

May 31, 2010

Two Fridays ago I attended the 20th Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner for the GSBA – Greater Seattle Business Association, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and Allied business and professional chamber of commerce (the largest in the country). The gala was held in Seattle at the Hyatt at Olive 8, and over 450 people were in attendance.

The Scholarship Program was founded by 2 teachers who recognized a huge need to support LGBTQ students who were often discriminated against in school, disowned by their families and friends. Over the years, the GSBA Scholarship Program has expanded by leaps and bounds awarding over 1 million dollars to over 300 students of diverse backgrounds. This year, they raised over $135,000 and gave out 35 scholarships.

Having fun at the GSBA Scholarship Awards Dinner Heidi, April and Jaime
	Safeco Insurance has had a long history of GSBA Scholarship Sponsorship, Liberty Northwest is now a Scholarship Partner as well, and I plan to get involved with the GSBA on behalf of EHL.

To Combine business development, leadership and social action to expand economic opportunities for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and those who support equality for all.

Important reminder: Red Flags Rules

May 26, 2010

I speak regularly to groups on the issue of Identity theft as it impacts individuals and business alike. It is hard to hear some of the frustration that comes as a result of this type of loss. Often times people will ask me what can they do to protect themselves and it usually results in some short term behavior changes and an occasional sign up through Life Lock or other service. I knew it wouldn't take long for the Federal government to step in and take action based on the amount of press the issue has received in recent years. It's the fastest growing crime in the US!  The Federal Trade Commission’s “Red Flags Rule” goes into effective on June 1st as a way to help prevent this from happening. The rule is designed to reduce the risk of identity theft through those providing credit. 

The Red Flags Rule requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs — or "red flags" — of identity theft in their day-to-day operations. The implementation date had been delayed from November 1, 2009. Additionally, information is available at the FTC website (click on the logo below).

The basis for the Red Flags Rule is for businesses to detect the warning signs or "red flags" of identity theft in their day-to-day operations, take steps to prevent the crime, and mitigate the damage inflicted. 

The Red Flags Rule is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), their website ftc.gov/redflagsrule includes the rule in its entirety, a how-to guide for business, frequently asked questions and a template for developing your written program. There is also a video overview. You can access this information through EHL's Risk Management page.

The rule is mainly directed toward the banking and finance industries. There is some question as to whether the rule applies to other industries, however under the definition of "creditor" it is reasonable to assume the majority of our clients fall under the rule and must comply due to the following provision, "Under the Rule, the definition of “creditor” is broad, and includes businesses or organizations that regularly provide goods or services first and allow customers to pay later."

The rule gives employers the flexibility to identify the potential risks specific to their company and to design a program accordingly. To comply, a written program must be implemented including four steps: First, identify the red flags of identity theft you're likely to encounter; second, establish procedures to detect the red flags you have identified; third, state appropriate procedures for when you spot red flags; and fourth, address how you will periodically evaluate and update your program. 

Your program must state who's responsible for implementing and administering it effectively. You must also provide training to appropriate staff that may encounter the red flags you have indentified. Additionally, although not part of the Red Flags rule, procedures for properly safe guarding employee records and customer credit information should also be put in place if not already having been done so.

To assist with compliance, the FTC's website does have a "fill in the blanks" template for businesses to establish their written program.  It is fairly generic in nature, but a good tool to help you comply with the rule while following the FTC guidelines.  http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/redflagsrule/diy-template.shtm

Be Safe!

On-Site Inspections on the Rise

May 21, 2010

Recently I read that several businesses were experiencing an increase in drop by inspections by state labor agencies (WISHA, OR-OSHA, etc) conducting safety reviews. Crane operator certification, forklift operator training and other general safety items have all been mentioned. One company was written up for not having safety goggles available at their key cutting machine and paint mixer.

With the slowdown in the construction industry it appears inspectors have shifted their focus from the jobsite to physical business locations so please take precautions to ensure that your facility is well prepared.

Forklift operator re-evaluation is required every three years, be sure saw guards and railings are in place and that you have proper eye and hearing protection where required.

Also, make sure your safety committee meetings have taken place and the minutes as well as all required government posters are displayed. For a listing of those please check the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website.

If you need assistance with any compliance issues please contact EHL, we are happy to assist you in all your risk management needs.

Insurance Fraud on the Rise

May 19, 2010

I’ve been researching articles for an upcoming presentation about the US recession and ran across an article about the dramatic increase in rates of insurance fraud. There has been an increase in “slip and fall”, “phantom/paper only vehicle accidents”, “phantom/staged accident” and “auto give-ups" (falsely reporting your car as stolen) as job losses made it hard for many people to keep up with their payments. Interestingly enough, many of the vehicles were gas-guzzling SUV’s and pickups. Check out the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud for more stories about auto give-up scams gone very wrong…

Another prevalent scam involves roofing; as a result of putting off needed repairs, some homeowners have faked hail damage by banging their roofs with ball-peen hammers or golf balls inside socks or by twisting quarters into asphalt shingles. These scams often unravel when sock fiber (or even coins) were found on the roofs.

Fraud is also coming from less than trustworthy insurance companies. Banking on economic instability and increasing health care concerns about cost, some scammers are selling worthless health plans, peddled by fax, which in turn barely cover any health claims or prescriptions (as described).

So as an honest consumer, what do you do? First, realize if a policy looks too good it probably is. Cheap does not mean good! I asked our Personal Insurance VP Jeff Ogard to explain further:

"Cheap insurance is often the equivalent of getting a low price on a size two shoe for a size seven foot, except that you don't know that the product you bought doesn't fit until it's too late. We fully understand that price is a very important component in evaluating value, however, it is not the most important component.

Having the right fit of coverage in keeping with the exposures a client faces is #1; being matched with a company that really wants your business is #2, and having a competitive price is #3. We look for the "confluence" of these three factors when evaluating which company provides the best value for a client's premium dollar. Our goal is to help our clients reduce their total cost of risk. That is accomplished by receiving the best value more than it usually is by getting the cheapest price."

Take care,

Heidi

May 19 is National Employee Health and Fitness Day!

May 17, 2010

As an Employee Benefits Advisor and HR Manager, I am so pleased to see an official day created to "create a buzz" around Health and Fitness in the workplace.

If you are striving to become an advocate for change in your office some simple words of advice...

Do avoid words like: DIET ~  WEIGHT ~ WORKING OUT

Try words like:  HEALTHY FOODS ~ FITNESS ~ BREAK TIME STRETCHES

Sometimes the best way to become a wellness champion is to simply act like one. People are watching, whether you think they are or not. So when you don your walking shoes or bike helmet and head out for a quick ride or walk at lunch, those who are truly interested may join you next time.

Studies show that people are also far more likely to participate in workplace wellness activities if they:

1. Have a goal with a set timeline/deadline
2. Feel safe and free from humiliation or embarrassment
3. Are surrounded by positive people who balance work and fitness effectively (rather than an office of workaholics who chose endless desk time over a quick walk)

So if May 19th comes and goes and you have yet to commit or recommit to increased fitness or wellness, remember "wellness" encompasses EVERYTHING from:

~Eating right (even small changes)
~Drinking water
~Staying regular on maintenance medications
~Keeping preventive doctor appointments
~Walking 10 minutes a day
~ANYTHING that makes you 1% more healthy than you are today!

Baby steps are better than no steps. May 19th is only 1 out of 365 days. Wellness is a lifestyle choice not a one day binge. What's your wellness temperature? What are your wellness goals?

Here's to your health!

Disaster Recovery

May 13, 2010

I recently returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic and witnessed some of the devastation and pain the Haitian people are experiencing. I found myself in deep thought pondering the sense of hopelessness and grief they must have felt. I felt angry of those in leadership, why had they not planned better and why had they not cared for their people better. Reality hit me when I realized that I had not planned and prepared for my loved ones back home. What Risk did we face that I had not put a plan around?

What would your business or family do in the event of a berserk employee, boycott, I/T failure, negative media exposure or storm? Do you have a plan in place? The flooding in Nashville, Tenn. , the attempted car bomb in New York and devastating earthquakes around the world recently are reminders that unfortunate events can and do happen.

Why prepare a disaster recovery plan now?

1) Under pressure, emotional decisions can be costly. Decisions based on a prepared plan have been shown to be more effective, timely and cost less..
2) A plan can reduce recovery time and the impact on customers.
3) A plan will instill confidence in employees and customers that the organization is there for the long-term.
4) Insurance settlements require “due diligence and dispatch” in recovering from interruption. A plan helps prove that the organization has acted accordingly.
5) Inappropriate costs are avoided.
6) peace of mind knowing you have a plan is priceless.

Please see the attached link above for more information regarding earthquake preparedness. If you need help preparing your plan, please contact me at: 360-649-0071 or jason@ehlinsurance.com

Non-Smoking Workplace Policies

May 6, 2010

Q: I had a question from a client regarding what they can and cannot do as it relates to banning smoking at work. Can they completely do that or do they need to provide an outdoor area for them? They are not able to leave the premises on break given the location.

A: The 2005 WA law does place a full ban on smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces, so yes, they can go with a 100% smoke-free workplace policy. I am not aware that they need to provide an outdoor area, however, employers should strive to be "reasonable," (especially given factors like location) and consider the potential problems associated with not creating a designated space more than 25 feet from the building such as finding butts all around or improperly extinguished cigarettes.

While unrelated, a similar issue pertains to wellness programs that create smoking surcharges or non-smoking incentives. These plans have also been scrutinized when found to be unreasonable if someone due to physiological addiction cannot actually quit but makes an attempt.

I think it's always about being "reasonable" whenever I speak with an attorney.  That's my take for now, but I am not an attorney so as always, consulting counsel for a quick phone call is never a bad idea!

www.smokefreewashington.com

Simple Solutions for Office Hazards

May 6, 2010

In the office, equipment cables and wires can become a trip-and-fall hazard and an expensive workers’ compensation case. Slips, trips and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. In the United States, they cause 15 percent of all work-related deaths and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities, according OSHA.

In a home office environment, small children and common household animals like cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets often see equipment wires as play things – all too often as chew toys. Clearly such a circumstance puts the child or pet at great risk, with electric shock and strangulation at the top of the list.

SIMPLE OFFICE SAFETY SOLUTIONS:

Cable Control on the Cheap: For just a few dollars, computer cables can be easily shielded with a split wire loom, a flexible and durable polyethylene corrugated tube with a split down the side where you enter your multi-cable bundle. If you have to add another wire later on, you can easily slip it into the split wire loom along with the others without removing the entire bundle.  

Achieve Lift-Off: Cables, power adapters, power strips, hubs, modems and other small devices can be readily lifted off the floor and put safely out of harm's way with cable management products that loop, tie and hang “cable clutter” off the floor to reduce work space risks including snags, trips and liquid spills.

Wire Fire Can Be Dire: With a glut of equipment, wiring and electrical outlets conducting heat, often over long periods of time and in compact spaces, fire safety is an important workspace consideration. In addition to the standard fire extinguisher, other fire safety measures also should be employed. Flame spread is one vital safety consideration that easily can be addressed. Flame-retardant wire sleeving that does not support combustion can significantly reduce office fire hazards. You also can establish an effective insulating barrier to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through structural gaps and voids with fire-rated expanding polyurethane foams – a cost-effective way to establish an insulating seal on concrete, brick, wood, metal, aluminum and steel. 

An Important Mat-ter: Use traction floor mats in high-traffic and extended-use areas, particularly those prone to moisture or spills. Be sure to use a floor mat with beveled edges to eliminate trip risk. Mats with sponge bases will enhance ergonomic safety for employees who must stand for longer periods of time.
 
Surface Raceways: Home office wires that run across the floor to a distant outlet are among the most dangerous office situations, with a high risk of injuries or damaged equipment. Fortunately, surface raceways are a readily available and easy way to organize and protect electrical cords that run along the floor or on the wall. These “cable channels” are made of tough PVC and can be painted to match office décor.

Cord Protectors: These wire cover systems are another great way to keep from tripping on loose cables and cords running across a walkway or behind your desk. Cord protectors cover, hide and protect cords and cables while keeping floors clear and safe. They also lie flat, and stay flat, and are easy to install.

Heavy Metal: Whether you want greater protection for your wires from children, animals, rodents or pests, or have a need to protect outdoor fiber optics, RG-6 coaxial cable or Category 5E cables from wildlife or the elements, metal braided sleeving, made from tin-coated copper, is both flexible and strong, and also offers electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection.  

Take the Edge Off: Wrap anything with a sharp edge such as broken/cracked glass, brittle plastic casings or other materials that may break and produce a sharp or rough edge in corrugated cardboard and secure with a heavy-duty duct tape to protect yourself and others from accidental lacerations.  This is especially important before placing such items in a trash container.  

Ergonomics Violations Will Be Enforced
Under General Duty Clause, OSHA Says

May 4, 2010

Michaels comment during a web chat was made as part of a public outreach effort for developing Labor Department's six-year strategic plan. The plan will take effect by Sept. 30 and will run until October 2016.

According to a draft version of the department's plan, OSHA's overall mission is to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women.”

“Until recently, enforcement around ergonomic hazards languished,” Michaels said during the chat. “We recognize that thousands of workers annually suffer from musculoskeletal conditions associated with ergonomic hazards, and OSHA must do more. OSHA's field staff will be looking for ergonomic hazards in their inspections, and we will be providing them with the support and backup they need to enforce under the general duty clause.”

Jordan Barab, deputy OSHA administrator, said during the web chat that OSHA is working to make the process of enforcing general duty clause violations “more effective,” although he did not elaborate on ongoing efforts.

Barab also said OSHA “will be increasing our enforcement activities addressing ergonomic issues.”

Permissible Exposure Limits

OSHA has assembled a task force to examine outdated Permissible Exposure Limits, according to Richard Fairfax, deputy OSHA administrator.

“OSHA recognizes that our Permissible Exposure Limits are outdated,” Fairfax said in response to an anonymous comment that some of the limits “go back to 1968.”

OSHA is working with the Labor Department and the White House Office of Management and Budget to find “ways to streamline the rulemaking process or maximize our resources to save time and effort,” said Dorothy Dougherty, director of OSHA's Standards and Guidance Directorate.

For example, Dougherty said, OSHA will “examine different ways in which we can shorten or simplify our [rulemaking] preambles while still meeting our statutory and legal burdens.”

According to the draft strategic plan, one of the measures OSHA will use to determine whether the plan has succeeded will be the number of “targeted hazards” abated. Targeted hazards, according to the draft, include hearing loss in manufacturing, illnesses in general industry and construction, and workplace amputation hazards.

To abate the hearing loss and illness in general industry and construction hazards, Fairfax said, OSHA inspectors “will be focusing more on industrial hygiene issues.”

Barab said measures are being developed to determine how much voice workers have in the workplace. A measure of success in the draft plan is “increase[d] worker and employer awareness of OSHA rights, responsibilities, and programs to improve ‘voice in the workplace.' ”

Fee System for Voluntary Program?

Barab also said OSHA is considering a range of alternatives to fund the Voluntary Protection Program, including a fee-based system.

“The House Education and Labor Committee has approached us to discuss a fee-based system,” Barab said.

“We recognize that [Voluntary Protection Program] companies do an excellent job,” said Steve Witty, director of OSHA's Cooperative and State Programs Directorate. “OSHA resources need to be focused on employers who don't understand the importance of protecting their workers, particularly small employers.”

President Obama's 2011 budget request proposes a $3 million funding cut for the program, from $73 million in fiscal 2010 to $70 million in fiscal 2011 (40 OSHR 88, 2/4/10).

No compliance assistance specialist positions will be eliminated, said Kim Lacey, director of OSHA's Directorate of Administrative Programs.

Witty said “some changes” are being considered to OSHA's alliance program, which encourages cooperation between the agency and trade groups, although OSHA “will continue to support” the program.

Other initiatives mentioned during the web chat included reviewing policies employers use to discourage injury reporting, which Michael's said OSHA would “take a hard look at” over the “next few months”; developing a plan to ensure that the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is not unduly burdened with cases as a result of increased penalties; and revamping OSHA's inspector training program, which Fairfax said would result in “an extensive, multi-year, developmental program for all new compliance officers.”

Retrieved from Occupational Safety & Health Reporter: News Archive > 2010 > 04/08/2010 > News 

Overcoming Challenges

May 3, 2010

Last week my ten year old son received a vaccination in his arm. It did’t hurt too terribly at first, but a few hours later he was in a lot of pain. After looking up his symptoms and comparing with the “typical” vaccination side-effects, I determined although painful, it wasn’t worthy of calling the doctor. After Tylenol and Ibuprofen and an ice pack he was able to sleep. It was hard for him to deal with the pain. I could give him external comfort but was not able to get in his head. These are skills as a parent that I need to teach him.

I was reminded of giving birth… even though I knew the pain was there for a reason, I still had to find a way to bear through it. I chose natural birthing, so external comfort (epidural or spinal anaesthesia) were not an option for me. I had to use my mind, my thoughts, my visualizations, and my internal grit to focus on the end result.

How do you handle struggles? Project complications at work, your lease is running out and you need a new place to live, family fights, electric bill was higher than expected, your kitchen is always messy, kids won’t do their homework, you can’t keep your email in box under 100 messages, your son just wet his bed again, you think your spouse is cheating on you, you can never find the time to grocery shop, your mother has cancer. Whether challenges are big or small depends on your perspective and your coping skills. I have certain mantras that I repeat to myself that seem to work “if it is meant to be it will happen”, “I can handle this”, “I am loved”, “I am a Rock Star” (I attempt to stay up to date with my mantras….)

Whatever you say to yourself, make it positive. Give yourself the power to handle it, to change your situation, to find an answer, to be calm in the face of the storm around you, to change what you do not like about your life. Find love and support in your community, your family, your friends. Remember your own personal priorities and work down from there. And remember, you are not alone.

Take care of each other,

Heidi Hoke