Masonry Magazine October 2002 Page. 43
review key issues such as fall protection, GFCI and electrical exposures, eye protection, hard hats, proper operation of saws, lifting techniques, etc.
Remember to carefully screen and monitor the Motor Vehicle records of your drivers. There should be no tolerance for unacceptable drivers operating company vehicles.
Do you have a drug-free workplace? Estimates vary greatly, but I think everyone agrees that drugs and alcohol should not be tolerated in the workplace and that a testing program is a necessity in all of our companies.
Higher deductibles
Now is the time to consider higher deductibles on your property damage claims. Review your current schedule of autos and equipment and review claims to your own property over the last three or four years. If you currently are carrying $250 or $500 deductibles, consider how much it would have cost you additional if you would have had a $1,000 or $5,000 deductible versus premium savings.
In most cases you should be self-insuring small tools, equipment, etc. Ask your current agent to price various options and high deductibles. Insurance companies rely heavily on the concept that "Frequency of losses result in severity." Eliminating small nuisance claims makes you much more attractive.
Pay small "Medical Only" claims
In most states, paying small "medical only" claims on your Workers' Compensation is legal. You should still report the claim to your carrier, but, in most instances, unless you attach a bill from the medical provider, the carrier will maintain a copy of the report and only refer to it later if the claim develops into something significant. Talk to your insurance representative about paying small, medical only claims under $500 that do not involve any lost time from work. These are the typical cuts and scratches that require a quick trip to the local "doc in a box." This practice can also lower your Experience Modification Factor and make you more attractive to insurance companies that are cautious of any insured with a frequency of small claims.
Choose carefully
It is more important than ever to carefully select the agent/broker that you work with to choose the right insurance carrier for your company. Start the process early. Begin work on your annual renewal 90 to 120 days prior to renewal. Choose an agent who is familiar with insuring contractors, and ask for references.
The same goes with the insurance company. Find a carrier that has a substantial amount of contracting already on the books and preferably a company that provides full Loss Prevention, Claims and Audit services. Make sure you carefully check on the ratings and financial solvency of the carrier.
You are looking for an insurance agent and company with which you can build a long-term, stable relationship. Hopefully, if and when that catastrophic loss occurs, your long-term relationship will allow the agent and the underwriter to carry you through your next renewal without hitting you with a huge increase.
By the way, once you hire the agent who best represents you, follow his or her advice and do not shop your account every year. The commercial underwriting field is relatively close knit, and most underwriters don't give their best effort on a "shopper."
In summary, it is time to tighten up, revive emphasis on safety programs, perform daily inspections and safety checklists, and manage your claims as tightly as possible. In the same manner that you work with a general contractor, architect or owner, put your best foot forward to the insurance company. It may take up to three years, but the longer you wait to start, the greater the increases you will experience. Just like your safety program, constant and consistence effort will pay off in the form of significantly lower increases on the premiums you will have to pay.
CONCRETE, MASONRY WALL SCRAPER
6' Handle Standard
NEW MASONRY JOINT CLEANER WALL SCRAPER
PAYS... CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
"DOES NOT PAY"
• 5 halfround slotted carbide/38" cutting slot
One side for vertical/one side for horizontal
Remove excess mortar from block or brick
Removes fins and burs from concrete wall form joints
Less chance for injury while laborers work on scaffold
Pays for itself in just one day
Also available 6' extension handle that extends wall scraper to 11'
Swivel head adjusts for easy use in difficult areas.
Constructed from lightweight durable aluminum, it features a swivel head for easy use in difficult areas and corners. It has a durable 6-foot powder coated handle. The scraper uses a standard 7" rubbing disc as an abrasive pad. The disc holder is engineered for quick and easy disc changes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SLIP INDUSTRIES. 115 W. STIEGEL ST. MANHEIM, PA 17545 SLIP
1-800-722-8339-1-717-665-2139 FAX: 1-877-722-8339 WEBSITE: www.slipindustries.com
INDUSTRIES
October 2002
Masonry
41