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  • In its Quarterly Experience Report, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California reported that written premiums were up by 27% due to higher employer wage levels and economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    The report concluded that:

    • California’s written premiums for the first six months of 2022 were 27% above that for the first six months of 2021 caused by the economic recovery.
    • The average charged rate for the first half of 2022 was 3% below that for 2021, making it the lowest in decades. 
    • The projected combined ratio for 2021, including COVID-19 claims, is eight points higher than in 2020 and 33 points higher than the low point in 2016. 
    • The average claim closing rates declined sharply beginning in the second quarter of 2020 due to the pandemic. After bottoming in 2021, average claim closing rates are beginning to increase in 2022. 
    • Medical service costs per claim increased by 3% in 2021, driven by an increase in the average paid per medical service transaction. 

    The Impact GMS Has On Your Business

    As workers’ compensation rates continue to climb in California, GMS can provide a better rate than what the state has to offer. Our workers’ compensation specialists help minimize your exposure, maintain records, and complete best practices that keep your business compliant with OSHA. Sharee Andrade, GMS’ Senior Director of Risk Management Underwriting expressed, “GMS helps businesses on all levels. We offer a robust workers’ compensation policy that covers 47 out of the 50 states, ensuring you stay compliant with state and federal laws. Our risk management team is yours as well. Our team of experts helps with underwriting, safety protocols within workplaces, and handle the claims process from start to finish.” Contact us today to learn more.

  • A bill amending workers’ compensation benefit requirements for employees who sustain an injury while working from home goes into effect on September 23rd. House Bill 447 states that an employee who works from home and is injured is compensable under Ohio’s workers’ compensation system only if:

    • The injury arises out of the employee’s employment
    • Was caused by a special hazard of the employee’s employment activity
    • It is sustained during an activity undertaken by the employee for the exclusive benefit of the employer

    The bill restricts the definition of injury for employees who work from home. Previously, if a remote worker was injured, it was compensable if sustained during and arising out of their employment. The bill is meant to codify the limitations of work-from-home injury claims, says Philip Fulton, a Columbus-based injured workers attorney.

    Lower Your Risk Of Workers’ Compensation Claims 

    GMS helps you lower your risk of workers’ compensation claims. By helping you reduce the risk of accidents and potential claims, you receive a much lower rate than what the Bureau will offer. Should an injury happen to an employee while working from home, GMS will make the overall claim determination and will cover all medical and compensation costs. Learn more by contacting us today.

  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced its top 10 most-cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2021. OSHA publishes this list annually to raise employer awareness regarding the commonly cited standards. It’s imperative to recognize and correct hazards to avoid a visit – and heavy fines – from OSHA.

    The top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards including the number of violations for 2021 are:

    1. Fall protection – general requirements: 5,295 violations
    2. Respiratory protection: 2,527
    3. Ladders: 2,026
    4. Scaffolding: 1,948
    5. Hazard communication: 1,947
    6. Lockout/tagout: 1,698
    7. Fall protection – training requirements: 1,666
    8. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment – eye and face protection: 1,452
    9. Powered industrial trucks: 1,420
    10. Machine guarding: 1,113

    As fall protection is ranked number one for the 11th year in a row, it is vital you and your employees are trained properly. Every company should conduct an annual review of its safety policies and procedures, coinciding with this list’s publication. The list that OSHA provides is simply a starting point for identifying areas to evaluate as you fine-tune your 2022 safety program – however, your employees’ safety requires much more.

    The Importance Of Workplace Safety 

    Every worker should feel safe in their work environment. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide the right conditions for their employees. No matter the size or industry of your business, workplace safety is the number one priority.

    Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, workplace safety has become more important than ever. COVID-19 resulted in an increase in illnesses alongside the development of remote work. Safety-related initiatives result in fewer accidents, fewer occupational health costs, better employee retention and satisfaction, less employee downtime, and less retraining time.

    Invest In Workplace Safety

    Every year, U.S. businesses suffer the consequences of workplace injuries resulting in lost time, leading to costly fines for your business. What proactive steps are you taking to ensure the safety of your employees? GMS assists business owners in taking a proactive approach to workplace safety through various services:

    • Onsite consulting
    • Jobsite inspections
    • Accident and injury investigation

    Allow our team of safety experts to conduct onsite inspections prior to OSHA showing up. Be proactive and partner with GMS today.

  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that they will begin the enforcement phase of its emphasis program to prevent workplace hearing loss. Although this program focuses mainly on manufacturing industries, occupational hearing loss is a widespread concern.

    OSHA reported that more than 30 million workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous noise each year causing thousands of workers to suffer from hearing loss that could have been prevented. Hazardous noise levels within the workplace are not only a concern for hearing loss but also contribute to other causes of physical and mental stress, ultimately, lowering employee productivity.

    With OSHA’s new regulations on occupational noise exposure, employers are now required to implement a hearing conservation program when employee noise exposure is equal to or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels (dBA). The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for noise is 90 dBA as an 8-hour TWA.

    Now, you may wonder, how can I prevent my employees from being exposed to hazardous noise? There are sound-measuring instruments available to measure noise levels which include sound level meters, noise dosimeters, and octave band analyzers. If you have access to mobile iOS devices, you can download the Sound Level Meter app as well. Partnering with a PEO like GMS can also ensure the safety of your employees.

    How GMS Can Help With Workplace Safety

    We understand that business owners can’t keep operations running and thriving without a healthy and efficient workforce. Your employees need the resources and tools to succeed while you are ensuring you’ve created a safe work environment. GMS helps small business owners take a proactive approach to workplace safety through a variety of services. We provide onsite consulting, job site inspections, accident and injury investigations, training, job hazard analysis and standard operating procedures, and OSHA inspection and citation assistance. If you want to make your workplace a safer place, contact us today.

  • In yet another year of COVID-19 regulations, the workers’ compensation industry will face more challenges. Workers’ compensation covers the cost of medical care and rehabilitation for workers injured on the job. Businesses are still experiencing staffing shortages, evolving regulatory changes, and more. This means new guidelines for compliance, new coverage options, and the need to be adaptable.

    Workers’ compensation remains to be a stable and profitable segment of the commercial insurance industry. However, since the beginning of COVID-19, claims are rising at exponential levels. Experts have stated that there is a variety of factors that are driving up the costs of claims when a workplace injury occurs. Below is a list of factors that are driving up the costs of claims:

    • Aging workforce
    • Medical inflation
    • Rising wages
    • High indemnity costs
    • Catastrophic injury severity 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2021, 23% of the U.S. workforce was older than 55. Workers’ compensation claims for these employees accounted for 31% of the total cost. The changing workforce and rising medical costs were top concerns within the workers’ compensation sector. If you have elderly workers who take longer to recover from an injury and less-experienced workers who get injured more often, you end up with a handful of claims. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reported that 2.3 million men and women experience work-related injuries every year. With many businesses experiencing labor shortages, they are forced to hire someone who may be less experienced and may need additional training, which could put them at a greater risk for injury.

    • Increase in treatment per injured worker
    • Services rendered in a hospital setting
    • More expensive care
    • Mergers between medical facilities 
    • Consolidation of physician practices
    • Outpatient “ambulatory” hospital services 

    Partner With A PEO Today!

    As a business owner, do you feel that your workers’ compensation claims are through the roof? A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) like GMS partners with businesses to control their workers’ compensation insurance rates and protect them from costly claims. Our team of experts work hard to help you save money and prevent your workers from injuries on the job. Embrace workers’ compensation management so you can keep the focus on growing your business. Contact us today!