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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.

  • Individual state governments continue to propose and adopt legislation requiring businesses to ensure consumers’ privacy rights; however, some states are preparing faster than others. All companies in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania should be prepared for changes that could be coming their way. The three states have considered implementing bills similar to California’s strict law.

    The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives consumers more control over the personal information being collected about them. This law secured new privacy rights for California consumers, including:

    • The right to know about the personal information collected and how it’s used and shared
    • The right to remove or delete personal information 
    • The right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information 
    • The right to nondiscrimination when exercising CCPA rights

    What This Means For Michigan, Ohio, & Pennsylvania

    Should Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania implement a law similar to the CCPA, it would require covered businesses to enforce policies and procedures that provide privacy rights to consumers. If you’re a business owner in one of these states, it is vital to understand the requirements, as they could impact your business.

    Michigan

    The Michigan legislature is considering the Consumer Privacy Act that would apply to for-profit entities conducting business in Michigan or producing products or services targeted at Michigan residents.

    Should the Michigan legislature pass, it would provide consumers with the following rights: 

    • The right to access the personal data collected about an indiviual
    • The right to request that a business is to correct any personal data about them that is inaccurate
    • The right to opt-out of the processing of personal data for purposes of targeted advertising or profiling 
    • The right to obtain the personal data that they provided to the business in a portable and readily usable format
    • The right to opt-out of the sale of the consumer’s data

    Ohio

    The Ohio Personal Privacy Act applies to certain for-profit entities in Ohio. This also includes producing products or services targeted to consumers within the state that has met specific requirements. In addition, this act would exclude specific organizations from its coverage, including state agencies, institutions by HIPAA, and more.

    The act would provide consumers with the following rights:

    • The right to access personal data collected about them
    • The right to request the removal of personal data collected from a consumer for business purposes retained in electronic formats 
    • The right to opt-out of data being processed or transmitted
    • The right to request your data must be provided electronically in a portable, easily usable format
    • The right to opt-out of the sale of personal data of the consumer

    Pennsylvania 

    The Pennsylvania legislature is considering three pieces of legislation: the Consumer Privacy Act and two bills called the Consumer Data Protection Act. The Consumer Privacy Act provides consumers the same rights as the Michigan Consumer Privacy Act.

    The Consumer Data Act applies to for-profit entities that do business in Pennsylvania and meet specific limitations. This act is different from the Consumer Privacy Act as it does not include the right to correct misinformation, restrict the processing of personal data for targeted advertising or profiling, or obtain data in a portable format. In addition, the Consumer Data Act provides for a private right of action when a consumer whose non-encrypted or non-modified personal information is subject to unauthorized access and exclusion, theft or disclosure, to implement and maintain appropriate security procedures and practices resulting in a breach of the business of duty.

    The act includes: 

    • The right to access personal data collected about them
    • The right to request that the business remove any personal information it collected from the consumer
    • The right to opt-out of the personal data of the consumer 

    What’s Next 

    No matter where your business operates, it’s vital to understand the ever-changing laws in each state. As states are beginning to implement similar laws to California, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania regarding privacy. As a business owner, staying on top of the evolving rules and regulations is essential. When you partner with GMS, you gain access to experts and resources that will help you do so. We partner with small businesses to take on the administrative burdens they don’t have time to handle. Stop worrying about the future and partner with GMS. Contact us today.

  • The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Woodbridge Englewood Inc. for one willful and nine serious violations, with the proposed penalties equaling $271,403. It is determined that the company was cited for exposing their workers to fires while failing to properly train them on initial stage fire identification and the use of fire extinguishers. This was followed by federal safety investigators receiving a referral from a local fire department that had responded to 13 fires at this company in two years.

    Woodbridge Englewood Company 

    Woodbridge Englewood, formerly known as Hematite, is a designer and manufacturer of automotive and industrial components. Its products include insulators, body plugs, acoustic wheel liners, underbody shields, lower air deflectors, aero shields, under-engine covers, and more. Woodbridge Englewood has multiple locations across the country, with its headquarters in Canada. However, this incident occurred at its Clayton, Ohio, location.

    OSHA’s Findings

    Between June 2020 and June 2022, Woodbridge Englewood Inc. had 13 fires at its facility. OSHA found that the polyethylene material this company heats to create molten plastic for automotive parts catches on fire in the ovens. In addition, the material is easily ignited, even by static, and is very difficult to put out when a fire occurs. Employees combated fires with extinguishers, which lessened repair costs and production time, rather than allowing sprinklers to activate, endangering workers.

    Ken Montgomery, OSHA Area Director in Cincinnati, Ohio, stated, “the company must immediately review its emergency action plans and the process for storing and handing flammable materials. Incorporating training and protective measures will help minimize fires and protect workers on the job.”

    Be Proactive, Partner With GMS

    At GMS, our safety experts are here to ensure a similar situation similar to this Ohio manufacturer doesn’t happen in your warehouse. It’s essential your employees are given the right tools to succeed while creating a culture of safety to minimize any risks their daily activities may carry. GMS can help business owners take a proactive approach to workplace safety through various services, including:

    • Onsite consulting
    • Job inspections
    • Accident and injury investigations
    • Training
    • Job hazard analysis (JHA) and standard operating procedures (SOP)
    • OSHA inspection and citation assistance 

    Want to make your workplace a safer place? Contact us today. 

  • According to a report released by the Texas Department of Insurance, 24% of workers in Texas who had approved COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims received medical or hospital/facility services one-month post-injury. In addition, the division reported that 74 insurers in Texas saw more than 90,000 COVID-19 claims and 459 fatalities.

    Sixty-eight percent reported had involved employees who tested positive or had been diagnosed with COVID-19. It was determined that insurers had denied 39% of COVID-19 claims for tests that came back positive. However, with more than 22,000 denials of COVID-19 claims with positive tests or diagnoses, there were only 207 disputes filed with the Division of Workers’ Compensation as of August 7th.

    Of the 35% of the medical and indemnity claims:

    • 89% of the hospital/facility payments were made for inpatient services
    • 8% for outpatient services
    • 3% for other

    How GMS Can Help You

    While COVID-19 is unpredictable and we can’t stop the spread completely, our team of experts can certainly help you take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace. While you probably already have a safety protocol in place for COVID-19, our risk management team can do a walkthrough of your building to ensure you are taking all necessary steps. Partnering with GMS makes your business simpler, safer, and stronger. Let us take on the administrative burdens so you don’t have to. Contact 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.

  • According to the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), during the first 27 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of workers’ compensation claims increased by 20%. The DWC oversees the administration and operation of the Texas workers’ compensation system.

    The goals of DWC are to ensure:

    • Each employee is treated with dignity and respect when injured on the job
    • Each injured employee has access to fair and accessible dispute resolution processes
    • Each employee that is injured has access to high-quality medical assistance
    • Each injured employee receives services to facilitate their return to work as soon as it’s considered safe and appropriate by their health care provider

    Since May 1st, 2022, insurance companies have reported over 83,000 COVID-19 claims and 448 fatalities to DWC. More than half of these claims were shown to be injured employees who tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, insurance companies:

    • Accepted 58% of positive test claims
    • Denied 42% of positive test claims

    With that being said, out of the 21,000 claims that were denied, there were only 184 disputes filed with DWC. A report stated that this was the highest number of claims and has interrupted a 20-year trend in Texas of fewer workers’ compensation claims reported each year. 51% of COVID-19 claims were in the public administration sector – first responders, correctional officers, and prison workers. 18% of the claims accounted for health care workers and social assistance.

    Carriers have paid a total of $40.6 million in medical costs on COVID-19-related claims that were reported to an insurance carrier as of March 31st, 2022. However, 76% of these costs have been paid by political subdivisions, 20% from insurance carriers, and 4% from the state of Texas.

    How You Can Lower Workers’ Compensation Rates

    The formula for determining your company’s workers’ compensation rates is complex; however, the concept is simple. The more claims an employee files, the higher your rate will be. GMS’ experts work hard to help you save time and money and prevent your workers from being injured on the job. Our team will work with you to reduce the risk of workplace accidents so that your business has fewer, less severe claims over time by using the following:

    • Risk assessments
    • Safety training programs
    • Development of safety manuals
    • Development of safety guidelines for employees
    • Workplace inspections and guidance on OSHA compliance
    • Help implement a drug-free and drug-testing program

    GMS’ workers’ compensation claims management team provides businesses with more than just cost savings. Most importantly, you gain a partner that oversees the process of claims management. We work closely with carriers to ensure that your best interests are always at the forefront. Contact us today to get your workers’ compensation risk under control.

  • 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.