Request a call Login

  • As temperatures drop and winter approaches, construction business owners encounter specific challenges, including weather-related delays and increased safety risks for workers. Preparing for winter involves more than just providing warm protective gear; it requires careful planning to keep projects on track and ensure the health and well-being of employees.

    Winter preparation is essential for maintaining workforce safety, ensuring compliance with regulations, and completing projects efficiently and on schedule. Continue reading to discover effective ways to prepare your business and protect your employees during the winter months. 

    Preparing For the Winter Months

    Winter conditions increase the risk of injuries, especially in the construction industry. With freezing temperatures, ice, and snow, employees face a greater risk of making a mistake, slipping on patches of ice, experiencing hypothermia or cold stress, or mishandling equipment. To reduce the risk of these accidents, business owners should review their current safety policies and procedures and consider the following tips. 

    Provide proper winter gear

    To help reduce the risk of hypothermia, slips, falls, or frostbite, employers should provide proper gear. This gear should include insulated gloves, boots with good traction, warm outerwear, and eye protection. When employees have proper safety equipment, they feel safer, which can lead to improved productivity and morale. 

    Schedule with intention 

    Employers should require employees to wear proper equipment and schedule work shifts during the warmest parts of the day, typically when the sun is up, to minimize exposure to cooler temperatures.

    Business owners should also schedule consistent breaks. This allows employees time to warm up and hydrate in a heated, dry environment. This ensures your employees are alert, warm, and at a lower risk of cold stress or hypothermia.   

    Consistently check the job site 

    Cold weather can significantly impact equipment and construction materials. To minimize damage from snow, ice, and moisture, it is important to properly cover or store your materials. This practice helps maintain the quality of your equipment and can save you money on potential replacement costs. It’s also best practice to keep walkways, access roads, and the job site free from any ice or snow to prevent accidents or delays.  

    Prioritize worker safety 

    Along with providing appropriate protective equipment for your workforce, it is essential to offer safety education. Conduct refresher training sessions on cold stress and hypothermia, covering their symptoms, causes, and treatment. When employees recognize the signs, they are more likely to take proactive steps to seek warmth and ask for help. Winter safety training should also review basic safety procedures, injury and accident protocols, and remind employees of the best practices for navigating job sites during the winter months.  

    Construction Safety with GMS

    As a construction business owner, navigating the cooler temperatures and the accompanying wind, snow, and ice can be challenging. But with the right preparation and education, your workforce can operate safely and efficiently. You also don’t have to navigate the winter months alone. With Group Management Services (GMS), you gain a trusted partner who can assist with risk management and workers’ compensation claims. 

    GMS’ safety team offers a range of services, including conducting safety audits, addressing compliance concerns, developing safety plans, providing training, and offering on-site consulting. They can help you proactively manage your safety policies and risk management, ultimately making your company simpler, safer, and stronger. 

    Explore our risk management offerings here!  

  • Workers’ compensation insurance is essential for the health, safety, and security of both employees and employers when a workplace accident or injury occurs. Employers purchase workers’ compensation insurance annually to provide coverage for employees who sustain injuries or illnesses at work. This coverage typically includes compensation for lost wages and medical expenses such as doctor visits, medications, and more. 

    For employers, understanding the limits and structure of their workers’ compensation policy is crucial, not only for compliance but also for financial and operational planning. 

    What Are Employer’s Liability or Part B limits?

    Workers’ compensation limits refer to the maximum amount an insurance policy will pay if an employee decides to sue you for a work-related illness or injury.  These limits are typically broken down into different categories, such as:

    • Per accident: The maximum payout for a single incident. 
    • Per employee: The maximum payout for claims made by one employee.
    • Policy aggregate: The total amount the policy will cover across all claims during a policy period. 

    Different policies offer different limits, and choosing the right coverage depends on the size of your workforce, the nature of your business operations, and your risk exposure. Typical policy limits are $100,000 per accident, $500,000 per policy, and $100,000 per employee.   

    How Claims Impact Employers

    When an employee files a workers’ compensation claim, the employer may face several consequences. If a company has a history of frequent, severe, or high-cost claims, it may receive higher insurance premium costs. A higher number of claims can disrupt operations by affecting productivity and staffing. If an employee is absent from work due to an accident, it can reduce overall production, efficiency, and morale within the workplace. Additionally, the absence of an employee can lead to increased labor costs due to overtime pay for other employees covering for the missing worker. 

    Managing these claims requires significant time and administrative effort. Completing paperwork, managing expenses, conducting investigations, and implementing safety measures can shift focus away from core business operations. Understanding policy limits is crucial for reducing these risks and facilitating smoother claim handling. 

    GMS Workers’ Compensation Coverage

    Choosing the right workers’ compensation policy and understanding its limits is a key part of responsible business management. Group Management Services (GMS) provides workers’ compensation, assistance, and coverage with a policy limit of  $1 million. This coverage helps protect businesses from the financial strain of workplace injuries while ensuring employees receive the care and support they need.  

    Our team can assist with post-accident and claims investigation, return-to-work programs, claims certification, and more. We act as a helping hand as you navigate workers’ compensation and accompanying claims, giving you the expertise and knowledge you need to manage costs, protect your employees, and implement proper safety measures. 

    With GMS’ $1 million coverage, employers can feel confident they have strong protection in place. Still, it’s important to regularly review your policy and claims history to ensure your coverage continues to meet your needs. Feel free to contact us and learn more! 

  • Ensuring workplace safety and maintaining regulatory compliance are essential responsibilities for any business owner. While some industries pose fewer risks than others, every organization benefits from implementing strong safety policies and procedures. Prioritizing workplace safety reduces accident rates, improves productivity, and lowers potential workers’ compensation costs. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your workforce and business operations is through a comprehensive risk assessment. 

    What Is a Risk Assessment? 

    A risk assessment is the process of identifying potential hazards in the workplace and the associated risks within an environment. It helps business owners proactively address safety concerns before they lead to incidents. Risk assessments are a proactive approach towards maintaining workplace safety and should be conducted thoroughly and consistently to ensure regulatory compliance. 

    Risk assessments typically follow three steps: 

    1. Identify hazards in the workplace
    2. Evaluate the risk level and likelihood of each hazard
    3. Develop solutions to control or eliminate the risks

    While a risk assessment is more detailed, the objective remains the same: identify hazards and implement effective solutions to minimize risk. 

    Why Risk Assessments Matter

    1. Protection

    The primary purpose of a risk assessment is to create a safer environment for employees and clients. By identifying and addressing hazards, businesses can prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses. A safe workplace fosters peace of mind, reduces stress, enhances productivity, and can reduce the number of workers’ compensation claims. 

    2. Compliance

    As a business owner, keeping up with federal, state, and local safety regulations can be overwhelming, especially while managing day-to-day business operations. Risk assessments help identify areas of concern and help you decide what solutions to implement. When you’re compliant, you keep your employees safe from risk and your company from potential reputational damage and monetary penalties.  

    3. Efficiency

    When you have clear and compliant guidelines in place within your workplace, it improves overall safety, morale, and efficiency. Establishing company-wide rules about the proper way to respond to a hazard or accident reduces the risk of mistakes, saves time during an emergency, and gives your workforce peace of mind knowing there is a plan in place. It’s also a good idea to develop emergency action plans, run daily safety checks, and require employees to wear protective clothing to improve the overall safety of your workplace.  

    Benefits of Conducting Risk Assessments

    Regular risk assessments offer numerous benefits:

    • Timely intervention to prevent accidents
    • Improved awareness of safety issues among employees
    • Data-driven insights into problem areas
    • Continuous improvement of safety policies and procedures

    Safety policies can always be improved upon; therefore, conducting a risk assessment consistently ensures the overall safety of your workplace and fosters a culture focused on safety, awareness, and accountability. These assessments proactively identify vulnerabilities, preventing emergencies and costly fines.  

    Workplace Safety with GMS

    Risk assessments aren’t just another risk management strategy; they’re a vital part of maintaining a safe and productive workplace.  Managing workplace safety is an important and challenging responsibility, but you don’t have to do it alone. Luckily, there are third-party companies like Group Management Services (GMS) that can assist with risk management and workplace safety. 

    GMS’ safety experts offer a range of services, including conducting risk assessments, performing job hazard analyses, assisting with compliance, consulting on potential safety solutions, and inspecting your workplace through job site evaluations, and more. By investing in safety, organizations protect their people, preserve their reputation, and build the foundation for long-term success. 

    For any needs related to risk management and workplace safety, GMS is there to help. Learn more about our risk management services here!  

  • Creating a safe work environment isn’t just about limiting accidents or reducing workers’ compensation rates; it’s about protecting your workforce, your reputation, and your bottom line. Workplace accidents can lead to lost productivity, compliance issues, and decreased employee morale. Fortunately, with the right risk management strategies and safety policies, many injuries and accidents can be prevented. Continue reading to learn about a variety of risk management strategies that can help reduce accident and injury rates. 

    1. Conduct a job site inspection

    The first step to cultivating a safer work environment is to carefully inspect and review your current workplace for potential hazards and identify high-risk areas. It may be beneficial to make a list of the hazards you’ve found, and then you can begin identifying potential solutions to eliminate them. Common hazards include unguarded machinery, chemicals, improper lifting techniques, proximity to flammable materials, lack of personal safety equipment or gear, and more. If you’re unsure about how to identify a safety hazard or implement measures to reduce those risks, there are third-party companies, like Group Management Services (GMS), that can assist with jobsite inspections and hazard identification.  

    2. Develop clear safety policies

    Another way to prevent potential accidents or injuries is by developing clear safety policies. These can include mandating employees to wear protective equipment on a specific machine, requiring eye protection, and providing continuous education and training on certain processes or machines. Create and maintain a written safety program that outlines workplace procedures, responsibilities, and expectations. It’s also important to communicate the details of your safety program to employees, ensure these policies are easy to understand and accessible, and keep your workforce up to date with any changes that are made. 

    3. Provide ongoing training

    Safety training shouldn’t be a one-time program or presentation. Training should be a continuous and conscious effort, especially for companies working in high-risk environments such as construction or manufacturing. Business owners should ensure their employees are trained and knowledgeable about the equipment they use, the processes they follow, and common hazards to watch out for. Offering regular sessions on topics like equipment use, emergency procedures, and hazard recognition is a great way to start. It is also best practice to tailor training to specific roles and update it as new risks or regulations emerge. 

    4. Use personal protective equipment

    Preparation is a proactive approach to ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. Business owners should ensure employees have access to essential personal protective equipment (PPE) items such as gloves, goggles, helmets, masks, and vests. These items aren’t just recommended, they’re often required, especially in high-risk industries like construction. But no matter what company or industry you operate in, wearing PPE adds an extra layer of protection and is an effective way to reduce risks and potential injuries from a workplace hazard.

    5. Work with safety experts

    To effectively build a safe and compliant workplace, consider working with risk management professionals who can provide on-site consulting, safety audits, and customized prevention plans. Additionally, a third party can assist with job training, carry out job hazard analyses, provide inspection support, and offer compliance support. Their expertise will help you identify potential issues early and streamline your safety policies and procedures. 

    Risk Management with a professional employer organization

    Creating a safer workplace doesn’t happen overnight. Accident prevention and workplace safety require ongoing commitment, communication, and collaboration. Establishing a safe and compliant environment can be challenging, especially with constantly changing laws and regulations. This is why many business owners choose to partner with a certified professional employer organization (CPEO) like GMS. 

    With the right resources, business owners can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. GMS’ safety experts can assist you in conducting thorough inspections, developing clear safety policies, leading ongoing training programs, and providing compliance support. Our team can also help reduce workers’ compensation rates and claims.

    By investing in safety, you’re protecting the future of your business. Explore all of the ways that GMS can help you create a safer workplace here! 

  • California employers are facing a significant compliance challenge with the state’s recently enacted Senate Bill 553 (SB 553). Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 553 into law, which requires employers with at least 10 employees in California to develop and implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) by July 1, 2024.

    Employers will likely have to coordinate with multiple internal stakeholder groups, making it challenging to comply with the new law. California is the first state in the nation to pass such a sweeping WVPP law, setting the precedent that other states are expected to follow.

    Understanding The Mandate

    The law mandates that employers provide thorough training to all employees, covering a range of critical elements. The training must include instructing employees how to report concerns to their employer and to law enforcement. The training must also cover:

    • The statute’s definition of workplace violence.
    • The four types of workplace violence – criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker, and personal relationship.
    • The employer’s plan.
    • The workplace violence hazards specific to the employees’ jobs.
    • How employees can protect themselves in the event of a workplace violence incident.
    • Employees may request to review or copy the employer’s records relating to the workplace violence prevention plan, including the violent incident log that the statue requires. The log must include a detailed description of each workplace violence incident and be maintained for five years.

    What This Means For Managers

    Managers will need guidance on the breadth of conduct covered by the law and the necessary reporting procedures. Managers must ensure that employees fully understand the meaning of workplace violence, including but not limited to the four workplace violence types:

    1. Criminal intent: This type of violence generally won’t have a legitimate relationship with the business or its employees.
    2. Customer/client: Involves a customer, client, patient, or visitor becoming violent towards an employee, often due to disputes over service, products, or perceived mistreatment.
    3. Worker-on-worker: Violence between coworkers, including bullying, frequently manifests as verbal and emotional abuse that is unfair, offensive, vindictive, and/or humiliating.
    4. Personal relationship: The perpetrator has a personal relationship with the employee outside of work, such as a domestic partner, and brings that violence into the workplace.

    Tracking Incidents

    Employers must also maintain detailed logs of all workplace violence incidents for at least five years, which employees can request to review. Employers should also consider whether workplace violence concerns can be incorporated into their existing reporting procedures for safety issues. Ensuring clear communication around this requirement will be key to encouraging reporting without deterring employees.

    Include Your Employees

    Employees should also have a role in the planning process because they are the ones who will bring the issues to HR. Every employee has a role in keeping the workplace safe and that should be the focus of the training.

    More Laws To Come

    Beyond the WVPP, California employers will need to prepare for other new employment laws taking effect in 2024, such as the increase in paid sick days and the new bereavement leave policy. Managers will likely require training on navigating these bills as well.

    Need Support Managing These Mandates?

    Navigating the complexities of workplace violence prevention and government mandates is a significant challenge for employers. GMS can provide expert guidance on ensuring compliance with these new laws and mandates. With GMS, you can remove the time spent worrying about missing legislative updates that may affect your business. Our team will help you create a combative strategy to ensure your operations continue running smoothly and safely. Contact GMS to learn more!

  • As more states across the U.S. legalize cannabis, its presence in the workplace has become a pressing issue for employers. States such as Colorado, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and many others have legalized cannabis for recreational use, while even more have legalized it for medical purposes. As a business owner, this legalization presents a new set of challenges for maintaining workplace safety and compliance with employment laws.

    The primary concern centers on ensuring your workforce is unimpaired while on the job, especially in industries where safety is paramount, such as transportation, health care, and construction. As you can’t dictate what an employee does off the clock, adapting your business policies to prioritize sober working is crucial.

    Creating these policies is no small task; given the ever-changing legal landscape and the variations in laws across different states, any policy implemented today will likely require future updates and refinements to keep pace with ongoing changes. However, creating internal policies should still be a priority as it can safeguard your business against discrimination or wrongful termination suits if any incidents occur. To help you get started, we’ve compiled essential information to formulate a policy that suits your business needs and ensures compliance with local and federal regulations.

    Understanding Cannabis And Its Effects

    Cannabis or marijuana, primarily known for its psychoactive and medicinal properties, contains several compounds, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) being the most significant. Recreational cannabis has THC and CBD; the THC is the primary psychoactive component known for its ability to impair cognitive and motor functions, affecting decision-making, reaction times, and coordination. Separately, medical cannabis is stripped of the THC while keeping the CBD non-psychoactive and highlighted for its potential therapeutic benefits, such as reducing inflammation and anxiety without causing a “high.”

    The effects can vary depending on the individual, method of consumption, potency, and personal tolerance. However, typically, the impairment from smoking cannabis can last several hours, while edibles, which take longer to metabolize, can be delayed and last significantly longer. Understanding these variances is crucial for employers and employees to make informed decisions about consumption during personal time.

    Developing Workplace Policies

    As an employer, it’s essential to balance both the rights of employees who use marijuana legally outside of work and your ability to maintain a safe work environment. This can include implementing policies that prohibit working under the influence of marijuana, even if used off-duty. However, you must check your local and state laws to remain compliant when crafting your drug policies.

    In some states, such as Illinois, where cannabis has been reclassified as a “lawful product,” you’ll need to be mindful not to break the state’s Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees for off-duty “use of lawful products.”

    Despite the complexities of these differing state laws, you can still develop policies that safeguard your employees and minimize the risk of accidents. Your policies should clearly and fairly outline your stance on cannabis to prevent impairment in the workplace. In addition, it should clearly define the consequences of policy violations to ensure that all team members understand the seriousness of compliance. Having a detailed policy that includes possible repercussions can help safeguard your business in the event of a violation that leads to a termination of employment.

    In addition to developing comprehensive policies, it’s critical to train your team to ensure effective implementation. These policies should also be easily accessible to your staff for review whenever necessary. Including them in an employee handbook is an ideal start, as it’s often the most centralized resource for employees to find company information.

    Testing And Monitoring

    Unlike alcohol, cannabis can stay in an individual’s bloodstream for 30 days and hair for up to 90 days or longer for regular consumers. This means drug tests aren’t always reliable for determining active impairment. In addition, there is also no legally or medically accepted definition of what constitutes impairment for cannabis use, making it more difficult to accurately determine an employee’s non-compliance with your policies.

    However, there are a few signs you can look out for. If you carefully document instances over time, you should be protected from a wrongful termination suit if you end up needing to fire an employee due to non-compliance. These signs include:

    • Poor muscle or limb coordination 
    • Delayed reaction times and abilities 
    • Red eyes
    • Changes in speech or overall behavior
    • Negligent or carelessness while on the clock
    • Panic or anxiety

    While employees may have the right to use marijuana recreationally or medically in states where it is legal, employees are generally not permitted to be impaired at work, especially in safety-sensitive positions. This means business owners are well within their rights to enact policies and monitor employees to protect their teams and businesses.

    Prevention And Employee Assistance

    While implementing policies is a significant step in ensuring a safe work environment, establishing a healthy workplace culture that prioritizes safety is another way to help prevent injuries due to cannabis use. Positive cultures tend to have collaborative mindsets where teams and individuals work together towards common goals. This sense of shared responsibility not only boosts productivity and retention but also creates an environment where employees are motivated to perform at their best. This supportive atmosphere helps ensure that safety is a collective priority and can significantly reduce the risks of workers showing up with impaired functioning.

    In addition, offering employee assistance programs (EAPs) can help employees struggling with substance abuse issues. EAPs can help address employees’ personal issues by providing confidential and professional counseling; some even offer this service via phone, text, and email 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure your team can get the help they need.

    How GMS Can Help

    Professional employer organizations (PEOs), like GMS, can help with various tasks, including developing your HR policies and procedures and employee training. As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate, and ensuring compliance with local and federal regulations can be complicated, stressful, and time-consuming.

    Additionally, GMS can help you offer employees the best health care benefits while reducing your overall costs. Traditional health care arrangements are no longer working. Whether your organization lacks an HR department or simply needs a resource to make more informed decisions about the management of benefits, GMS is here to help. GMS changes the approach to increase affordable options and give your employees access to small business health insurance.

    GMS takes the administrative burdens off your plate. Our team of experts ensures compliance, giving you peace of mind while saving you time and money. Contact us today to get started.

  • Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has taken a stand against workplace safety violations by suing a Georgia pesticide and agricultural chemical manufacturer. The lawsuit alleges that the company illegally terminated a worker who had filed a workplace safety complaint with federal regulators, shedding light on the crucial issue of employee protection and the cost of speaking up for safety.

    Allegations And Retaliation

    The DOL filed the suit against Gainesville-based Avenger Products LLC and its parent company, Kittrich Corp, citing the wrongful termination of an employee who had raised concerns about chemical exposures in the workplace. This move comes after a federal whistleblower investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uncovered the alleged retaliation against the worker for voicing safety apprehensions.

    OSHA’s Assistant Regional Administrator in Atlanta emphasized the impact of employer retaliation on employees’ willingness to engage with federal safety investigators. She stated that it creates a chilling effect that hampers the cooperation necessary for ensuring workplace safety.

    Legal Action And Consequences

    The lawsuit filed by the DOL seeks justice for the terminated employee by demanding back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and damages for emotional distress from Avenger Products. It’s a strong message to employers who disregard their employees’ rights and prioritize their own interests over the well-being of their workforce.

    In addition, the DOL highlighted the company’s troubling history of workplace safety violations over 20 years, with proposed penalties totaling $254,189 between June 2018 and December 2019. These repeated violations underscore the urgency of addressing the company’s disregard for safety protocols and the need for accountability in safeguarding employees.

    How A PEO Can Help

    To ensure your business doesn’t make the same mistakes as Avenger Products LLC, consider partnering with a professional employer organization (PEO). A PEO like GMS offers various services; however, in this instance, it can help business owners prevent cases of workplace safety violations, employee lawsuits, and compliance issues. This strategic partnership mitigates the risk of costly lawsuits and ensures a focus on essential business operations. Ultimately, gaining access to the expertise and resources of a PEO empowers business owners to proactively safeguard their workforce and maintain a compliant, secure, and efficient work environment. Contact our safety team today to learn how we can make your business simpler, safer, and stronger.

  • On average, employers report nearly 2.8 million cases of nonfatal injuries and illnesses among employees annually. Whether it’s a slip in the hallway or an equipment malfunction, accidents happen, and taking a proactive approach is crucial in safeguarding your employees and business.

    While worker safety programs with regular training and protocols are important, workers’ compensation insurance is one of the most essential tools to utilize. In fact, in every U.S. state except Texas, having workers’ compensation insurance is not only best practice but also the law. The consequences of being caught without coverage can lead to severe legal issues for your business, including possible shutdown.

    While we can give you a general overview of workers’ compensation, it’s crucial to note that every state in the U.S. and Washington D.C. has its own program, each with specific requirements and regulations. This means it’s not only a recommendation but it’s also a necessity to check and understand your local laws to protect your business. By doing so, you can ensure full compliance and avoid potential legal issues down the line.

    What Is Workers’ Compensation?

    Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides comprehensive benefits to workers who become injured or ill on or as a result of the job. This insurance offers quick help to cover medical expenses related to the injury, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages during the period an employee is unable to work.
    While regulations vary by state, employers generally accept liability for work-related injuries and illnesses regardless of fault. In return, employees receive prompt and guaranteed compensation for their injuries while giving up the right to sue their employer for negligence. This system not only protects your employees but also provides a safety net for your business, ensuring that you can continue operations even in the face of unexpected accidents or illnesses.

    What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

    Workers’ compensation can cover a variety of needs, including salary replacement. Salary replacement can be particularly helpful when an employee needs to take a significant amount of time off work. However, typically, it covers less than an employee’s full salary, usually around two-thirds.

    In addition, workers’ compensation can include the following:

    • Medical expense coverage: Most plans provide reimbursement for health care costs, including, but not limited to, emergency room visits, surgical procedures, and medication.
    • Continuous support: Should an injury or illness require long-term care, such as occupational or physical therapy, due to a work-related incident, workers’ compensation may cover these needs.
    • Repetitive stress injuries: Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, often seen in employees involved in continuous typing, develop over months or even years. Most workers’ compensation will cover injuries or conditions resulting from repetitive tasks.
    • Disability assistance: In cases where an injury permanently incapacitates an employee, workers’ compensation offers financial support similar to wage replacement. Both disability assistance and salary replacement help cover medical expenses and compensate for lost wages. The difference is salary replacement is for employees who can return to work after healing, and disability assistance is for those unable to resume their roles.
    • Benefits for survivors: In the unfortunate event of an employee’s death from a work-related injury or illness, workers’ compensation provides financial assistance to the dependents and may also cover funeral expenses.

    Employer Responsibilities

    As an employer, you’re responsible for providing adequate and compliant coverage for your team. When looking into your coverage options, there are several factors to consider, including which industry you work in. Sectors known for their high-risk environments, such as manufacturing or nursing, typically require more comprehensive coverage and are subject to higher premiums compared to other industries. In addition, it’s important to consider how many employees you have and what you are legally required to provide based on your state.

    Your legal obligations extend beyond just providing insurance; you’re responsible for accurately documenting and reporting incidents. In the event of a workplace injury, your first responsibility is to ensure the injured employee receives necessary medical attention. This may involve calling emergency services for severe injuries or providing transportation to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment.

    Once your employee has received medical attention, it’s crucial to document the incident thoroughly. This documentation should include details about how the injury occurred, the nature of the injury, and the time and place of the incident. All this information should be included in the First Report of Injury (FROI) and sent to your claims representative. In most cases, this needs to be done within 24 hours of the incident or from when an employee seeks medical attention. Failure to do so will result in substantial fines and leave your business open to lawsuits from the injured employee.

    Workers’ compensation can get expensive, especially if you’re in a high-risk industry. Creating a culture where safety is a priority and claims management is taken seriously is crucial to combat costs and prevent injuries

    Protect Your Business With GMS

    Workers’ compensation can be a costly expense, especially for small businesses. Partnering with a professional employer organization (PEO) like GMS can help save money and prevent your workers from being injured on the job. At GMS, we approach workers’ compensation in two ways: cost containment and loss prevention.

    Cost containment

    You may not be a Fortune 500 company, but when you partner with GMS, you’ll gain access to a risk management team that gives you Fortune 500 service. We do this by minimizing your exposure, helping you keep records, and completing other crucial best practices that keep your business compliant with OSHA.

    Loss prevention

    Our loss prevention strategies include risk assessments, safety training, the development of safety manuals and guidelines, workplace inspections, and OSHA compliance. GMS will work with you to reduce the risk of workplace accidents so that your business has fewer, less severe claims over time. If an incident does occur our partnership with CarivaCare provides our clients with 24/7 access to a workers’ compensation nurse triage program. This program offers employees a neutral, third-party medical professional to report any injuries on the job.

    Contact us today, and let us help you offer your employees the best coverage while saving your company time and money.

  • When employees come to work, they want to feel confident in their surroundings and know that their safety is prioritized. In fact, 89% of Americans have determined workplace safety to be more important than ever. Workplace safety isn’t just a box to check; it’s the foundation for building an environment where employees feel secure and takes ongoing effort to maintain. Establishing safety protocols is critical to developing a culture of trust, respect, and responsibility, supporting employee satisfaction and business success and maintaining legal compliance.

    Safety laws and regulations help ensure employee well-being and empower them to effectively perform their duties without fear of injury or illness. Regulations concerning safety also help to preserve company equipment and property by requiring regular maintenance and inspections. Whether it’s operating heavy machinery, handling hazardous materials, or navigating busy workspaces, having up-to-date safety protocols reduces the chance of work-related injuries and safeguards your business. No matter the size of your business, guidelines are necessary to maintain optimal conditions for employee safety and productivity.

    To create a workplace where employees feel confident in their safety, it’s crucial to identify vulnerabilities, understand how to prevent accidents, and promote a practice of safety.

    Understanding Workplace Risks

    In order to prepare for and prevent workplace accidents, it’s necessary to first understand the risks and vulnerabilities associated with your working environment. While working conditions vary by industry, there are common hazards such as slips and falls, exposure to hazardous chemicals or machinery accidents to be aware of and plan for.

    In addition to physical risks, as a business owner, you have legal and ethical obligations to ensure your staff’s safety. Failure to meet these standards not only puts employees at risk, but can also lead to reputational harm, costly fines, and penalties. To implement the proper protocols and remain compliant with safety laws, you must understand the risks your work environment presents and anticipate possible incidents.

    Proactive Measures

    It is best to treat and prepare for accidents before they arise. The first step in taking a proactive approach to workplace safety is to conduct thorough risk assessments that can help identify potential hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends each workplace create a checklist of potential hazards, pertaining to categories such as electrical systems, equipment operations, fire protection, and more.

    Furthermore, analyzing past incidents can help identify patterns and provide valuable insights into recurring issues and areas for improvement. To assure your business is actively reducing risks to employee safety, make sure you are taking the following precautions:

    Establish safety protocols and procedures

    Once possible hazards and risks have been identified, it’s vital to implement safety protocols and procedures that address the detected vulnerabilities. Safety guidelines should be documented and clearly communicated to employees. Making safety protocols easy to access supports employees in understanding the practices and swiftly locating them during emergencies. In addition, regularly review and update your protocols to keep up with evolving safety regulations and industry standards.

    Provide training and education programs

    To aid in enforcing protocols, comprehensive workplace safety strategies should include training and education in how to avoid accidents, handle equipment, and respond to emergencies. Providing safety training to all employees helps keep them aware of risks and everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe work environment. Research shows employees are 68% more likely to follow protocols when employers offer at least 20 hours of annual safety training. Along with general safety education, specialized training should be offered to any employee required to complete high-risk tasks.

    Supply necessary safety equipment

    Providing the appropriate safety equipment is critical to employees’ well-being. While hazards differ depending on the working environment, personal protective equipment (PPE) offers defense against many risks. From construction sites to health care facilities, PPE includes helmets, gloves, goggles, earplugs, respirators, and more. To uphold proper protection, safety equipment should be regularly maintained and inspected for any malfunctions. It’s also important to keep up with changing standards for safety equipment to guarantee employees have the best protective gear available.

    How To Create A Culture Of Safety

    In addition to following documented standards and protocols, your company’s overall mindset around safety and communication is also a key factor in protecting employees and equipment. Over half of Americans believe their employers’ communication regarding safety needs improvement. Beyond simply adhering to established guidelines, it’s imperative to cultivate a culture that prioritizes safety and promotes open communication.

    Leadership commitment to safety

    To boost buy-in and morale amongst employees, your company’s leadership must demonstrate their commitment to the health and safety of the team. Leaders can set a positive example concerning safety through their actions and decisions. When leaders actively engage in safety protocols, such as wearing PPE, they set the standard for others to follow. Investing in training, upgrading equipment, and allocating resources also displays dedication towards maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.

    Encourage employee involvement and open communication

    Reporting near misses should be encouraged as it allows you to identify potential hazards and address them before they escalate into more serious incidents. To foster open communication within the workplace, it’s essential to make employees feel comfortable sharing safety-related information without fear of reprisal. Promptly handling safety concerns also shows devotion to employee well-being and reinforces trust between management and staff.

    Monitor and show continuous improvement

    Maintaining effective workplace safety requires consistent effort. Conduct regular safety audits and inspections to identify potential hazards and deficiencies in existing safety protocols. Diving into past incident reports to find issues that may have been originally overlooked. By consistently refining safety procedures, you can enhance workplace safety and create a safer environment for all employees.

    Stay Safe By Partnering With A PEO

    A professional employer organization (PEO) can equip your business with the necessary resources and expertise to implement effective workplace safety protocols. When you partner with a PEO like GMS, you have access to safety experts who can offer professional advice and various services to guarantee compliance and protect your employees. We also offer courses and training to assist you in reducing workplace injuries and enhancing safety practices.

    Our experts can help make your safety practices not only compliant but also tailored to the unique needs of your business. Contact us today to start improving your employees’ health and safety!

  • In the construction world, safety isn’t just about checking off an item on your list, it’s the most critical aspect of your business. Yet, even with all the precautions in place, tragedies still strike, reminding us of the real risks involved. Unfortunately, this was tragically reinforced in August 2023 when a worker lost their life due to an electrocution incident. Let’s dive into the details of this incident so construction businesses can take proactive steps to ensure this doesn’t happen to their staff.

    The Incident

    At a Palm Pay residential construction site, tragedy struck. A worker, suspended from a crane boom, came into contact with two 13,200-volt power lines. The result was fatal – an unimaginable loss that shook the community. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) swiftly investigated the incident, uncovering serious violations.

    Citations And Violations

    Capt’n Hook’s Crane Service Inc., a Florida-based crane rental company, was cited by OSHA for the following violations:

    • Uncertified crane operator: The company employed an uncertified crane operator. Crane operators play a pivotal role in ensuring safety during lift operations. Proper certification ensures competence and adherence to safety protocols.
    • Operating near overhead power lines: Operating a hydraulic crane within 200 feet of overhead power lines is risky. The proximity to high-voltage electricity poses an immediate danger to both workers and the public, which Capt’n Hook’s Crane Service Inc. failed to observe.
    • Other-than-serious violations: The company also failed to label and mark rigging equipment, failing to ensure the legibility of warning labels on the crane.

    OSHA proposed a hefty penalty of $26,585. This financial consequence serves as a stark reminder that safety lapses have real-world costs.

    Lessons Learned

    1. Certification matters: Employing certified professionals ensures competence and adherence to safety standards. Companies must prioritize proper training and certification for all personnel.
    2. Safety zones are non-negotiable: The 200-foot buffer around overhead power lines exists for a reason. It’s not a suggestion; it’s a mandate. Companies must rigorously enforce this safety perimeter.
    3. Attention to detail saves lives: From labeling rigging equipment to maintaining legible warning labels, every detail matters. These seemingly small actions can prevent catastrophic accidents.

    Safety First With A PEO

    As we learn about this fatal accident, let’s collectively commit to a safer future. As a business owner, take a proactive approach to workplace safety and partner with a professional employer organization (PEO) like GMS. GMS’ safety experts provide a wealth of knowledge and offer various services to ensure your workplace is compliant and your workers are protected. From job site inspections and OSHA citations and assistance to training and everything in between, our experts are here to make your workplace a safer place. Don’t make the same mistake that Capt’n Hook’s Crane Service Inc. did; contact us today!