More and more employers are banning cell phones in the workplace because they are distracting enough to be a serious safety issue for workers.

The Digital Distraction & Workplace Safety study, issued by Screen Education, reported that survey 14% of employer respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by their smartphone.  These accidents had serious consequences:

• 59% caused property damage
• 50% caused injury or death

Surprisingly, 47% of respondents said they had in place cell phone restrictions, meaning that the employees were flouting the rules when they caused the accident.

Companies are wising up. General Motors has banned all employees, including its CEO, from walking around with their mobile phones while talking, texting or using other smartphone functions. That’s a smart policy. In busy workplaces, safety should be your primary concern.

Consider the following:

Industrial machinery and phones don’t mix

OSHA bars the use of cell phones in construction regulations pertaining to cranes and derricks, but the hazard exists across any dangerous equipment. 

Some workers should absolutely not have their mobile phones on and within reach, such as powered industrial truck operators, forklift drivers and machinery users. If you have any of these among your workforce, you should strictly ban the use of mobile phones in any capacity during the use of industrial equipment.

You may consider extending the ban to include all other employees who regularly work around that equipment, particularly when they are walking or moving product to and from the warehouse. Also, if any staff from your office are in the work area, they too should refrain from using their phones while walking.

The biggest dangers

When people are using cell phones in an operational environment, it impedes their ability to recognize and react to hazards, particularly moving equipment like forklifts.

Some of the accidents that respondent cited in the Screen Education survey include:

• “(Someone) was on their phone and the elevator door (closed)…their jacket got stuck…which made that person’s collar choke them and leave a red mark.”
• “Someone was distracted by (their) phone when their arm was crushed by a press.”
• “A patient fell because someone was listening to music and didn’t hear the alarm.”
• “We had one employee in a company car texting and driving…(he) rolled the car off a cliff.”

Potential property damage

Distracted cell phone usage is known to cause workers to accidentally misuse equipment or machinery, which can result in either small or serious damage to company property.

Furthermore, the cost of replacing damaged property can have a major financial impact on your organization and possibly be at your expense.

Reduced productivity

Cell phone usage can have adverse effects on warehouse production levels and the individual performance of your employees.

People who are on their phones could be working instead and, if someone is involved in social media banter or watching an amusing video on YouTube, it’s easy for them to ignore important matters that come across their desks.

What you can do

Create a policy that explicitly explains when and where employees may use their mobile phones while on the job.

Some companies ban cell phones altogether, particularly call centers where employees’ devices are collected at the beginning of the day and kept in lockers until breaks.

Consider the following for your rules:

• Mobile phones are barred for employees when performing on-site job-related tasks.
• Answering calls, texting, checking social media or using the Internet are all activities that fall under dangerous cell phone usage.
• Set parameters for when and where employees are allowed to use their phones.
• Consider restricting types of media and videos.
• Hold employees accountable to productivity levels. Note that time spent on the phone on personal matters is keeping them from focusing on their jobs.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

Increasing construction project delays are combining with a hardening market for builder’s risk and liability insurance to create headaches for project owners and contractors.

If your project suffers from delays, you may find it difficult or costly to extend the length of your insurance coverage as insurers have tightened their underwriting policies and some have stopped underwriting construction projects altogether.

Owners need to understand the insurance marketplace and take steps in advance to keep insurance issues from throwing a monkey wrench into a project. 

Delays weigh on contractors

Contractors report several reasons for delays:

• Projects are increasingly complicated and have long durations.
• Initial budgets and estimated timelines may prove to be inadequate or over-optimistic.
• The process of obtaining permits can take years, particularly if there are environmental concerns about the project.
• Increasingly volatile weather conditions are setting some projects back, as hurricanes, floods and wildfires can prevent work from starting or damage work already completed.

Insurers’ response

This is happening at a time of persistently tight insurance market conditions. The size of court damage awards is growing. More frequent and intense storms have sent the cost of property damage losses soaring.

Some insurers have responded by reducing their appetites for insuring construction projects, while others have pulled out of the construction market entirely.

Those that remain are hiking rates, increasing deductibles and self-insured retentions, and adding provisions that reduce the scope of coverage.

In a state like New York with a difficult legal environment, it can be a struggle to obtain adequate coverage at affordable premiums.

Consequently, when an insurer is asked to extend the coverage expiration date for a construction project, the agreement may come with these unpleasant strings attached.

Also, the project budget likely did not contemplate increases in insurance costs and uninsured loss costs midway through the process. 

What you can do

Solving these problems is not easy, but there are things that can be done to address them, as follows:  

Identify solid insurers — At the beginning of the process, owners and contractors should work with their insurance brokers to identify insurers with long track records of providing construction coverage.

Some insurers may jump in and out of markets, depending on how profitable they appear at the time. Multi-year construction projects require insurers who will not exit the market when their profit margins slip.

Where one or more of the project’s insurers have departed the market, it is impossible for the project owners to negotiate a solution. However, if the insurers are still willing to offer coverage, those that have solid, long-standing relationships with owners and contractors may be willing to negotiate terms satisfactory to all.

Negotiate automatic extensions — Owners and contractors should attempt to include automatic coverage extensions during negotiations for the original policies.

These projects involve multiple insurers providing different layers of coverage and it’s important to try to negotiate these coverage extensions with all of them. If one insurer drops out, it may be possible to get some of the others to fill in the gap.

Consider a ‘captive’ — In some cases, contractors may have the option of turning to “captive” insurers to fund higher retentions and uninsured losses. A captive insurer covers the risks of its owners; companies sometimes create them because of tax and cash flow advantages.

Stay on schedule — Do all you can to stay on schedule, so you don’t run into insurance issues. This requires closer coordination among all the contractors and the subs and more attentive management of the project. That may mean additional outlays by the project owner, but staying on schedule is less costly than blowing through the completion deadline.

With the current supply-chain problems not easing anytime soon, the problem of project delays will likely continue. Insurance problems may complicate that further, but they can be managed.

Before your next project, call us so we can get the ball rolling early.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

When you’re in the construction industry you already have lots to worry about: Keeping your workers safe in one of the most dangerous industries, uninsured or underinsured subcontractors, and finding experienced employees from a shrinking pool of talent.

Not only that, but lawsuits lurk in any project, exposing you to serious losses that can threaten the survival of your business. For these reasons, it’s important that you understand your insurance coverages and that you know how to address any deficiencies that may exist in your risk management strategy.

To make sure that you are not left exposed, we recommend the following:

Choose the right insurance company — We can help you find an insurance company with the experience in writing policies in your industry and the resources to tailor coverage to your needs. Remember, some large projects and lenders require that you are covered by only an A-rated insurer.

Don’t buy the cheapest policy — If the policy price is significantly lower than other insurers, that may be a red flag. Make sure the insurer will be covering what the project owner, your lenders and other stakeholders require. If you find out your policy is deficient after you’ve purchased it, you’ll have to cancel it and buy a new one. There go your profits.

Understand your policy — All policies have exclusions and you should understand what the insurance company will cover and what it won’t. We can sit down with you and review every line of your policy, including any additional insured endorsements or exclusions, so you know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.

Don’t buy insurance you don’t need — We can do a thorough review of your business and its risks with your help. It’s important your coverage meets your needs and that you don’t carry coverage for risks you’re unlikely to face.

Use the correct class codes — It’s easy to misclassify certain employees, and if you err it can come back to haunt you. When it’s time for renewal, go through your books and make sure you have job descriptions for all of your employees. Keep track of your staff so that you get it right the first time.

Also, keep track of new employees that you hire (or let go) during the course of the year, so that adjustments can be made to your policy.

Avoid the independent contractor trap — During the last few years, the IRS, the Department of Labor and a number of state agencies across the country have been cracking down on the practice of worker misclassification.

There are many implications for classifying someone who is an employee as a contractor, and all of them are costly. You could be looking at back taxes, owing additional workers’ comp premiums, lawsuits, and more.

Don’t understate payroll — If your insurer audits your business and they find that your numbers just don’t add up, you could end up having to pay additional premium or risk policy cancellation.

Understand how ‘claims-made’ coverage works — “Claims-made” policies have lower up-front and ongoing costs and they only let you make a claim during the policy year during which a project is being built.

The biggest drawback of these policies is that if you have to file a claim years after the project is completed, you may be out of luck — especially if you’ve switched insurance companies.

Check your subs’ insurance certificates — Know whether or not your policy will cover subcontractors or if they need to carry their own liability coverage. Verify that any subcontractors you use have valid and current certificates of insurance.

Keep your policies current and up to date — Many factors should prompt you to revisit your insurance policy: Hiring new employees, buying new equipment or vehicles, or opening a new office. 

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

Whether you are a general contractor, subcontractor or general industry employer hiring a contractor to do work, you will almost certainly have some share in the responsibility for identifying hazards and communicating to employees the safe practices, tools and equipment needed to perform the job safely.

The employer and the contractor share an obligation to communicate planned work activities, the hazards involved and the contracted tasks, as well as the training, tools and equipment that all employees will need.

Before agreeing to work with a contractor, review the following data that gives insight into their safety culture and performance:

• History of safety and environmental regulation violations.
• Injury and loss history.
• Total Recordable Incident Rate.
• Experience modification rate (X-Mod).
• Job and task hazard analysis procedures and results.
• Written safety programs and policies.

Safety requirements

Ensure that you outline requirements in the work contract and in contractor manuals, so there is a clearly communicated expectation of workplace safety. Topics to consider include:

• Company and contractor safety responsibility and emergency contact information.
• A description and the location of hazardous areas, equipment, materials and tasks at the worksite.
• Safety programs that govern the safe work practices for the contracted job.
• Equipment, tools and supplies that the contractor or the employer needs to provide.
• Personal protective equipment required at the worksite and for job tasks.
• Training and certifications that contracted employees need prior to conducting work.
• Reporting requirements and procedures for injuries, illnesses, hazards and safety concerns.
• The expectation for a drug- and alcohol-free workplace.

Data shows that most serious work injuries in the field of construction are related to four general categories:

1. Falls from heights
2. Stuck or caught in between
3. Struck by falling or flying objects
4. Electrical hazards

Work around these types of hazards should typically be supervised or monitored by a competent person. Hazards related to the above factors can be found on most active construction sites. 

Train your staff

Ensure that your employees are knowledgeable about the risks related to working around these hazards by creating or utilizing training resources that include the following topics:

• Lockout/tagout procedures for equipment on-site.
• A list of permit-required and non-permit-required confined spaces on-site.
• Heat illness prevention procedures.
• Trenching and excavation procedures and the location of utilities.
• A list of chemicals used on-site and access to safety data sheets.
• Areas where fall protection is required.
• Vehicle, driving and traffic safety rules for the worksite.
• Good housekeeping methods.
• Worksite safety inspection processes and frequency of inspections.
• Worksite security procedures.
• Personal conduct requirements.

Training is important to familiarize employees with how to control job hazards and prevent injuries. Suggested initial and ongoing training topics include:

• A worksite safety orientation, including a discussion of the hazards associated with the tasks of the job to be performed.
• The contents of contractor safety manuals.
• Pre-job briefings and shift meetings.
• Safety tailgate topics specific to the worksite and job tasks.
• Trainings that are required to control a hazard, condition or behavior.

Emergency procedures

Ensure that you train general contractors on the worksite-specific emergency procedures and equipment.

Knowledgeable employees and contractors can cooperate and make fast, quality decisions if they are prepared before an emergency occurs. The following topics and procedures at a minimum should be provided to employees and contractors:

• Fire prevention and evacuation plans.
• Emergency spill response and procedures.
• Exit routes and assembly areas for emergency evacuations.
• The location of emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits and rescue equipment.
• Emergency contacts and communication methods.
• Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them.

Establishing clear expectations, communication, training and monitoring all help employers and contractors work together in order to complete their jobs safely, while also protecting the safety and health of all employees.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

For the most part, when a business needs to file an insurance claim, the carrier accepts the claim and sends out an adjuster to assess the damage, after which it starts paying the claim.

But the process sometimes doesn’t go smoothly, particularly if the insurance policy includes any number of exclusions. And many companies make mistakes in the claims process that may violate their policy’s conditions.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure your claim is paid, as follows:

Contact your insurer immediately — When an accident or loss occurs that’s potentially covered by your policy, you should contact your insurer right away. The earlier the better as it’s easier for a carrier to assess any damage shortly after an incident.

If you are late in filing your claim, the insurer may question the severity of injury or damage.

Also, most business insurance policies require policyholders to promptly file claims for damage or loss. If you fail to report a loss or claim within a reasonable amount of time, your insurer may deny coverage on the basis that you’ve breached the insurance contract.

Review the insurance policy carefully — Review the insurance policy to understand what it does and doesn’t cover. Be sure to read the entire contract, including all endorsements. If you have trouble understanding the wording, feel free to call us for assistance.

Review your policy again before you file a claim. Be sure you understand the duties you are obligated to fulfill to obtain payment for a loss.

Create an inventory of losses — This is essential for providing a clear picture of the loss or damage. Include descriptions of items, their original values and estimated current values. You should keep receipts for high-cost items and equipment as backup documentation.

It is also helpful to include a description about the condition of the item before it was damaged. If it is possible to take photos of the damaged items, do so and submit them with your claim.

Show proof of the loss — Insurers require policyholders to sign sworn statements that show proof of their losses, and the required information must be sent along with the statement.

This statement must be made and signed within 60 days of the insurer’s first request for it.

Prepare for the adjuster — Be ready for the adjuster to inspect the property. Document any losses that occurred and take as many photos as necessary to provide a clear image of the losses.

If there is a large number of photos, you can create a file on the cloud or save them on a thumb drive that you can provide to the adjuster.

It is also helpful to do a walk-through of the damaged area with a video camera or a cell phone camera. Videos help show the damage live and from multiple angles. Use videos to supplement photo files.

Make temporary repairs if needed — If you have to make temporary but necessary repairs, you can do so before the agent or adjuster surveys the property, but contact your insurer first to let them know. Do not order any unnecessary repairs.

The only types of temporary repairs that should be made are those that will prevent further damage or prevent a possible liability. For example, a temporary roof repair may be necessary to prevent the roof from collapsing and injuring people, and a broken window may be fixed to prevent rain from coming in a building and causing damage.

Since repairs are deducted from the settlement, keep receipts for any services and items purchased. For contracted work, obtain two written bids from separate companies before hiring someone. 

A final word

Always stay organized when going through the claims process. Keep all papers and files accessible and have information ready in the event that your adjuster calls.

When talking to any repair companies or other related parties on the phone, keep track of calls and the reason for calls. Save receipts for any items that you purchased in relation to the damage.

If you have any questions about filing a claim on one of your policies, feel free to give us a call.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

Workers in a number of construction occupations are exposed to crystalline silica. Breathing too much of this dangerous dust can lead to serious lung damage, resulting in long-term illness or even death.

Workers in cement, concrete or stucco operations, abrasive blasting, jack hammering, rock and well drilling, brick and block cutting, and tunneling operations are often exposed to crystalline silica. Any dust-producing operations should follow industry safety standards as well as OSHA regulations to protect workers.

Here’s where to start:

What happens when exposure occurs

When inhaled into the lungs, crystalline silica dust creates scarring or fibrotic nodules around the silica particles and may result in silicosis.

Silicosis may result in breathing difficulty, tuberculosis — and possibly death. Exposure ranges from cumulative (over many years of exposure) to acute (exposure to high concentrations of contaminated air in short periods).

Acute silicosis is identifiable by fever, shortness of breath, and cyanosis, or bluish-colored skin. Silicosis is incurable and may be progressive even after dust exposure has ceased.

Harmful silica particles, as small as 1/100th the size of a grain of sand, are impossible to detect by sight or smell. They can only be measured using air-sampling equipment. In comparison, a human hair is 70 microns, and the silica dust we are concerned with is as small as 10 microns.

Protections

There are a number of steps you can take to protect your workers. Most of these should be used in conjunction with each other:

• Engineering controls — mechanical ventilation for removal of contaminated air.
• Replace crystalline silica materials with safer substitutes whenever possible.
• Require workers to wear NIOSH-approved respirators.
• Practice wet-dust suppression measures like water sprays to wet the material so that it generates less dust.
• Isolation/enclosure/ventilation of dusty processes.
• Use handheld grinders with a shroud and vacuum.
• Use wet grinding/cutting methods.
• Wear aprons or coveralls and disposable clothing.
• Combine the use of more than one control measure.
• Conduct environmental monitoring.
• Educate and train workers and supervisors.

Good housekeeping is an essential part of workplace safety, and reducing exposure to silica dust is no exception. Consider employing the following housekeeping measures:

• Minimize your dry sweeping of the work area.
• Use vacuum cleaners to collect dust on a daily basis.
• Wet down the area prior to clean-up.
• Never use an air supply to blow dust off work clothing. Air pressure causes silica dust to become airborne.
• Remove dust-contaminated clothing at the worksite to minimize transportation and relocation of the dust.

Silica dust will have long-term effects on the health of your employees, so preventing exposure is an issue that requires significant attention. Be sure to minimize the possibility of exposure by following OSHA’S Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction and implementing robust protective measures.

Silica-containing materiall

The materials listed below contain silica which can be released through cutting, breaking and grinding, among other work:

• Asphalt
• Brick
• Cement
• Concrete
• Concrete block
• Drywall
• Fiber cement products
• Grout
• Gunite/Shotcrete
• Mortar
• Paints containing silica
• Plaster
• Refractory mortar/castables
• Refractory units
• Rock
• Roof tile (concrete)
• SandSoil (fill dirt and top soil)
• Stone (including granite, limestone, quartzite, sandstone, shale, slate, cultured)
• Stucco/EIFS
• Terrazzo 
• Tile (clay and ceramic)

Additionally, under OSHA regulations, all employers whose workers encounter inhalable silica exposure should prepare the following documents:

• A written Silica Exposure Mitigation Plan.
• Documentation of compliance with Table 1 of the Silica standard.
• Documentation of regular exposure measurement.
• A hazard communication and training program.

OSHA has a handy guide for employers whose workers may be exposed to silica dust in the workplace. You can find it here.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

One of the most common construction industry accidents is falls from heights, which is why it’s crucial that you have in place fall protection systems for your workers.

One of the best ways to prevent injuries and death from falls is by using a fall-arrest system. But while these systems can save lives, they can cause suspension trauma if the worker is not rescued and brought to ground level as soon as possible and is instead left suspended in an upright position, with their legs dangling. 

Because the worker is suspended in an upright position with their legs hanging, blood begins to accumulate in the legs. This is commonly called venous pooling (the accumulation of too much blood in the veins), which reduces the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart and brain.

Remaining in this position for a long time can cause the worker to pass out and the longer they hang in place, the more it can result in serious health problems — and even death.

The warning signs of suspension trauma are:

• Faintness
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Paleness
• Narrowing of vision.

Certain factors can also contribute to the risk of experiencing suspension trauma, such as:

• Weather conditions.
• The onset of shock and injuries sustained during a fall.
• Blood loss.
• Overall health.

How to avoid suspension trauma

Safe, prompt rescue is the key to preventing suspension trauma. The sooner a worker can be rescued, the less likely they are to endure such trauma.

During the rescue, care should be taken to slowly put the victim back on the ground. Try to avoid suddenly letting them into a horizontal position, which can cause deoxygenated blood to flow back into the body (reflow syndrome) and cause damage to the brain and other organs — and even cause the heart to stop.

Suspended workers awaiting rescue can take some action to guard against injury, including:

• Adopting a sitting position, if possible.
• Moving into a horizontal position as much as possible.
• Using their legs to push off from a hard surface, keeping the muscles active.
• Pumping legs frequently to maintain blood flow and prevent venous pooling.

One of the primary ways to slow the progression of suspension trauma is to stand up. When standing, the leg muscles must contract to provide support and maintain balance and these actions also put pressure on the veins. This pressure, along with a series of one-way valves in the veins, helps blood get to the heart and reduces the amount of blood pooling in the legs.

Workers can stand by using the trauma-relief straps that are attached in pouches on the side of the fall-arrest harness. When suspended, the worker can deploy the trauma-relief straps, which provide a loop that they can put their feet into and press against to simulate standing up.

Some additional suggestions to keep in mind:

• Train workers on the rescue procedures for suspension trauma and how to avoid reflow syndrome.
• Have a plan in place to rescue suspended workers quickly and get them immediate medical attention.
• When rescuing a suspended worker, do not lay them flat into a horizontal position; instead keep them sitting up with their legs straight out in front of them.
• After a rescue, keep the worker calm and monitor them so they do not faint and fall into a horizontal position.
• Get a rescued worker immediate medical attention and ensure that medical personnel are aware of the possibility of suspension trauma.

Don’t leave your fall protection plan hanging. Learn proper prevention and prompt rescue techniques to prevent suspension trauma.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

Material handling accidents account for thousands of injuries and a number of deaths each year on construction sites.

They are one of the top injuries in the construction trade and can result in serious injuries and death depending on the material, the weight of the load, and the distance it falls. These injuries lead to needless suffering and result in lost workdays, a likely OSHA citation and higher workers’ compensation rates.

Safe material handling practices can help prevent these accidents from happening in the first place. Material handling safety can be broken down into three equally important parts:

Safe handling

Safe handling of construction materials can include:

• Properly securing all materials that are stored in tiers. Pipes, steel beams, poles and other heavy materials can slide or tilt if they are not stacked and blocked adequately, allowing them to potentially fall on workers.
• Keeping combustible and flammable materials in fire-resistant containers.
• Determining and prominently posting the maximum safe load limits of floors where materials are stored, and taking care not to exceed those limits.
• Maintaining clear and sound aisles and passageways for moving materials.
• Constructing ramps or graded walkways between work areas on different levels to make accidents and spills less likely.

Storage

Improperly stored material can shift or topple over, causing potentially serious injuries.

Sound storage practices required by OSHA include:

• Stacking bricks in piles no more than 7 feet high, with every layer above 4 feet tapered back 2 inches for every foot. While masonry blocks can be stacked in taller piles, contractors should also taper the piles above the 6-foot mark.
• Limiting stacks of lumber to 20 feet high (16 feet if workers will handle lumber without machines) in stable piles on level sills that provide good support. Prior to stacking, remove all used nails.
• Keeping materials more than 6 feet from hoistways.
• Not storing materials in floor openings.
• Storing materials more than 10 feet from an exterior wall that is shorter than the top of the pile.
• Not storing materials on scaffolds or runways unless the contractor is about to use them.

Disposal

In the hurry to get the job done, workers often dispose of construction debris in unsafe ways, such as tossing pieces of lumber off the side of the building. This risks injury to anyone standing below.

Contractors should follow these guidelines for proper waste disposal:

• Remove all scrap, especially combustible materials, as it accumulates instead of letting it pile up. However, do not remove it until workers are certain that the people working over their heads are finished tossing it to the ground.
• Use an enclosed chute to drop debris from the higher points of the building.
• Barricade areas where workers will drop debris without using a chute.
• Use separate containers for materials covered with oil or flammable liquids.

The takeaway

Your insurance company’s loss control department may have resources available to assist contractors with improving material handling. If you want to inquire about resources, give us a call and we can check.

Sound material handling practices help prevent injuries, fines and penalties, and reduce workers’ compensation costs. They will also enhance your reputation with potential employees. Putting these safeguards into place makes both moral and practical sense.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

Large construction projects involving multiple contractors are ripe for claims and if your company is involved in such an enterprise, one of your top priorities needs to be risk mitigation.

With the specter of property damage, material losses and workplace injuries looming large, especially when there is more than one employer on a site, it is imperative that all parties hash out responsibilities and insurance issues prior to the project starting

All the parties need to discuss openly risk-transfer strategies in their contracts to limit their liability for claims and adopt procedures for handling the anticipated risks. You should cover waivers of subrogation and reciprocal insurance requirements.

Insurance requirements

If you’re concerned about the insurance implications, discuss the matter with us or your broker.

Start by brainstorming about possible claims that may arise during the project. After you’ve come up with that list, it will be easy to identify the types of insurance you’ll need.

A short list would likely include:

• Builder’s risk insurance
• Commercial general liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation coverage
• Professional liability insurance
• Property insurance.

Depending on the project, though, specialized types of insurance may also be required.

Once you’ve finalized the list, the parties can negotiate who can get the best rate for coverage that is available to more than one party.

In the event of catastrophic liability claims, commercial umbrella insurance provides a broader level of coverage beyond the scope of the coverage provided by underlying commercial property and liability insurance policies.

When losses exceed the coverage limits of standard business auto, business property or commercial general liability (CGL) policies, commercial umbrella policies take effect to cover the balance (subject to policy limits and other conditions).

Property owners have filed countless lawsuits against contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, alleging damages arising out of construction defects. These contractors have often tendered claims under their CGL policies.

These insurance claims have been litigated ad nauseum and the emerging consensus appears to be that construction-defect claims are generally not covered under CGL policies.

Waivers of subrogation

A waiver of subrogation provision transfers liability for a claim to another party’s insurance.

These waivers are intended to reduce litigation that might otherwise arise when an insurer feels another party was fully or partially responsible for the claim.

With a waiver, an insurer only has rights against its policyholder. If the policyholder has contractually waived subrogation to a subcontractor, the insurer generally cannot use subrogation to recover its payment for a loss from the contractor.

Waivers of subrogation promote economic efficiency because only one party needs to insure a particular risk. Addressing these issues upfront in your contract is the first step to controlling the financial impact to all parties involved.

Wrap-ups

Large construction projects are becoming more difficult to finance because of increasing costs, lack of control and rising litigation. In recent years, “wrap-up” insurance programs have been used to help decrease the cost of construction while making the project economically safer.

In a wrap-up, the project owner furnishes a single insurance program for all parties involved in the project for the duration of the project. This insurance relates to the exposures of the project and protects the project owner, contractor and all tiers of subcontractors.

Most wrap-ups include workers’ comp, general and excess liability, and builder’s risk coverages (auto liability and contractors equipment are not included). Wrap-ups can include project architects/engineers errors and omissions coverage and other optional coverages.

Wrap-ups on large construction projects can be either owner-controlled or contractor-controlled. Owner-controlled wrap-ups account for about 90% of the wrap-up programs currently being performed in the U.S.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group

Employment in the construction industry is surging as pent-up demand means that more homes are being built at a brisk pace. But this new growth in housing has come at a price for those working in the industry: a significant jump in construction workplace deaths and injuries. 

In 2022, 976 construction workers died on the job, according to OSHA. Also, injuries are surging as more contractors are forced to hire more inexperienced workers, who are more likely to be injured on the job. This means construction firms have to double down on safety, and that starts with sound tailgate meetings and buy-in from management.

You can use this handy list of meeting topics to plan your tailgate meeting agenda for the year. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does cover the major areas that you should refresh your workers on annually. 

Workplace hazards — Hazard recognition is a skill that all workers need to stay safe on the worksite. This training should cover common types of hazards found in the construction industry, how to assess their severity and the different control methods employed to prevent incidents from occurring.

Managing worksite conditions and equipment — The dangers vary at each worksite depending on the job as well as the weather. As a result, hazards associated with housekeeping, slips, trips, falls and materials need to be recognized. Training should include general tool safety guidelines including rotating machinery, air, electric and power tools.

Fall protection — Falls are a serious hazard in all construction. This training should focus on basic fall protection equipment used in construction, worker and employer responsibilities for working at heights, and common fall protection inspection points.

Ladder and scaffold safety — Some of the most common tools used on construction sites today include ladders and scaffolds, which pose their own fall hazards. They can also be major sources of injuries due to falls and improper use. Training should focus on the types of ladders and scaffolds that will be used in a job, correct set-up, usage and contraction, along with a description of scaffold tags.

Defensive driving — Whether your employees are driving to work, from work, or operating a piece of equipment on the worksite, it is important to practice safe, defensive driving techniques. Your training should focus on state driving laws, defensive driving techniques and typical causes of motor vehicle accidents.

Powered mobile equipment — Powered mobile equipment is used for many purposes in the construction industry. It is important to operate and work safely near this equipment. Training should cover all of the powered mobile equipment you’ll have on the job, how to conduct a pre-job walk around of a machine and how to work safely around the various pieces of equipment.

Personal protective equipment — Although it is your last line of defense in the prevention of injury, personal protective equipment (PPE) is a regular part of the clothing worn on most construction jobs. Training should focus on the role of PPE on the job, basic PPE found in the construction industry, and when specialized PPE is necessary.

Excavating and trenching — Any excavation has the potential to harm workers who are not properly informed of the risks associated with digging and how to prevent dangerous incidents. Training should explain hazards, different soil types and their properties, and important safety precautions that should be part of all digging operations.

Personal physical care and conduct — Working in the construction industry requires substantial physical health and stamina. In this module, ways to care for your body to prevent injuries and the impacts of drugs and alcohol on your ability to work safely should be examined, as well as professional behavior and conduct on the worksite.

Hazard communications — The construction industry uses various chemicals and materials that could be harmful to your health if not handled correctly. Training should focus on the Globally Harmonized System of hazardous materials labeling and the function of Material Safety Data Sheets, so that employees know how to protect themselves from dangerous hazardous materials. 

Environmental safety — Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Training should introduce workers to the typical types of pollutants found in the construction industry, what to do in case of an accidental release of hazardous materials and general transportation of dangerous goods requirements.

Emergency response — When an accident does occur, your employees, supervisors and managers should know your emergency response plan. Training should cover key response plan elements, how to access first aid on the worksite, and basic fire-fighting techniques. 

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs!  We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health.  We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU! 

BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help!  We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner.  We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2023 – BGES Group