Some of the key takeaways from the annual recognition to help protect what matters most include:

PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS

Develop a Comprehensive Emergency Plan: Create a that outlines procedures for emergencies, such as fires, natural disasters and medical incidents. This plan should include evacuation routes, designated assembly points and clear communication channels.

Regular Training and Drills: Conduct and emergency drills to familiarize employees with evacuation procedures, first aid protocols and the use of safety equipment.

Establish Communication Protocols: Implement a that enables swift and effective communication during emergencies. Ensure employees know how to access emergency contact information and stay informed.

Medical and First Aid Readiness: Have well-stocked first aid kits readily available and ensure that designated employees are trained in . Consider organizing training in CPR and basic medical response.

Regular Plan Review and Updates: Periodically review and update your to account for changes in personnel, facilities and potential risks. Regularly communicate updates to employees.

LOOKING AHEAD

By blending preparedness with strategic insurance coverage, businesses can be equipped to endure challenges and ensure the safety of your workforce and the resilience of your operations.

91������ offers a range of insurance solutions tailored to the specific needs of your company. By partnering with 91������, you can create a comprehensive risk management strategy that includes both preventive measures and financial safeguards. Contact our risk management team for a range of tailored and inventive solutions designed to fortify your financial stability and uphold a secure and thriving work environment for your business.

Preventable injuries, commonly known as “accidents,” are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, . Join us in observing National Safety Month as we work together to highlight the leading causes of preventable injury and death in order to create healthier, safer environments at home and in the workplace.

Promoting Safety in the Workplace

This year, the following weekly topics will be highlighted during National Safety Month:

Week 1 – : By prioritizing workplace safety, employers can stay prepared and create a positive and productive environment for their employees. This includes implementing robust safety protocols, providing proper training, and maintaining equipment. Organizations can also use this month to review safety policies, conduct risk assessments, and engage employees in safety initiatives to ensure a safer work environment for everyone.

Week 2 – : It may come as a surprise that the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death is falls. In 2021, 44,486 people died in falls at home and at work, according to . For working adults, depending on the industry, falls can be the leading cause of death. Whether working from a ladder, roof or scaffolding, it’s important for employers to plan ahead, assess the risks and be sure to use proper, well-maintained equipment. Observational safety programs can also help to reduce the risk of falls at work.

Week 3 – : Every year, thousands become sick from occupational heat exposure and, in some cases, these injuries can be fatal. To avoid hazardous heat exposure, employees should:

• Consume adequate fluids (water and sport drinks)
• Work shorter shifts or split shifts
• Take frequent breaks
• Quickly identify any heat illness symptoms
• Wear proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Week 4 – : Even in familiar surroundings, employers need to be looking for dangers in the workplace. Keeping an eye out for hazards and performing routine building safety measures can help organizations identify and avoid them before an injury occurs.

Moving Forward

As a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, 91������ aligns with the principles of National Safety Month by offering comprehensive risk management solutions and insurance products tailored to specific industry needs—all of which enhance workplace safety, minimize potential losses, and protect your bottom line. This month serves as a reminder that investing in safety is not just a legal obligation, but a responsible choice that benefits everyone involved.

It’s important for commercial drivers as well as drivers of passenger vehicles on active roadways to be acutely aware of work zone safety and prevention in order to help minimize accidents and fatalities.

What is a ‘Work Zone Accident’?

Work zone crashes are defined as “taking place within the boundaries of a work zone or on an approach to or exit from a work zone due to activities, behaviors, or controls related to traffic moving through the boundaries of a work zone,” In 2020, 857 people were killed and 44,240 people were injured in work zone crashes.

Accidents and fatalities related to work zones are often caused by commercial drivers passing through areas that include narrow lanes, sudden stops, traffic pattern shifts, and uneven roads. These work zone changes are frequently altered or rerouted throughout the duration of a road construction project.

How to Safely Share the Road

“All drivers should be aware that work zones can change day to day, or even hour to hour,” said Todd Bernardoni, Risk Management Expertise Specialist at 91������. “No one wants to make a split-second decision on the road from not planning ahead of time that could potentially change lives forever.”

, drivers should adhere to the following to reduce the risk of work zone crashes:

• Plan your route ahead of time; check for upcoming work zones and detours
• Reduce speed while traveling through work zones; be prepared to stop
• Stay alert and avoid distractions; pay attention to workers, flags, signs, and signals
• Give workers in the area extra room; slow down when approaching work sites
• Be aware of passenger vehicles, including blind spots, and maintain extra space
• Move into open lanes as soon as possible when approaching lane closures

Best Practices by Region

Many industries have work zone jurisdictions or commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driving routes that cross into multiple areas of the U.S. This means there may be additional work zone safety considerations to know during a driver’s journey depending on where they are traveling.

“In addition to adhering to nationwide safety best practices, it’s important to note there are specific playbooks for areas where there are heightened efforts due to the high number of fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles in work zones,” said Sean Yakicic, Risk Management Expertise Specialist at 91������. “Following these guidelines can help businesses in these areas reduce risk of accidents.”

Learn more about the specific best practices for states who experience heightened work zone crashes:

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Work Zone Awareness Week Activities

Businesses are encouraged to participate in National Work Zone Awareness Week by following along with the campaign, accessing the resources, and spreading the word about the importance of work zone safety with employees who drive for commercial purposes. The American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation is coordinating resources and events for the week with the following themes:

• Work Zone Safety Training Day – April 17
• National Kickoff Event – April 18
• Go Orange Day – April 19
• Social Media Storm – April 20
• Moment of Silence – April 21

Enhance Safety with Your Fleet Today

91������ offers Fleet Safety and Distracted Driver training courses, and partners with leading technology vendors to provide policyholders with telematics technologies that track and improve driver behaviors. To learn more about commercial fleet safety programs and distracted driving prevention, reach out to your 91������ Risk Management Consultant or contact riskmanagement@amerisure.com.

Learn More

Activities and resources are available by visiting the official website.

Read about the real-world impacts of work zone safety:

According to , the purpose of this policy change is to “make its penalties more effective in stopping employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with certain workplace safety and health requirements.”

What to Know

The agency’s new measures aim to be important enforcement tools to both deter employers from disregarding their responsibilities to protect workers, and to ensure compliance with OSHA standards and regulations. There are two main components to be aware of:

1. OSHA regional administrators and area office directors now have the authority to cite certain types of violations as “instance-by-instance citations” for cases where the agency identifies “high-gravity” serious violations of OSHA standards specific to certain conditions where the language of the rule supports a citation for each instance of non-compliance. These conditions include respiratory protection, falls, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, permit-required confined space, trenching and for cases with other-than-serious violations specific to recordkeeping. The purpose of this change is to ensure that OSHA personnel are applying increased citations when needed to discourage non-compliance.
2. OSHA has issued a reminder to its regional administrators and area directors of their authority not to group violations, and instead cite them separately in order to “more effectively encourage employers to comply with the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.”

OSHA’s new guidance covers enforcement activity in the general industry, agriculture, maritime, and construction industries, and is currently set to become effective March 27. For establishments covered by the OSHA Electronic Reporting of Injuries and Illnesses requirement, information should also be submitted to OSHA electronically by March 2. To review the requirements or to check if you are covered, visit the OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) .

Looking Ahead

It remains vital to regularly check to stay abreast of regulatory updates and remain in compliance. Employers are also encouraged to organize routine companywide training, review OSHA recordkeeping practices, perform regular audits, and keep proper documentation of all training, violations, and safety-related disciplinary actions to optimize operations and stay on top of industry changes.

������������ܰ���’s authorized OSHA outreach trainers conduct on-site classes for supervisors and key subcontractors, including safety and health principles to help meet OSHA requirements. To learn more, visit our Risk Management page.

Innovative Solutions
When utilizing technology vendors such as , a video of a worker performing their task is uploaded into the analytics platform. Using motion-capture artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the risks associated with the task are captured in the video and calculated. TuMeke’s platform then provides an in-depth analysis that includes risk scores and videos with color-changing elements to depict risk severity and further analysis of the associated risk.

������������ܰ���’s risk management team recently leveraged its partnership with TuMeke Ergonomics to document the need for a policyholder safety grant through the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant Program. As a result, , a global leader in the aluminum extrusion industry located in Belding, Michigan, will receive state funds to improve workplace safety.

Analysis & Safety Grant
The safety grant came to fruition when discussing ergonomic risks during a safety committee meeting with Granco Clark.

“When ������������ܰ���’s risk management consultants recommended the concept of leveraging TuMeke Ergonomics to validate the need for a safety grant, the company was immediately elated by the idea,” said Eric Austin, 91������ risk management expertise specialist. “Together, Granco Clark and our risk management experts conducted an analysis of the areas of work in need of additional safety measures for the grant application process.”

The production role that was analyzed at Granco Clark’s jobsite occurs when the employees manually lift metal components weighing as much as 50 pounds and assemble them onto a large machine that contains as many as 2,000 parts. , manual lifting accounts for a significant amount of human suffering, productivity loss, and economic burden each year.

Following the assessment and application, a grant was approved for the purchase and installation of a jib hoist — a crane with a horizontal arm known as the jib or boom — at Granco Clark. The jib hoist lifts the parts and swivels to move them from workstation to workstation, and then holds them in place for assembly.
The state of Michigan will cover approximately half the cost of the jib hoist for Granco Clark.

Ergonomic Safety Programs
The assessment and measurement of ergonomic risks can help reduce injuries and control workplace losses. Coordinated through ������������ܰ���’s highly trained risk management consultants, policyholders have access to a pre-paid program and collaborative solutions to improve worker safety.

Real-Life Loss Scenario 
A recent policyholder loss involved a forklift rollover where the operator was on a flat surface with no load. The individual suffered fatal injuries when their head and neck area were crushed by the cage of the forklift. The operator was not wearing their seatbelt when the accident occurred. Wearing a seatbelt may have minimized the extent of driver injuries, including saving his or her life.

Forklift Safety Measures
Prior to driving a forklift, all operators must be properly trained on effective safety measures. When building a forklift safety program, training should include the basics of lift truck stability, including basic principles for picking up a load; factors impacting the stability and center of gravity for a forklift, such as the size, weight and shape and forward or backward tilt; assessing the condition and grade of surfaces on which the lift truck is operated; and understanding capacity and weight versus forklift load centers.

Do’s and Don’ts of Forklift Safety 

• DO Fasten the Seat Belt
• DO Watch For “Tail Swing”
• DO Be Aware of the Forklift’s Stability
• DO Check Surface Strengths
• DO Use Caution When Crossing Slopes
• DO Reduce Speed on Rough Surfaces
• DO Avoid Off-Center Loading
• DO Avoid Slippery Surfaces
• DO Wear a Hard Hat (if recommended or required by employer or regulations)
• DO Avoid Fast Starts/Turns, Sudden Stops
• DO NOT Pick Up or Place a Load on Grades
• DO NOT Run Over Objects
• DO NOT Overload the Forklift

If a Forklift Begins to Tip Over:

• Do not jump off the forklift
• Firmly hold onto the steering wheel
• Brace your feet
• Lean away from impact

For More Information, Visit:

Contact your 91������ Risk Management Consultant to build your forklift safety training program.

The named construction hazards range in subject matter but have many overarching themes. By becoming aware of the most frequent hazards and their causes, business owners in the construction industry can take proactive measures to make their workplaces safer in 2022 and beyond.

1. Fall Protection – Strength and Structural Integrity (4,279 citations)
   Once again ranked the top hazard, , this category includes dangers related to unprotected sides and edges, hoist areas, surface holes, ramps and walkways, and more.
2. Ladders (1,602 citations)
   Notably, ladder injuries which includes both job-made and portable ladders and their rungs, cleats and steps – moved up in the hazard ranking over 2020.
3. Scaffold Requirements (1,468 citations)
   This ranking includes direct connections to roofs and floors, suspension ropes, design safety, platforms, and more. Note, aerial lifts are excluded from this scaffold category; see #8 below.
4. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1,356 citations)
   Fall protection training can be enhanced and reinforced with memorable content experienced in a safe virtual reality setting, with courses including fall prevention and ladder safety.
5. Personal Protective and Life-Saving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1,209 citations)
   Workplace eye injuries cost approximately $300 million annually in lost productivity, medical services and workers’ compensation claims, according to OSHA.
6. Personal Protective and Life-Saving Equipment – Head Protection (651 citations)This category is related to employers’ responsibility to ensure that workers at risk of a head injury from impact, falling/flying objects, electrical shock or burns have proper head protection.

7. General Safety and Health Provisions (648 citations)
   Conditions that are deemed unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employee health make this a top hazard. This includes tools and machinery that are not in compliance, according to OSHA.
8. Scaffolds – Aerial Lifts (436 citations)
   Aerial lifts in OSHA’s list include vehicle-mounted aerial devices used to elevate personnel to jobsites above ground: boom platforms, aerial ladders, vertical towers, and aerial equipment.
9. Excavation Requirements (391 citations)
   This category refers to safety requirements within specific excavation regulations, including surface encumbrances and underground installations, to help safeguard employees.
10. Fall Protection – Systems Criteria and Practices (343 citations)
    As another top item related to fall protection, this criterion refers to systems required for employees, including guardrail systems, edge-of-height rails, mesh and screens, and more.

Learn more about notable construction hazards:

1.�� Slips, trips and falls.  This category is one of the leading causes of injury and death among all American workers. Anyone working on a high platform, raised piece of equipment or ladder can become a victim without the proper training and/or protective equipment. The potential for harm is so great that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) administers a Fall Prevention Campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers about ways to avoid falls. From pre-planning before the job begins, to providing the right equipment and training to employees, OSHA believes that 100 percent of falls are avoidable. For details on this program, click .

2.  Using heavy machinery. It’s important to have proper machine guards installed on operator-controlled equipment. It’s equally important to make sure your employees are trained on how to use the equipment with the guards in place. Many accidents have been caused by employees disabling or reconfiguring guards to “speed up” operations, so managing the scheduling of production is also a critical safety element for workers using this machinery. Click for an OSHA overview on machine guarding safety.

3.�� Lockout/tagout procedures. Imagine you are servicing a complex piece of equipment when it suddenly turns on. You could be electrocuted, crushed or worse. Having approved lockout/tagout procedures in place will help safeguard workers from hazardous energy releases.  Another way to prevent these accidents is to provide a lockout/tagout safety checklist that employees can use before they start the equipment. For detailed information on OSHA requirements, click .

4.�� Powered industrial trucks. This equipment is used across many manufacturing facilities and improper use is usually the reason for an accident. That’s why OSHA requires workers using forklifts, motorized hand trucks, platform lift trucks and the like to be certified for their use. The OSHA standard for this requirement can be found . Employers are responsible for developing the training and certification process that meets this standard as well as to maintain the record for each employee for a period of three years.

5.�� Staffing. Manufacturers need to maintain their employment levels at a time when they are experiencing turnover and a general reluctance of potential employees to consider manufacturing as a career. Employees with less than six months on the job are the employees most likely to be injured. Concurrently, more tenured employees have limited time to mentor the newcomers. Add in overtime and 24/7 operations and fatigue becomes another major contributor to serious accidents and fatalities. As a result, planning to maintain consistent staffing levels that meet production requirements is a critical success and safety factor.

Who Sets the Codes and Standards for Electrical Safety?
There are multiple sets of industry codes and standards developed by both government and safety constituencies. They include the following:

National Electric Code (NFPA 70) and NFPA 70E
The National Electric Code (NEC), has been adopted by all but three states (AZ, MO and MS) as of July 2020 and is formally revised every three years. This standard sets the minimum requirements for safe electrical wiring and equipment installations and was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

NFPA 70E is the standard for electrical installations in the workplace. This standard covers all aspects of electric installations that could impact employee safety and is administered by NFPA.

Think about how the use of electricity has changed since the NEC was initially drafted in 1897.  Home and business use of electricity has grown exponentially, which has resulted in increased injuries and deaths.

By studying these accidents, government agencies and testing labs develop data on emerging safety issues. Then, third parties develop potential solutions to address these risks, which in turn are validated for efficacy by testing labs. Once the new technology or other solutions are validated, NFPA develops new proposed code as part of the revision process, which in turn must be accepted by participating states. Examples include the addition of Tamper Resistant Receptacles, Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters into the standards, all of which have reduced the risks associated with working with electricity.

While these standards are not enforceable as laws, most states have adopted them and the “authority having jurisdiction” inspects for compliance.

Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
OSHA developed broad guidelines for electrical safety under two areas: General Industry and Construction. The government’s standards are also based on the NEC, as well as NFPA 70E.  This integration also means that OSHA is an additional entity that can ensure compliance with the standards.

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
This international organization developed a standard in 2002 for performing arc flash hazard calculations and defines the practice for performing detailed arc flash calculations. Although not mandated by NFPA 70E as the required calculation process, this standard has become the accepted industry practice and helps determine the appropriate personal protective equipment needed for the application.

How Does Your Electrical Safety Program Stack Up?
With so many evolving industry standards, you may wonder how well your electrical safety program complies. And, it never hurts to step back and see if your program is covering the areas of most exposure to your employees.

The good news is that the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has you covered.  They provide an online organizational self-assessment to help you evaluate how well your safety program fares against the various standards and industry best practices.  The assessment will walk you through questions covering the following:

• Facilities.
• Personnel.
• Procedures.

You can access the assessment .

Following the assessment, you can access any of the many safety tools, videos, and programs that the organization makes available at their website. Which brings us full circle: know the electrical safety standards; assess your program against the standards; revise as appropriate.

With that in mind, it can still be challenging to change a corporate culture and use shared beliefs to reduce the number of hazards and shape a risk management plan. It requires a collaborative effort from all members of the business, especially those at the top. However, once accomplished, a company that works together safely can be much more efficient on the job.

Use training to help employees understand
The first step on the path to transforming company culture is education. Many businesses turn to training programs and coaching to complete this. Training often targets a large group of people, sometimes even the entire workplace at once. On the other hand, coaching provides a more personal experience, where two people can sit down and discuss issues together. Both can be helpful in developing a new safety culture.

In addition, the company should try replacing older experiences, such as those that shaped the previous culture – with new ones. This more hands-on approach is recommended for changing business composition. Once employees understand the new direction of the company, they can be given the tools to make it happen. For example, it may be beneficial to offer workshops, form committees and create new positions to support goals. All of these steps can give workers something to strive for, as well as a fresh perspective on the company’s culture.

Keep an eye on safety
The goal of changing the company’s culture is to make sure overarching themes and beliefs are in sync throughout the business. Getting everyone on the same page can have the added bonus of improving safety and reducing workers’ compensation insurance costs.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), culture has been shown to directly limit the amount of accidents and injuries in the workplace.

To start, employees should understand what a safety culture entails, such as:

• Shared beliefs
• Common practices
• Positive attitudes
• General atmosphere

Ideally, these elements of a safety culture will allow everyone in the company to take responsibility for the security of the workplace. This goes beyond the average requirements and duties. Instead, workers should be willing to make changes on their own, and be proactive with hazards and other threats that could jeopardize the safety of fellow colleagues.

However, building this type of environment takes some time, and it is up to management to get the process started. In order to begin, leadership must determine the safety responsibilities of each worker. Then, they can ensure the goals for every employee are in line — from the top all the way to the bottom. To further this mission, it can also be smart to offer incentives for safe work and institute disciplinary measures for actions that go against policy. A safety committee comprised of managers and employees can help make sure incentives and disciplinary actions are acceptable by all standards.

Utilizing the resources of your insurance carrier can also be helpful as companies look to transition culture. Your local 91������ risk management consultant can help with all stages of your safety culture journey. Talk to an 91������ agency today, or contact riskmanagement@amerisure.com.