Risk Factors

September is National Preparedness Month - - Are you ready?

As Hurricane Earl is gaining speed off the eastern seaboard, have you thought about whether or not you would be prepared if a disaster struck today?  What would you do?  What supplies do you have ready?  In an effort to help individuals and businesses prepare for the unknown September is National Preparedness Month. 

The U.S. Government/FEMA has developed the Ready Campaign to encourage Americans to work together to take concrete actions toward emergency preparedness.  The Ready Campaign is a national public service advertising campaign developed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, such as natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.  The Campaign's websites (www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov) are available in both English and Spanish.  The sites are designed to provide free emergency preparedness information, such as an Emergency Supply Kit Checklist, information on how to keep food safe, how to make a Plan, and down-loadable Plan information. 

The Centers for Disease Control (The CDC) also has an Emergency Preparedness website (http://emergency.cdc.gov/) that provides a wide variety of information aimed at specific types of emergencies, such as hurricanes, bio-terrorism, mass casualties, etc. 

I'd like to hear from you - How have you prepared your family or business for a possible disaster? Have you found other helpful resources you'd like to share? Leave a comment below!

 

Lisa Mundt is a Senior Risk Control Representative for Westfield Insurance.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases New Hot Work Safety Video

 

On June 7, 2010 the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a new 14 minute safety video warning of the hazards associated with welding and other hot work activities when performed in and near storage tanks containing flammable materials.

The video uses 3-D images to reconstruct actual accidents and shows why a hot work permit system is important.  It also emphasizes the importance of gas detectors and how gas detectors should be properly used.

The video is a great training tool and can be viewed on-line, downloaded or you may request a free DVD of the video directly from the CSB. 

Here is a link to view the video on the CSB's website:

http://www.csb.gov/videoroom/detail.aspx?vid=44&F=0&CID=1&pg=1&F_All=y

Here is the link to request a free DVD of the video:

http://www.csb.gov/videoroom/videorequest.aspx

Fire Pump Preventative Maintenance

The Challenge

Fire pumps are at the heart of fire sprinkler systems because they provide the necessary water that a sprinkler system requires. Due to the increased use of petroleum-based products (i.e. plastics/polymers), denser storage configurations (e.g. multiple-row racks), and higher storage-, a greater percentage of industrial/commercial sprinkler systems are hydraulically more dense in order to control or even suppress a fire. In layman’s terms- pipes are larger, sprinkler orifices (openings) are larger, etc., and a water supply system must deliver higher volume and pressure to meet the hydraulic demands of these sprinkler systems.

Many municipal water supplies were designed/installed decades ago when such high demand was not required, and water demand of the town/community has increased over the years with supply systems not keeping up. Most “domestic” requirements also do not need high water pressures as sprinkler systems require, so municipal systems simply are not configured to provide the kind of pressures sprinkler systems require. There are also other reasons to keep water pressures in check- higher pressures require greater preventative maintenance costs, there are safety concerns, etc. Of course we’re assuming there is a public water supply- there may not be one. There may be a water tank that the fire pump draws from, in which case there would be no water at all if the pump failed (at least with a municipal supply there is some water provided to the sprinkler system, even if the pump fails).

 

The Problem

Because of the reliance on an adequate water supply, fire pumps must be dependable. They must operate when called upon to do so. The fact is- many fire pumps fail to operate either adequately or even at all. This failure almost always is a result of poor or even non-existent preventative maintenance. Sometimes it’s helpful to use a simple comparison. Most people who will read this blog have workplaces that they must commute to in a timely manner. Imagine your regular vehicle is unavailable, and you must use another vehicle that has been parked for months or even years without being started. Would that vehicle start if it had not been run or maintained? It may or may not. This is the same with fire pumps. Fire pumps have water in the pipes. There is an internal impeller. Water has sand/muck/rust/stones and whatever else in it (yes- municipal water does also). Parts that are not “exercised” (run) freeze/slow for various reasons. Motors or diesel engines need maintenance; batteries need attention, etc. if we are to have confidence that a pump will start and operate as it was designed to.

Well, we could go on, but I think the point is made that without recommended preventative maintenance, there is a greater risk that the “heart” of the sprinkler system will not pump.

 

The Solution

Preventative maintenance. The following is a brief bullet summary of the inspection and preventative maintenance activities that should take place in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is detailed in their standard #25- Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.  This should not be confused with NFPA 20 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, which does not cover preventative maintenance (some time ago NFPA consolidated all preventative maintenance into NFPA 25).  These points are only the critical/major inspection/testing points - NFPA 25 should be consulted for a full chart of inspection/testing requirements. It should also be noted that testing should be performed by a trained staff member, and the preventative maintenance by certified/licensed professionals. The control panels contain high voltage, so professionals with appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. flash suits) should perform the work.

It should also be noted that before completing any testing of the fire pump, notify all parties whom might respond to an alarm (central station, fire department, security personnel, etc.).

 

Testing:

v   All fire pumps should be tested for automatic starting by either opening the test valve on the small brass piping coming from the fire pump piping to the power controller (usually labeled) or flowing water from main drain test at a sprinkler riser inch drain or at the inspector's test connection to start the pump.

v   Electric motor pumps should be started on a weekly basis. The pump should be run through its preset timer for ten (10) minutes.

v   Internal combustion engines (almost always diesel) should also be started on a weekly basis. The pump should be run thirty (30) minutes to bring the engine up to full speed, pressure, and temperature.

 

The following should be checked on all pump systems (electric & diesel):

Ø    Record system suction and discharge pressure gauge readings

Ø    Check pump packing glands for slight discharge

Ø    Adjust gland nuts if necessary

Ø    Check for unusual noise or vibration

Ø    Check packing boxes, bearings, or pump casing for overheating Record pump starting pressure

Ø    Observe time for motor to accelerate to full speed

Ø    Record time controller is on first step (for reduced voltage or reduced current starting)

Ø    Record time pump runs after starting (for automatic stop controllers)

 

The following are specific checks for diesel pumps:

Ø    Observe time for engine to crank

Ø    Observe time for engine to reach running speed

Ø    Observe engine oil pressure gauge, speed indicator, water, and oil temperature indicators periodically while engine is running

Ø    Record any abnormalities

Ø    Check heat exchanger for cooling water flow

 

Annual Testing:

Every year the pump should be tested at full operation. There is usually a “test header” pipe assembly with a pipe leading through the wall to an outside test header that has several valves to connect hoses to (I say “usually” because some systems use a bypass flow meter, which is allowed under certain conditions). The pump is operated at “churn” (zero flow), 100% of required capacity, and 150% of required capacity.  Fire protection specialists whom are competent/trained and have the correct equipment should perform this test. It is also critical that NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® be complied with (PPE, etc.).

This test is critical as it will show whether the pump performance is still adequate or whether it has deteriorated at all (in which case NFPA spells out how much deterioration is allowed before the pump must be overhauled).

 

 

Inspections

 

Weekly inspections should be conducted of the following:

v   Pump house/room: Heat not less than 40°F or 70°F for pump room with diesel pumps without engine heaters

v   Ventilating louvers free to operate

v   Housekeeping- no combustible storage

 

Pump assembly inspection:

v   valves fully open (accept for the test header)

v   piping leaks

v   Line pressure gauges

v   Suction reservoir

 

Control panel:

v   Controller “power on” light illuminated

v   Transfer switch normal light illuminated

v   Isolating switch closed - standby (emergency) source

v   Reverse phase alarm pilot light off (or normal phase rotation pilot light on)

v   Oil level in vertical motor sight glass

 

Diesel Engine:

v   Fuel tank two-thirds full

v   Controller selector switch in AUTO position

v   Batteries (should be two operational batteries) Normal readings for voltage, charging, current, and failure lights off.

v   battery terminals free from corrosion

v   All alarm lights off

v   Engine running time meter reading

v   Oil level in right angle gear drive normal

v   Crankcase oil level normal

v   Cooling water level normal

v   Electrolyte level in batteries normal

v   Battery terminals free from corrosion

v   Water-jacket heater operating

 

Conclusion

It is difficult to condense the full inspection & testing requirements of fire pumps into a blog, so the intention here was to provide a starting point and more importantly an understanding that if your building sprinkler system has a fire pump as part of the system- it requires preventative maintenance just like your vehicle does! You may contact Westfield Group Risk Control, whom can provide you with more detailed information.

Premises Liability Incidents - Precautionary Measures for Insureds

From a General Liability standpoint, premises liability incidents are probably the trigger for most claims and suits against a business.  A premises owner can eliminate these claims from taking place or reduce the value of a claim if precautionary measures are taken.  Regardless of the business you are in, the following steps may reduce your exposure to the allegation of negligence on the part of your employees and company.

 

§ Have written procedures in place that address your inspection of the premises on a regular schedule.  In addition, have procedures that address the clean-up actions your employees are to implement when a hazard is identified.

§ If there is an accident, take pictures of the scene and the item or object that was alleged to have caused the fall.  Pictures of a clean floor with no defects or foreign objects can be extremely valuable in determining liability or the lack of liability on your part.

§ If an accident takes place, make sure that a though incident report is completed and sent to your insurance company in a timely fashion.  Capture sufficient information so that a claims professional can have a basic understanding of the facts before they start their investigation. 

§ If the weather is bad and you expect foot traffic in your store, consider assigning one employee monitor the entry of your premises to keep it as clean and safe as possible.

§ Make sure you have “Wet Floor” signs available throughout your premises where a spill may occur or where the floor may be slippery during bad weather (rain or snow).

 

By considering some of these precautionary measures and having a written program for your employees to follow, you may reduce the number of incidents that occur.  In addition, if a fall takes place, you will have a better opportunity to successfully defend any action against your company for negligence.

 

About the Author:This blog post is authored by guest author Dan Cieslak, a Claims Services Consultant for Westfield Insurance. Dan is based out of our Lake Mary FL service office but his territory is basically the footprint of Westfield. He oversees some of the largest accounts Westfield has. Dan has 35 years of claim experience primarily in the Mid Market and Special Risk arena. His professional designations include a Senior Claims Law Associate from the American Educational Institute.

Next Step in the Rollout of the CSA 2010

Effective August 16, 2010 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) made the Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) availialble for review by commercial motor carriers. The Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Catagory is based on roadside data and investigation results. 

The BASIC assements are presently only availalbe for review by the commercial motor carriers and FMCSA enforcement staff.   In December of 2010 the BASIC assessment information will be available to the public. 

In the future the BASIC assessment will be used to prioritize inspections by the FMCSA enforcement staff. Reviewing the BASIC assessment provides commercial motor carriers an opportunity to imrprove their compliance.

As a commercial carrier you should review the new Safety Measurement System (SMS) and their BASIC assessment information.  Reviewing the BASIC assessment data will provide the carrier a change to address unsafe behaviors and improve their results.  

The BASIC assessment is based on the following seven safety behaviors.

1. Unsafe Driving
2. Fatique
3. Driver Fitness
4. Drug and Alcohol
5. Vehicle Maintenance
6. Load / Cargo Securement
7. Crash History

If you are a commercial motor carrier you can access your individual assessment at the following website https://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fDataPreview%2fDefault.aspx

Additional information regarding the FMSCA Safety Measurement System and your responsibility as a commercial motor carrier can be obtained through the following websites.

http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/Documents/Data_Preview_Guidance.pdf

http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/Documents/SMS_Changes_Explanation.pdf

http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov

Working with a Risk Control Consultant - Part 2

Part 2 

 

This is Part 2 of a two-part series on working with a risk control consultant authored by guest blogger and Westfield agent Craig Hassinger of Seibert Keck. 

 

Craig Hassinger is president of SeibertKeck Insurance, an independent agency specializing in both malpractice and property/casualty insurance. Craig has served as both a producer and chief operating officer, working with SeibertKeck employees to achieve double-digit revenue growth through a number of measures including streamlining business processes to improve products and customer service. Craig is active in a variety of organizations including the Professional Insurance Agents Association, Independent Insurance Agents Association, Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Medina County, United Way and Akron Children’s Hospital. Craig and his wife Suzie reside in Wadsworth with their two children, Haley and Nick.

 

 

Risk Control Consultants: What to Expect in the Assessment Process

  

Once a qualified risk control consultant has been selected and losses have been assessed, the agent and risk control consultant work with the client’s management team to determine actions to be taken.

 

Elements of Operations Control

 

To do this, the agent and the risk control representative first look at how the business’s management team controls operations. There are certain elements of control exercised in any organization:

 

· Deciding on and establishing policy and objectives.

· Clearly communicating policy and objectives to all concerned.

· Identifying actions required to carry out the policy and objectives.

· Establishing a system to record results.

· Building the results into the supervisory evaluations.

 

Integrating Risk Control With Operations Control

 

Working hand-in-hand with the risk control consultant, the agent and management team builds elements of risk control into elements of operations control in order to:

 

· Decide on and establish policy

A written management statement of policy on loss control will be provided to line supervisors explaining management’s concerns, objectives, etc.

 

· Clearly communicate the policy and objectives to all concerned

A face-to-face meeting by top management with line supervisors is encouraged, reinforcing the policy statement and clearly communicating the program so that it is understood and accepted.

 

· Identify actions required to carry out the policy

Details such as loss investigations, self-inspections, monthly reports of actions taken, reinforcement of job rules, etc., need to be included.

 

· Establish a system to record results

Keeping track of results is essential. Facts such as number and/or costs of losses by supervisor or department, and including accident costs in department profit and loss measurements, help determine success.

 

· Build the results into supervisory evaluations

Making the results of the appraisals affect the supervisor’s income – either positively or negatively (e.g. a 10% percent reduction in losses = a 5% pay raise) – is a very effective way to increase success.

 

Once all areas of risk control are in place, continuous feedback from the business’ top management team is key to loss control accountability from the entire team involved.

 

What successes can you share from working with a risk control consultant? What actions do you take to make your team accountable for loss control?

 

Learn more about Westfield’s risk control services, or evaluate your business’s risk now using the Risk Control Assessment.

 

Craig Hassinger is president of Seibert Keck Insurance in Akron, OH.

 

View Part 1 of this two-part series on working with a risk control consultant: Risk Control Consultants: What to Look For.

 

 

Working with a Risk Control Consultant

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on working with a risk control consultant authored by guest blogger and Westfield agent Craig Hassinger of Seibert Keck.

 

Craig Hassinger is president of SeibertKeck Insurance, an independent agency specializing in both malpractice and property/casualty insurance. Craig has served as both a producer and chief operating officer, working with SeibertKeck employees to achieve double-digit revenue growth through a number of measures including streamlining business processes to improve products and customer service. Craig is active in a variety of organizations including the Professional Insurance Agents Association, Independent Insurance Agents Association, Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Medina County, United Way and Akron Children’s Hospital. Craig and his wife Suzie reside in Wadsworth with their two children, Haley and Nick.

Risk Control Consultants:  What to look for

Businesses today are exposed to many on- and off-site risks; some may be aware of their potential losses, while many are not. That’s where a risk control consultant steps in.

It is important for business insurance customers to take part in a risk control program to proactively identify potential losses and determine solutions to reduce losses before they occur. A qualified risk control consultant can work in conjunction with an agent to help a business owner assess his risk, and determine services needed to reduce risks.

 

Five Important Qualities and Skills of a Risk Control Consultant

1. The ability to discuss all activities with the proper person at the client’s locations, while keeping the insurance agent up-to-date on all activities.

2. The ability to collect and use facts to prove the need for the service. The right consultant compiles adequate facts to demonstrate that the problem identified is a serious risk to the customer’s operations.

3. The ability to explain how the recommendations and/or service will improve operations (i.e. smoother running operation, increased profit/production, decreased costs, etc.). Reduction of accidents alone is not a persuasive argument.

4. The ability to demonstrate leadership, and give guidance when providing direction as to who is to perform the recommended actions, how they should be accomplished, in what timeline, etc.

5. The ability to provide management with feedback on the status of the program, the recommendations and the service plans.

Most importantly, the consultant must be able to tie the recommended services to the bottom-line improvements and return on investment for the client. It is important to identify the client’s service expectations upfront, and work toward a bottom line improvement for the client.  

What qualities do you think are essential for a risk control consultant working with your agent?

Learn more about Westfield’s risk control services, or evaluate your business’s risk now using the Risk Control Assessment.

 

Stop by the Westfield Risk Factors Blog on August 06, 2010 for Part 2 of the risk control consultant series, “What to Expect in the Assessment Process.”

 

Craig Hassinger is president of Seibert Keck Insurance in Akron, OH.

 

New OSHA Construction Safety Standard - Cranes and Derricks

If you haven't heard, on July 28, 2010, OSHA's updated construction standard on Cranes and Derricks went into effect.  According to OSHA QuickTakes, the updated standard will effect approximately 267,000 businesses with 4.8M employees.  The previous rule was based on 40-year-old standards, and the update was prompted due to a significant number of fatalities associated with this equipment.

Go to http://www.osha.gov/doc/cranesreg.pdf to view the new standard in regulatory text.  You can also find a fact sheet on OSHA's final rule web link. 

Suzanne Coleman is a senior risk control representative for Westfield Insurance.   Connect with Suzanne at SuzanneColeman@westfieldgrp.com .

Electrical Outlets in Wet Locations

Many farm and business enterprises utilize equipment that is served by a cord and plug type electrical connection. Examples include temporary lighting, feed augers, or water pumps for animal confinement cooling cells. The electrical outlets that serve this equipment are often in wet locations and/or subject to the elements. Installation of a standard unprotected outlet can result in corrosion of electrical components which could lead to a fire. National Electrical Code [Article 406.8 (B)] specifies that outlets installed in wet locations shall have a weatherproof enclosure. The attached photo illustrates a wet locations outlet box.  Also attached is the National Electrical Code reference.

  

National Electrical Code [Article 406.8 (B)]

B) Wet Locations.

(1) 15- and 20-Ampere Receptacles in a Wet Location.

15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted. All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking receptacles shall be listed weather-resistant type.

FPN: The types of receptacles covered by this requirement are identified as 5-15, 5-20, 6-15, and 6-20 in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National Electrical Manufacturers Association Standard for Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles.]

Exception: 15- and 20-ampere, 125- through 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location and subject to routine high-pressure spray washing shall be permitted to have an enclosure that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.

 

(2) Other Receptacles. All other receptacles installed in a wet location shall comply with (B)(2)(a) or (B)(2)(b). (a) A receptacle installed in a wet location, where the product intended to be plugged into it is not attended while in use, shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof with the attachment plug cap inserted or removed. (b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the product intended to be plugged into it will be attended while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.

 

New Pre-Employment Screening Program for Commercial Motor Carriers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiated a new Pre - Employeyment Screening Program (PSP) effective May 11, 2010. This program will allow commercial motor carriers to access commercial driver inspection and crash records as part of the driver hiring process.

Announced by Anne S. Ferro, FMCSA Administrator, on May 11, 2010, "Starting today, commercial carriers will have an essential tool for making informed hiring decisions that will lead to safer drivers on our roads.  The Pre - Employment Screening Program raises the safety bar for the motor carrier industry and helps to make our roads safer for everyone. 

The PSP will offer access to five years of driver crash data and three years of inspection data. Drivers will have the opportunity to review the data in their driving history and change any discrepancies.  The driver's records will be updated monthly by FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). The driver's records will be protected in accordance with federal privacy laws.

For additional information and access to the Pre - Employment Screening Program please refer to the following websites.

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov