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The Status of OSHA’s Heat Hazard Protection Standard

A heat hazard protection standard from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) continues to be in the pre-rule stage and is still under consideration. View a PDF update. 

Workers most commonly affected by heat-related illnesses are:
• Postal and delivery services
• Landscaping
• Commercial building
• Highway, street and bridge construction workers

Workers who most commonly suffer heat-related fatalities were:
• Landscaping
• Masonry
• Highway, street and bridge construction workers

On Oct. 27, 2021, OSHA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to officially start the process of creating a mandatory heat hazard protection standard. Currently, OSHA has only a recommended, not required, workplace heat standard. However, many states have their own heat exposure standard as part of their OSHA-approved state plans.

Maine’s state plan covers state and local government workers only. Click here for a map showing all state plans. 

The Status of OSHA’s Heat Hazard Protection Standard 3.31.22_001
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Building Partnerships for Workplace Safety

Safety in the workplace starts with good information, translated into good practice. Recently the management staff at the Belfast Co-Op  joined Sally Miles of Allen Insurance and Financial and Maureen Anderson, an ergonomist from MEMIC, the workers’ compensation insurance company, for a safety workshop designed especially for the Co-op workplace.

They discussed sitting, standing, lifting, carrying, material handling and posture.  The main theme was the  “Power Zone,” which is close to the body, between mid-thigh and mid-chest height − where the arms and back can lift the most with the least amount of effort and with a lower risk of injury.

“Preventative measures such as regular safety meetings can make a real difference for our workers in the long run,”  said Doug Johnson, co-op general manager.  “We’re pleased Allen Insurance and MEMIC took the time to introduce us to this valuable resource.”

Group of three people
From Left: Sally Miles of Allen Insurance; Doug Johnson, general manager of the Belfast Co-op, and Maureen Anderson, ergonomist from MEMIC.
ergonomic training at Belfast Co-op
ergonomic training at Belfast Co-op
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Why Do You Need Cyber Insurance?

Karen Reed

By Karen Reed
This is another in our series of blog posts for business owners.

WHAT IS CYBER INSURANCE?

A cyber insurance policy can help protect your business from the fallout from cyberattacks and hacking threats. Having a cyber insurance policy can help minimize business disruption during and after a cyber incident, as well as potentially covering the financial cost of some elements of dealing with the attack and your recovery from it.

WHO NEEDS CYBER INSURANCE?

If your business stores any form of digital data, you need cyber insurance. These days, this is nearly every business.

WHAT SORT OF ATTACKS RESULT IN CYBER INSURANCE CLAIMS?

Cyber insurance claims can be triggered by many different incidents. Most common are ransomware, fund-transfer fraud attacks and business email compromise scams.

HOW MUCH DOES CYBER INSURANCE COST?

The cost of a cyber insurance policy depends on a number of different factors including the size of your business and its annual revenue. Other factors can include the industry in which you operate, the type of data your business typically deals with and the overall security of your computer network.

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Business Income Insurance – What It Is and Why You Need It

Sally Miles, Allen Insurance and Financial

By Sally Miles

If your business has to stop operations unexpectedly, there would be loss of business income. There is a type of insurance coverage which can help a business owner meet payroll and other operating expenses and replace actual loss of net income during the time required to repair or replace the damaged property after a loss.

There are a few important things to know about business income coverage:

  • Business income is defined as net profit or loss before income taxes that would have been earned or incurred if no physical loss had occurred.
  • This coverage is triggered by direct physical loss or damage to your property due to a covered loss AND a partial or full suspension of operations.
  • Business Income coverage can be programmed to fit the needs of a specific business.

We recommend asking your insurance agent to help you determine whether  business income coverage is essential for your operation. It could mean the difference between reopening after a covered loss  or closing your doors for good.

 

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Employee or Independent Contractor? It Makes a Difference!

By Sally Miles

Have you ever thought about the difference between an employee and independent contractor?

The answer can be found through a series of questions created by the Maine Department of Labor. 

Paying someone using a 1099 not does automatically make them an independent contractor.

The facts of the relationship between the business and individual conducting work determine whether you have an employee or independent contractor.

When it comes to insurance, this distinction is important because a business’s payroll (the people who are true employees and not independent contractors) will impact both their workers compensation insurance and general liability insurance policies, in terms of both cost and risk exposure.

When you have questions, Ask Allen. We’re here to help.

Sally Miles, Allen Insurance and Financial
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Why Contractors Should Consider Errors & Omissions Coverage

Krissy Campbell

By Krissy Campbell, CIC , ACSR 

Contractors face several potential hazards in today’s competitive and litigious society; customers are sometimes quick to allege negligence in a contractor’s work.

Contractors Errors & Omissions insurance, also referred to as E&O insurance, provides coverage for things such as damages arising out of unintentional faulty workmanship, installed products, recall of their work and impaired or defective property.

Questions about contractors E&O insurance? Ask Allen. We’re here to help.

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Why You Need Employment Practices Liability Insurance

From Karen Reed:

Karen Reed

Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) provides coverage to employers against claims made by employees alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, or other employment-related issues such as failure to promote.

All businesses, regardless of size are vulnerable to employment claims regardless of the number of employees and statistics tell us the average cost for legal defense and compensation for this type of claim can quickly add up to $70,000.

Protect your business by calling us today to obtain a quote for this very important coverage.

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Tool Coverage 101

By Patrick Chamberlin

Contractors rely on their tools and equipment to get the job done. To protect these tools from theft or vandalism, there’s Tools and Equipment Coverage.

Tools and equipment insurance can cover both large equipment and small hand tools.

Most commercial property policies cover buildings and personal property at your premises or within a short distance. Tools and Equipment coverage is designed to cover movable property wherever it may be located.

Smaller items, generally with a value of less than $1,000 can be covered on a blanket basis. You’ll want to list higher-value items (generators, heavy equipment such as excavators) individually. It’s also important to keep an inventory (with photos, if possible) and proof of purchase.

As always, there are some exceptions and limits to this type of coverage. Your insurance agent can explain more.

Patrick Chamberlin, CIC
Patrick Chamberlin, CIC
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Commercial Auto 101

Sally Miles, Allen Insurance and Financial

By Sally Miles 

A commercial auto policy protects a business against losses incurred through the ownership, maintenance, or use of motor vehicles.

Most businesses need this kind of coverage because whether you drive a vehicle dedicated for business use or drive a personal vehicle for business because your vehicle may not be covered under a personal auto policy.

Commercial auto, as it is called, covers a variety of situations and policies can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a business. Coverage is available for a single vehicle or a fleet of vehicles; there is coverage for trailers or other mobile equipment, and there is coverage for drivers who work for your business.

Each business has its own set of unique exposures.  Consult your agent to ensure your commercial auto policy is programmed to meet your needs.

Sally Miles works with business across Maine for all their insurance needs. 

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Construction Bonds 101

Krissy Campbell

By Kristina Campbell

A construction bond, also known as a surety bond, protects a project owner if a contractor fails to complete a job, doesn’t pay for permits or fails to meet other financial obligations such as paying for supplies or subcontractors.

Surety bonds are important, and quite common, in the construction industry. They typically come in three types:

  • A Bid Bond is issued to the project owner to provide a guarantee that the winning bidder will honor the contract under the terms at which they bid.
  • A Performance Bond guarantees that the contractor will perform the services as described in the contract. A bid bond is replaced by a performance bond when a bid is accepted and the contractor proceeds to work on the project.
  • A Payment Bond guarantees that a construction company will pay its laborers (employees and subcontractors) and suppliers throughout the construction project.

A surety bond is a contract between three parties:

  1. The Principal is the party purchasing the bond and undertaking an obligation to perform the job as promised.
  2. The Obligee is the party requiring and receiving the protection of the bond.
  3. The Surety is the insurance company or surety company that guarantees the obligation will be performed.

How do you know if you need a construction bond? The project owner will decide.

Kristina Campbell has been working with contractors across Maine for their insurance and bonding needs for more than 15 years.

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