Why is timely reporting important for workers’ compensation claims? If you, as the employer, report claims in a timely manner you’ll see faster treatment for the injured employee, the prevention of injury exacerbation, and even future accident prevention. You’ll also likely notice lower costs.

It’s the 21st century business nightmare. A cyber-attack. A modern “monster” with many faces. Hackers can trick your employee into disclosing sensitive information. They can figure out a weak password. A virus or malware can leave your data vulnerable. The mobility of devices or laptops makes them easy to steal—and any data stored on them can often be stolen just as easily. Hackers can scramble your network and demand a bitcoin ransom to release it. They can down your website with bot traffic. They likely have other ways to get to data we haven’t even heard about yet.

And once they have your data, you can’t stop them from using it; you can only manage the fallout. That costs you not just time, but money too. For example, dealing with compromised personal information often requires attorneys, information technology specialists, a public relations firm, notices to the affected individuals, and identity-theft coverage for them too.

For modern businesses, then, cyber insurance has become a necessity. It can cover many of the costs you incur from a cyber-attack. But how do you know if you have the right coverage and enough of it?

From safety and quality, to production and turnover- supervisors face a variety of challenges and responsibilities in their roles. Supervisors are key to an organization’s ability to develop personnel and establish expectations for the implementation of a proactive safety culture. They are the hidden heroes! Are you arming them with the tools, resources, and training to effectively develop their teams?

Workers’ compensation claims can be costly. You know that. As a safety or human resources professional, you often have the daunting task of analyzing how workers’ compensation claims are impacting the company. If you don’t have the right tools and information, you are potentially missing key indicators.

Mark Wobbe, Principal at Gibson, shares his insight on what 2017 may bring for the property & casualty market. 

Where is today’s property & casualty (P&C) market and where is it headed in 2017?

Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced. - John Keats

Books and lectures can only get students so far. The best education for students of all ages incorporates experience outside the classroom—experience that makes what they’re learning “real.” And field trips are one of the best ways to get students out of the classroom.

Field trips also expose students to increased risk. Students must be transported and monitored in environments teachers don’t and can’t control in the same way they control their classrooms. To assure these risks don't become bad experiences, schools must be committed to risk management around field trips. Here are a few risk management strategies that can help make field trips a positive learning experience for students.

Your website and internet presence is a reflection of who you are and what you do. And it needs to be accurate. Be it potential clients, underwriters, or prospective employees – what they find on your website and the internet shapes how they view your company.

Does your risk management strategy take into consideration your online presence?

From all of us at Gibson, we wish you peace, prosperity, and a happy new year!

Each year OSHA releases the 10 most frequently cited standards. Many of the same standards have found themselves on this list in recent years. For the sixth year in a row, Fall Protection (Standard 1926.501) tops the lists. And the only change from 2015 to 2016 is the Machine Guarding and Electrical Wiring swapped spots. 

Are you taking proper precautions to avoid these hazards in your facility and promote workplace safety?

Are your workers safely entering and exiting vehicles or equipment? Especially in wet, snowy, or icy conditions, the process of entering or exiting can be quite dangerous. Workers can get injured when mounting and dismounting trucks, forklifts, heavy equipment, and aerial work platforms.

What is the safest method for entering and exiting a vehicle or equipment?

The recommend practice is the 3-point rule. This means always having at least three points of contact with the equipment - two hands & one foot or one hand & two feet. Following the 3-point rule will provide you with the most stability, and therefore reduce the risk of slips and falls.