A report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) examining countrywide medical cost trends revealed that health care facility services costs accounted for 40% of workers’ compensation expenses during 2021 and increased by an average of 3% throughout the past decade.

The trucking industry consists of businesses that leverage large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to transport various types of cargo (e.g., raw materials, product components and finished goods) over specified routes. This sector plays an essential role in the U.S. economy by moving mass amounts of freight and supporting supply chains across industry lines.

As a co-worker of new employees, consider yourself the most critical role model during their first few weeks. After all, your attitude and respect for safety policies and procedures could end up helping them avoid serious accidents and injuries in the workplace. It may take a while for new employees to adjust and feel like they fit in on the job.

The National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) will take place April 17-21, 2023, in conjunction with National Occupational Research Agenda’s (NORA) Construction Stand-down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents event. In 2020, the year with the most recent available data, 774 fatal work zone crashes occurred, killing a staggering 857 people.

The manufacturing sector consists of businesses that utilize raw materials to generate finished products. Due to the range of items this industry plays a role in producing (e.g., food and beverages, textiles, apparel, wood products, chemicals, plastics, metals, electronics, machinery and furniture), it contributes significantly to the overall economy.

Fire hazards exist in workplaces across industry lines, carrying severe safety risks. Even with proper prevention measures in place, fires may still occur. With this in mind, it’s vital for employees like you to be prepared for a fire on the job and know how to respond effectively. Here’s an overview of fire preparation and response best practices.

Falls are an ever-present risk in the construction industry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 353 deaths attributed to fatal falls to a lower level in 2020. The DOL has also stated that an average of 40 workers die each year due to falls from residential roofs.

It’s critical for safety to be at the forefront of any organization, regardless of size or industry. By upholding a safe work environment, organizations can minimize the risk of costly on-site accidents and employee injuries—boosting staff morale and maximizing productivity.

Cybercriminals continue to become more sophisticated, leveraging a wide range of tactics to attack their victims. One tactic that has increased in frequency, complexity and resulting losses over the past few years is the use of business email compromise (BEC) scams.

On Dec. 16, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the Safety Measurement System (SMS) would now include an electronic logging device (ELD) violation. Now, under 49 CFR 395.24(d), the inability of an ELD to transfer ELD records electronically is a violation.

Historically, the construction industry has largely been a male-dominated field. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women currently account for just 10.3% of those employed within the sector—a statistic that has been relatively steady for much of the past two decades.

OSHA keeps records not only of the most frequently cited standards overall but also within particular industries for each fiscal year. Understanding these standards and taking proactive steps to avoid violations can go a long way toward ensuring workplace safety.

On Jan. 26, 2023, OSHA announced it issued new enforcement guidance making its penalties more effective to stop employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with workplace safety and health requirements.

Directors and officers (D&O) insurance provides corporate directors and officers with coverage for managerial decisions that negatively impact the company. This insurance may generally cover legal fees, settlements, and other costs related to their defense.

The number of product recalls reached a 20-year high in the third quarter of 2022, according to the U.S. product recall index released by Sedgwick Claims Services Management Inc. Across the five industries tracked in the index, 1.22 billion product units have been involved in recalls, up from the previous record set in 2018 of 1.20 billion.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) roadside inspections are examinations of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and drivers by Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) inspectors. MCSAP inspectors conduct roadside inspections to ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Hazardous Materials Regulations.

Quick and efficient snow removal is essential at any workplace, as snow buildup can present hazards to employees, drivers and pedestrians. That’s where snowplows can help. Yet, this equipment carries safety risks of its own.

Each fiscal year, OSHA keeps records on the most frequently cited standards stemming from worksite inspections. The latest records outline the top 10 standards cited during fiscal year 2022 (Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022) and the total number of violations for each standard.

Severe weather conditions can be detrimental to job sites, placing additional strain on construction employers. While there’s no way to completely safeguard worksites from the elements, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the risks posed by extreme weather events. Such weather can come in many forms, each of which require their own preparations in order to protect job sites.

Presenteeism in the workplace occurs when an employee comes to work despite feeling tired or unwell, considerably reducing their productivity. This problem is especially common among remote or hybrid employees, as they are more likely to not feel the need to take sick leave when they’re feeling unwell.