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.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics (BLS), the rate of labor union membership decreased from 10.3% in 2021 to 10.1% in 2022. The 2022 unionization rate is the lowest since the BLS started tracking comparable union data in 1983.

Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic, international crises and natural disasters have greatly changed the economy and how businesses operate. As 2023 begins, evolving insurance underwriting trends will likely affect many types of organizations, including houses of worship.

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.

California’s Pacific storms—known as atmospheric rivers—have resulted in more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses since Dec. 2022, according to AccuWeather Inc. Major flooding, widespread power outages, landslides, fallen trees and road closures have cost between $31 billion and $34 billion in economic impact.

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.

Insured natural disaster losses hit an estimated $120 billion in 2022, with North America making up the bulk of the tally due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, according to Munich Re. Economic losses reached $270 billion, down from $320 billion in 2021.

The winter months are known for bringing sickness. In particular, this winter, health experts are warning of a “tripledemic” due to the threat of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (flu) and COVID-19. Viruses transmit more effectively in cold and dry weather, increasing your chances of coming into contact with someone contagious.

Ransomware events that occur on holidays and weekends cause much higher revenue losses than cyber incidents occurring on weekdays—primarily due to lower staffing levels—according to a survey of over 1,200 cybersecurity professionals.

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain traction in the U.S. auto market. Last year, Americans bought nearly 450,000 EVs—an 83% jump over 2020. With many federal and state governments pushing for lower CO2 roadway emissions, EV demand is expected to soar during the next decade.

The global reinsurance landscape tightened significantly on Jan. 1, with one broker deeming this renewal season “one of the hardest reinsurance markets in living memory.” Frequent natural catastrophes and economic and political shifts have introduced significant uncertainty and volatility into the insurance market, along with the biggest capital crunch in more than a decade, per recent broker reports.

Today’s society has become increasingly digital in nature, prompting businesses to leverage additional technology and online services in their operations. Specifically, some businesses have grown more reliant on the internet and social media platforms to market their products and services, allowing them to connect with a wider range of customers.

Winter weather can cause dangerous road conditions. In 2020, 374 fatal crashes occurred in winter driving conditions. Driving cautiously and understanding what to do in an emergency are key to staying safe this winter.

Extended detection and response (XDR) is a security solution that offers organizations end-to-end visibility, detection, investigation and response across multiple security layers. Unlike endpoint detection and response (EDR), XDR provides a holistic view of threats across the entire technology landscape rather than only those within managed endpoints.

Small businesses and self-employed people saw fewer cyberattacks and data breaches over the previous 12 months. Still, significant risks remain for this corner of the economy, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center’s (ITRC) 2022 Business Impact Report.