What are Safety Groups?

Most homes and businesses are outfitted with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems—systems that require the care of specialized technicians for service. As an HVAC contractor, you are tasked with managing a variety of risks every time you perform maintenance or an installation on behalf of your clients.
Just one incident involving the use of electrical equipment, worker injury or property damage can lead to costs for your business. What’s more, exposures related to equipment breakdown, crime and environmental liability are prevalent for HVAC contractors, compounding risks for your business. The list below provides an overview of these risks and more—helping you identify potential blind spots in your risk management and insurance programs.

Automobile exposures

Because HVAC contractors usually own a fleet of vehicles and employees travel to and from job sites on a frequent basis, automobile exposures can be significant. Specifically, any time a contractor transports tools or visits a client, the risk for accidents increases. And, just one accident can be extremely costly for your business, as expenses related to vehicle repairs and bodily injuries can add up quickly. What’s more, if employees use their own vehicle for work, standard commercial auto policies are often not enough.

Property

Property—including your tools, equipment, supplies, signage and similar items—plays a key role for your organization. And, in the event of a loss caused by fires, theft or vandalism, your business can suffer major financial consequences. Exposures can come from malfunctioning electrical equipment, flammable materials, weather and natural disasters. What’s more, a single incident can affect multiple aspects of your property, compounding costs and downtime for your business.

Equipment breakdown

HVAC contractors depend on a variety of different equipment to complete work on commercial or residential property, potentially creating significant equipment breakdown exposures as a result.
Contractors have very specific tools when it comes to installing and repairing HVAC systems, and any losses or breakdowns can lead to business interruptions, costly repairs or even lost contracts.

Completed operations coverage

Once a job has been completed, HVAC contractors can be held liable if their work product causes bodily injury or property damage. While claims of smaller problems can often be resolved with a repair, larger
issues may result in legal action. For instance, should heating and cooling systems be installed improperly, they could leak or catch fire, causing significant damage to a client’s home. Completed operations coverage can help protect a contractor should these kinds of claims arise.

Inland marine exposures

HVAC contractors regularly transport equipment, tools and supplies to and from worksites. As such, any property that’s unique or valuable, in transit, in your temporary care, stored at fixed (but movable) locations or used to transfer information represents inland marine exposures. Materials and tools can be damaged in transit from shifting loads or traffic collisions; at the worksite from collision, being dropped or poor weather conditions; or lost from theft, potentially creating costly losses.

Crime exposures

HVAC contractors face several crime exposures, particularly if valuable equipment or tools are used at the worksite, which may attract thieves or vandals. Thieves (including your employees) can rob an office or worksite at any time, targeting cash or valuable supplies. What’s more, with worksite locations changing on a regular basis, the level of risk a contractor faces is in constant flux.

Environmental liabilities

Because HVAC contractors store and handle refrigerants and other volatile chemicals as part of their business, environmental liabilities can be substantial. If disposed of improperly or following an accidental spill, these materials can create pollution, which can lead to insurance claims or even regulatory fines. Environmental incidents are particularly concerning because they can cause harm to the surrounding community, involve costly cleanup and often cause damage to a business’s reputation.

Workers’ compensation

Any time one of your employees is injured on the job, your organization could be subjected to a workers’ compensation claim. Common sources of on-the-job accidents for HVAC contractors include cuts, scrapes, burns from hot equipment, respiratory Illnesses from inhaling insulation and
musculoskeletal injuries caused by repetitive tasks, twisting, lifting, sprains and strains. Normal, everyday tasks related to working under sinks or carrying equipment can lead to accidents and, in turn, increased costs for your business.

For More Information

While the proper risk management practices can reduce certain exposures, no system is 100% effective in ensuring an incident-free workplace. As a result, it’s all the more crucial to work with a qualified insurance broker to not only assess you exposures, but secure the appropriate coverage as well. To learn more, contact Keevily Spero Whitelaw Inc. today.

OSHA’s new silica rule for the general industry recently went into effect, which lowered the permissible exposure limit for the substance to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) and requires employers to take other steps to protect employees. Now, the agency has released new tools to help employers comply with the new standard.

Many of the new materials focus on silica risks that are specific to the construction industry, which has had to adhere to the new standard since last year. Here’s an overview of the new OSHA resources:

• An informational video on the hazards associated with respirable silica

• A series of shorter videos on control methods for specific tasks in the construction industry

• A customizable presentation to help train construction employees on the dangers of silica exposure and how to protect themselves

• An FAQ webpage on the new standard

Have you tried our Premium Audit Secure Document Upload yet? The system allows you to upload audit-related documents to NYSIF in lieu of an on-site audit visit. Our short video shows how easy it is to upload your documents. When it’s time for an audit, don’t forget about our Premium Audit Scheduling System, which allows you to schedule an initial audit or reschedule an existing appointment to a date, time and place of your choice.

Your experience modification factor, or mod, is an important component used in calculating your workers’ compensation premium. If you can control your mod, you can lower your price — so we’ve gathered top tips to help you impact your bottom line.

1. Investigate accidents immediately and thoroughly; take corrective action to eliminate hazards, and be aware of fraud.
2. Report all claims immediately. Alert your Keevily claims team to any serious, potentially serious or suspect claims. Frequently monitor the status of the claim, and communicate with your Keevily claims team to resolve them as quickly as possible.
3. Take an aggressive approach to providing modified duty to all injured employees upon their release from treatment. Supervise modified duty employees to ensure their conformance with restrictions.
4. In serious cases that involve lost time, communicate with the claims adjuster to demonstrate your interest in returning the injured employee back to gainful employment.
5. Set safety performance goals for those with supervisory responsibility. Success in achieving safety goals should be used as one measure during performance appraisals.
6. Develop a written safety program, and train employees in their responsibilities for safety. Incorporate a disciplinary policy into the program that holds employees accountable for breaking rules or rewards them for correctly following safety procedures.
7. Frequently communicate with employees, both formally and informally, regarding the importance of safety.
8. Make safety a priority – senior management must be visible in the safety effort and must support improvement.
9. Evaluate accident history and near-misses at least monthly. Look for trends in experience, and take corrective action on the worst problems first.
10. Take advantage of safety classes and training offered by Keevily. Utilize your access to the Keevily portal for training materials and resources.

During winter, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is more prevalent than at any other time of the year. CO is found in many businesses, and workers can be exposed to it by industrial and chemical processes that lack proper ventilation.

Symptoms of exposure include headache, fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. High concentrations cause unconsciousness, coma and death. Concentration, length of exposure and rate of breathing determine amount of poisoning. Fifty parts per million (ppm) is the permissible OSHA 8-hour time-weighted average; the NIOSH recommended exposure level is 35 ppm.

The chief cause of exposure is exhaust from combustion engines. Propane-powered forklifts, and cars and trucks idling in unvented areas are likely causes. Proper ventilation and exhaust systems must be provided in such locations.

Unvented heating appliances and even outdoor exposure from improperly exhausted equipment have caused CO poisoning. All portable heaters should be operated according to manufacturer’s specifications, with appropriate ventilation provided.

Gasoline-fueled electrical generators, diesel-powered equipment and similar machines have sickened workers. Generators should be placed outside away from windows or air intakes.

When workers perform strenuous tasks in cold weather, such as shoveling snow, overexertion can lead to sore muscles, back strain and possible heart attacks.

Consider the physical condition of anyone doing stressful outdoor work before assigning them. Diabetics, heart patients and persons with vascular and thyroid problems are more susceptible to cold-weather stress.

● Use mechanical or motorized equipment to minimize demanding tasks such as shoveling snow; use hand shovels with ergonomic handles.

● Workers must follow all safety guidelines and procedures when clearing or un-jamming powered snow removal equipment.

● Make sure workers know how to perform assigned tasks safely, and use the proper tools.

● Employees should know the symptoms of cold-related stress, and monitor themselves – and coworkers. A “buddy system” helps workers keep track of each other.

Driving is a task that requires constant attention to changing conditions. Many factors lead to vehicular accidents, including road conditions, weather, distractions (cell phones) and failure to follow basic safe driving rules. Winter drivers also can including treacherous “black ice” that cannot easily be detected until it’s too late. Especially watch for icy patches on bridges and in the shade.

● Winterize vehicles. Check batteries, tires, windshield wipers, washer fluid and antifreeze. Keep cell phones charged.

● Drivers should stay below posted speed limits in bad weather and keep a safe distance from the next vehicle.

● Be ready to reduce speed in case of sudden stops.

● Keep your lights on. Make sure other vehicles can see you.

● Use safe braking techniques to avoid skidding. Ease off the accelerator. If your vehicle has antilock brakes (ABS), brake firmly and steer. Without ABS, pump the brakes to avoid wheel lock-up. Always gently steer into a skid to regain control of the vehicle.

These accidents are among the most frequent causes of injury. They occur frequently in wet weather, and especially during winter when residual snow and ice keep floor surfaces wet. Keep floors dry and paths clear. Avoid slipping on wet, icy and slippery walking surfaces. Consider these questions…..

● Has the snow, ice or rainwater removed?
● Do employees wear appropriate footwear for the weather?
● Are highly-polished floors slippery?
● Are there any “wet floor” warning signs?
● Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that lead to potential cold-induced illnesses and injuries, and train workers how to protect themselves.
● Select proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions. Layer clothing to adjust to changing temperatures. Wear a hat and gloves.
● Take frequent short breaks to allow the body to warm up.
● Perform work during the warmest part of the day.
● Use the buddy system (work in pairs).
● Drink warm beverages. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

Frostbite and hypothermia are serious risks in weather like today. In frostbite, freezing occurs in the deep layers of skin and tissue. Skin becomes pale, and waxy-white, hard and numb. Frostbite normally affects the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears and nose. Hypothermia is more serious and is a medical emergency. You can spot signs of hypothermia if body temperature drops to or below 95°F causing fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool bluish skin; slurred speech.