commercial risk consultant

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Amid the continued concerns of COVID-19/Coronavirus, please rest assured that The Prewitt Group is committed to keeping our clients and partners protected, prepared and informed. Therefore, we are sharing the following information that has been provided by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Please use the following information to help prepare your team:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan for and respond to COVID-19. The interim guidance is intended to help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

OSHA recordkeeping requirements mandate covered employers record certain work-related injuries and illnesses on their OSHA300 log. While exposure to common cold and flu are specifically exempt, incidents of employees contracting coronavirus at work are a “recordable” incident.

COVID-19 can be a recordable illness if a worker is infected as a result of performing their work-related duties. However, employers are only responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 if certain criteria are met https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html

Regarding employers with employees that could potentially be exposed to novel coronavirus, you can view Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) site for information that may apply to employee’s exposure to novel coronavirus.

  • OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards (in general industry, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I), which require using gloves, eye and face protection, and respiratory protection.
  • When respirators are necessary to protect workers, employers must implement a comprehensive respiratory protection program in accordance with the Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
  • The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), which requires employers to furnish to each worker “employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”

As always, The Prewitt Group is available to navigate the uncertainties and questions related to your business and industry. Our team of risk management advisors are ready and available to talk through specific concerns you may have. Please contact us at (205) 933-9207 or email your consultant directly.

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How to Prepare Your Business for Disaster

Did you know that 40 percent of businesses fail to reopen following a disaster? According to a report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), another 25 percent of businesses fail within a year following a disaster. From natural disasters to cyberattacks, your business is at risk of facing downtime following an unfortunate event. In fact, more than 50 percent of companies experienced a downtime event in the past five years that last longer than a full workday.

Recovering from any disaster can be expensive and burdensome to your business, so it’s important to be prepared for emergency expenses and protect your assets with insurance. The saying, “Time is money” certainly applies in business, so minimizing downtime in case of an emergency is imperative.

Prepare for emergency expenses by:

  • Identifying your monthly financial obligations.
  • Creating an emergency fund to purchase supplies or equipment.
  • Having a credit card or line of credit available.
  • Establishing a payroll policy for during and after a disaster.
  • Establish clear strategies for controlling costs in a disaster situation.

Protect your assets with insurance: Meet with an insurance consultant to make sure you have the proper coverage for the disasters and risks your business faces. If you already have policies in place, review them with your insurance consultant to make sure you understand your deductibles, the limits of your insurance and the nature of your coverage. After all, there are many different types of coverage, all of which are subject to limitations and exclusions. For instance, some policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage, so you may need additional protection. In today’s world, you may want to consider obtaining cyber insurance to protect your business from data breaches and cyber-attacks. The Prewitt Group offers various commercial coverages including commercial property, commercial umbrella, boiler and machinery, business automobile and more.

All in all, when it comes to emergency preparedness, focus on prevention and protection. Effective preparedness can benefit the recovery process. It’s important to assess your risks and take steps to minimize damage and downtime.

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Whether they’re big or small, workplace injuries can leave a large impact on your business. From pricey medical bills to workers’ compensation paperwork and more, the consequences of these common injuries are high. It’s important to be aware of these risks so that you can take the necessary precautions to prevent them from hurting your employees and business.

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As we venture into the New Year, it’s time to reflect on the happenings, both good and bad, of the past year and evaluate your insurance policies to guarantee you’re covered in the coming year. It’s a good time to ask yourself: “What could possibly go wrong over the course of the coming year?” Consider your business, family, property, home, health, vehicle, etc. How would your insurance company respond if the worst scenario occurred? 

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A.Kontomitras

J.R. Prewitt & Associates is excited to welcome Alexander Kontomitras to the team as a Commercial Risk Consultant! In this role, Alexander will be responsible for bringing in new clients and educating new prospects on the changing risks to their current business. To learn more about Alexander, check out this Q&A:

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