We return with the PLM Monthly Highlights series for insurance producers and brokers, our newsletter to keep informed on news and updates from Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual.
RISK ALERTS – Loading & Unloading
Many sectors throughout the country (and beyond) are struggling to find and keep good labor and the lumber and building materials industries are no exception. During the height of the past few years and the demand for their good and services, this labor shortage hit these operations particularly hard. While filling in the gaps with unskilled or untrained workers may seem tempting, doing so can significantly raise an operation’s risk exposure, especially when it comes to loading and unloading materials.
In a recent article for LBM Journal, PLM lists even more top risks related to loading and unloading and how brokers and carriers can help inform clients to protect their businesses from disaster. Some examples include:
- Distractions – from technology, to smoking, to food and drink, any distraction can lead to an accident
- Inadequate Training – employees can move to new positions and job functions without new or sufficient training, increasing a chance of an accident
- Inexperienced or Poorly Vetted Employees – quickly re-staffing an operation can lead to hiring inexperienced operators or overlooking red flags, leading to an accident
Other useful PLM tools and safety guides:
- Tips from the Toolbox: The Top 4 Risks to an LBM Business
- Vehicle Loading & Unloading Loss Control Guide
- Vehicle Unloading Guideline
- Load Securement Loss Control Guide
Ensuring Safe Operations
Lumber and building material dealers interested in ensuring their team is practicing safe loading and unloading protocols, should consider implementing the following best practices:
- Requiring training for all employees related to job function and conducting regular training refreshers every 3 years or remedial after an incident. Providing training, safety instructions and signage in multiple languages where appropriate.
- Designating a loading/unloading area and ensuring the areas are clear of other traffic, people, electric lines and is clearly marked and sufficiently lit.
Truck Drivers, when loading and unloading, should be advised to:
- Secure the vehicle, apply brakes turn off the engine, and chock wheels
- Remove straps, tarps and any other load securement devices,
- Proceed to designated safe areas when the truck is being unloaded.
Forklift Operators, when loading and unloading, should be advised to:
- Check the surrounding area to make sure no one is near the area.
- Stop the process if the location of the truck driver or bystanders is unclear.
- Understand the material to be unloaded and ensure it is secure
Loading and unloading is critical to business for lumber and material dealers. Sticking to protocol can be particularly challenging in busy times when labor is tight, but proper risk management is key to safe operations and to avoid costly claims and litigation.
Read the Article: https://lbmjournal.com/look-before-you-load-managing-loading-and-unloading-risk-amid-a-labor-shortage/
LOSS CONTROL HIGHLIGHT – Cyber Threats
October is Cyber Awareness Month – a national campaign helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. From your personal information to that of your clients in your office database, attacks can come from many different directions. The same goes for woodworkers and building material dealers where systems can also be compromised.
Some good practices like updating your software or using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication can help prevent breaches, but it’s perhaps most crucial to hone your skills in identifying threats as they appear and help your clients with the same.
Reinforcing the need for safer digital practices, we recommend revisiting our Cyber Corner article from a recent Producer Update. Here are questions to ask yourself when receiving a question item:
- Is the body of the email specifically addressed to you? – generic names like “user” can indicate a general phishing attack sent to many people
- Are there obvious spelling or grammatical errors? – in an era of prevalent spell check, obvious or strange errors could indicate a questionable source
- Was the email received at a strange time? – if sent outside of normal business hours, this could be a red flag letting you know the send may be suspect
- Is there a sense of urgency in the email? – cybercriminals often use a sense of urgency to trick you to click a link or attachment that can install malware or affect your systems
- Are you being asked to do something that isn’t typically part of your role? – even if you’re able to fulfill the request, something like this should give pause; call the person directly at a known number to confirm
If you still struggle to determine the legitimacy of an email, try looking outside of your inbox. For example, if you receive a notification email from a service you use, open your browser and navigate to the official website. Then, log in to your account to verify the legitimacy of the notification email. Or, if you are contacted by an individual, call the sender to confirm that the email really came from that person.
Recent Wins
Looking for ideas for new types of risks? Here are some examples of accounts successfully written by PLM or with WC placed through ABM.
PLM
Architectural Woodwork – NY: $7,500
Stair Manufacturer – NJ: $5,000
Furniture Maker: SC: $2,500
Wood Distributor – VA: $750
Closet Manufacturer – CT: $27,500
Live-Edge Slab Woodworking – NH: $4,500
Truss Manufacturer – MN: $12,000
Lumberyard – SD: $11,000
Stair Manufacturer – OH: $40,000
Furniture Maker: MI: $3,700
Sawmill – AL: $4,800
Lumberyard – TX: $6,500
Building Material Dealer – CA: $14,500
Lumber Broker – ID: $50,000
Hardware Store – CO: $25,500
Lumberyard – MT: $17,000
Cabinet Manufacturer – WA: $40,000
Molding/Trim Manufacturer – AZ: $6,000
ABM
Customer Shutter Mfg. – SC: $10,000
Stairs and Handrails Mfg. – NJ: $4,900
Lumber Broker – VT: $16,000
Reclaimed Lumber Mfg. – FL: $2,100
Custom Millwork Mfg. – PA: $4,900
Cabinet Manufacturer – ME: $13,500
Cabinet Manufacturer – OK – $6,000
Sawmill – MS – $8,900
Lumberyard – IL: $7,500
Custom Crate Mfg. – KS: $17,500
Pallet Manufacturer – IN: $10,000
Building Material Dealer – TX: $5,800
Pallet Manufacturer – CA: $14,000
Molding & Millwork Mfg. – CO: $9,000
Custom Cabinet Mfg. – NM: $3,200
Trim Manufacturer – AZ: $12,000
Building Material Dealer – KS: $4,000
Lumberyard – CA: $54,000
Upcoming Events
Find PLM and ABM at these upcoming insurance conventions and trade show events:
- 10/19 – ICP – Pittsburgh I-Day – Pittsburgh, PA
- 10/20 – MAIA – Mass Agent Big Event – Boston, MA
- 10/25 – PIA NY – Capital RAP – Albany, NY
- 11/07 – IIA IN – Annual Convention – Indianapolis, IN
- 11/10 – IIA CT – Mid-Year Convention – Plantsville, CT
- 11/16 – IIA KY – Annual Convention – Louisville, KY
