“About 72% of the 855 data breaches world-wide analyzed last year by Verizon Communications Inc.'s forensic analysis unit were at companies with 100 or fewer employees.”  Maybe the hackers will just cause system havoc, but maybe not.

While the 100 employee business in this article got all but about $200K of its money back, it appears this company was able to rapidly leverage some banking connections that most clients don’t have.  How many of your 100 employee clients could take a $1.2 million hit to their bank account?

Saw dust, metal shavings, paint and other construction materials are the usual suspects for causing potentially harmful eye damage to construction workers. But for those who work outdoors, the sun is also the cause of irreversible damage to the eyes.

Poor communication between work crews and supervisors is one of the leading causes of accidents on construction sites. Hearing difficulties, due to the high level of sound emitted from construction equipment, is one contributing factor to miscommunication. Some equipment emits sounds higher than 125 decibels, which makes communicating with other workers nearly impossible.

Construction contracts can contain terms that impact your company’s bottom line. Reviewing them carefully prior to signing is indispensable, and can save your company time and money.

 

The key to calculating a workers’ compensation premium is the experience modification factor, also known as your mod. Understanding your company’s mod and the data used to obtain it helps you identify ways to minimize your workers’ compensation premium.

NCCI Changes Primary-Excess Split Point for 2013

 

More patients are consulting the internet first to research their symptoms and read physician reviews before scheduling a doctor appointment. A physician's presence (or non-presence) on the internet can affect their reputation and the reputation of the office or hospital they work for.

...

Eight to 12 percent of the 7 million U.S. health care workers have developed an allergic sensitivity to latex at some time during their careers, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Allergic sensitivity can lead to skin disorders, respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems.

...

...

According to researchers at the University of Maryland, the length of a nurse's shift has a big effect on the health of the patients they treat.

The American Institute of Stress estimates that workplace stress costs U.S. businesses more than $300 billion each year due to absenteeism, employee turnover, medical costs and diminished productivity.

That means that reducing workplace stress not only helps your employees maintain happy and healthy lives, but it will help your business be more profitable and productive.

 

The growing threat of identity theft and the high costs associated with a data breach are making contractors increasingly aware of the importance of robust network security and data breach controls, but many contractors do not realize that their vendors’ data security protocols are equally important.

Since 1995, more catastrophic dust explosions have occurred in February than in any other month.

Accumulations of dust as small as 1/32 of an inch—about the thickness of a dime—can give rise to a catastrophic dust explosion, so it is imperative that manufacturers take steps to prevent even small amounts of combustible dust from accumulating in their facilities.

Careful facility planning and design can be helpful as the first line of defense to prevent hazardous material leaks or spills, or to mitigate the effects if a leak or spill does happen.

When using ammonia refrigeration equipment, facilities should be designed so the system's machinery is in a detached building, or at least a separate room, from the rest of the facility. As well, vapor tight separations and mechanical gasket-sealed doors should be used in as many areas of the facility as possible to reduce the risk of an ammonia leak spreading inside the facility.

Considering these and other building design plans can significantly reduce the negative effects of a leak or spill before they occur.

A recent study published in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management examined construction projects designed to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

When your operations involve any kind of hazardous materials, you know that there is the risk and potential for those materials to be exposed to workers and the surrounding public in the event of a fire, leak or explosion. To account and prepare for these hazards, your risk management planning should include thorough consideration of potential scenarios and decisions that you may have to make.

On December 27, 2011, the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published The Hours of Service of Drivers Final Rule, which revises the hours-of-service (HOS) safety requirements for commercial truck drivers.

 

There is no one set definition of an independent contractor in the United States. State and federal regulations that determine whether someone is an independent contractor or an employee are different, and each state tends to have their own unique criteria. Misclassifying a worker can bring strict penalties and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has increased their audits on companies suspected of misusing the contractor title.

Many contractors try to expand the scope of their business to stay busy during slow periods. This attempt to make a little extra money can turn out to be a bad idea if the situation isn't entered into carefully and with thorough consideration of all risks.

Snow days were a highlight of winter when many of us were children, but now winter weather presents a host of difficulties for employers. There are safety concerns, OSHA regulations to comply with, potential liability risks, attendance confusion and pay-related issues to address. It’s important to be prepared for all scenarios associated with inclement weather before the weather arrives, and to make sure employees are properly informed of all relevant policies and procedures.