Top 5 OSHA Violations of 2021 to Avoid in the New Year 

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Two people wearing hard hats are reading an article about the top 5 OSHA violations of 2021  to better prepare for their future working endeavors.

The New Year is here! We hope you have a safe, happy, and fulfilling 2022 but before shutting the door on 2021 we thought it would be appropriate to look back at the top five most common Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Violations.  

1. Fall Protection

Did you know that fall protection is consistently ranked at the top of OSHA’s common violation list for over 10 years? It ranked in this year with 5,271 violations. Appropriate and effective fall protection is crucially important because it can prevent serious work-related injuries and deaths. If you are interested in a more detailed run-through of your fall protection rights under OSHA you can click here for more information! 

2. Respiratory Protection

There were 2,521 Violations filed under respiratory protection. This OSHA protection states that workers must be provided with respirators or other respiratory protection when required for the job. Respirators are important because they protect workers against a variety of environmental hazards including insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dust, smoke, gases, vapors, and sprays. Protecting one’s lungs from on-the-job hazards can avoid long-term injury or death. Go here for a detailed description of possible respiratory protection. 

3. Ladder Safety 

Another important OSHA guideline focuses on ladder safety. This year there were 2,018  violations. If you are interested in learning more about how to safely use ladders, we recently published a post that focuses entirely on ladder safety! OSHA also provides an in-depth explanation of ladder safety requirements here. 

4. Scaffolding 

There were 1,943 Violations reported under scaffolding infractions. As stated by OSHA, scaffold incidents causing injury or death to workers are often the result of either the planking or support giving way, by the worker slipping, the absence of fall protection, or being struck by a falling object. 

5. Hazard Communication Standard 

All workers have the right to know and understand any work hazards that they may encounter while on the course of a job. There were 1,939 Violations recorded under this category. According to OSHA, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. The descriptions should be clear and concise and avoid using technical jargon that may obscure the true risk involved. 

The most important takeaway when examining this list of common OSHA violations is that your employer is required to provide working conditions that are free of known dangers. If you are interested in learning more safety tips, OSHA provides state-specific safety courses.  

 

For more information about coverage options contact us today. 

 

Upcoming Entry-Level Driver Training Regulations

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This driver is preparing to meet the new ELDT guidelines.|

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations will set the minimum Federal requirements for training that new drivers must complete prior to being allowed to take certain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills or knowledge tests. This will go into effect on February 7th, 2022.  

The new ELDT mandate provides a minimum standard nationwide to ensure that new drivers entering the industry do so with the same education on competence and safety. 

ELDT training will be comprised of classroom (theory) education and skills training. Students will learn approximately 30 subjects within the classroom portion of the training and must score a minimum of 80% on a theory assessment to meet minimum program requirements. To qualify for the CDL exam, students will receive Behind The Wheel (BTW) training, as well as have a trainer’s endorsement stating that they are proficient in the CDL skills curriculum. 

Individuals who are applying to do the following are considered ‘entry-level’ drivers: 

  • Obtaining a Class A CDL or Class B CDL for the first time 
  • Upgrading an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL 
  • Obtaining a School Bus (S), Passenger (P), or Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement for the first time 

These regulations are NOT retroactive, meaning that individuals who were issued their CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement prior to February 7th, 2022 are exempt/grand-fathered in. They will not need to complete this training for their respective CDL’s or endorsements.  

Other exceptions include any individuals exempt from CDL requirements under 49 CFR part 383.  

Individuals who are required to complete the ELDT training on or after February 7th, 2022 must use a registered training provider. These providers must be registered and approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Drivers subject to ELDT can find training providers from the public list located on the Training Provider Registry (TPR). Drivers will contact the training provider and secure their services outside of the Registry. 

Once the ELDT mandate is effective, many businesses will not be allowed to train their own drivers. Instead, they will need to contract a driving school that is registered with the FMCSA. 

Flooding vs. Water Backup: What’s the Difference and What it Means for Your Coverage

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A photo featuring a woman holding a blue bucket that is positioned to catch water that is leaking through her ceiling. She is on the phone with her insurance agency to find out what her coverage is. There is a black and white dog on the left of the photo.

According to the National Weather Service, 2021 was the seventh wettest summer on record. These heavy rains brought with them repeated flooding and devastation. If these events prompted you to reevaluate your flood insurance coverage, you are not alone! In this post we are going to explain the differences between your coverage if water damage was caused by flooding or water backups.

What is a flood?

To begin, we are going to talk about floods. The National Weather Service defines flooding as an overflow of water onto normally dry land. It can either occur due to water building up gradually—or in the case of the flooding of Summer 2021—the flooding can be caused after heavy rainfall in a short period of time.

What is a water backup?

Another common source of water damage comes from water backups. A water backup can occur due to a variety of reasons, but most commonly is caused when a drain, sewer or gutter is blocked, clogged, or old/broken. These factors hinder wastewater’s ability to leave your home safely and causes it to overflow back up the pipes, causing flooding.

What does my insurance cover after a flood?

Did you know that most home insurance does not cover flooding? Flood insurance is usually a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both. Generally speaking—and this is entirely different based on your specific policy—flood insurance can cover the physical structure and foundation of your home, plumbing and electrical systems, central air and heating systems and attached structures such as cabinets and bookshelves. It may also cover other items such as clothing, furniture, and electronics. A standard homeowners insurance policy generally covers only certain types of water damage if it’s deemed accidental or sudden.

What does my insurance cover after a water backup?

Water backup coverage is also not a default when it comes to homeowners’ insurance. You need to choose to add on this coverage yourself. Water backup insurance will cover damages covered by a sewer or drain and a sump pump, or related equipment, even if the overflow or discharge occurred because of mechanical issues. If your drywall or ceiling become drenched after your water heater bursts or a pipe ruptures, then you will generally be covered.

Your insurance will NOT cover a water backup if it caused by neglect and failure to maintain pipes and it will not cover the replacement costs for your burst pipe or water heater. Water backup insurance also will not cover damage due to flooding.

 

For more information about our flood and water backup coverage options contact us today!