Pandemic and Supply Chain Lessons Lead to Improved Food System Framework

Denise GillinAgribusiness, News

By Gina Ekstam for AssuredPartners The pandemic and supply chain disruptions have revealed longstanding issues with getting food from farm to table. In an effort to strengthen the food system across the supply chain, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced details of its Food System Transformation Framework. More options, increased access, and improved markets are just some of the USDA’s goals for transforming our food system. The framework addresses the need for more capacity to gather, process, move, and store food. Increasing local/geographic capacity will help build resiliency in the face of market disruptions, provide more choices for producers to create value-added products and sell locally, and support new economic opportunities and job creation in rural communities. Click for …

OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on COVID-19

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By AP Senior Living National Emphasis Programs (NEPs) have been used relatively sparingly in recent years, the last being focused on limiting workers exposure to silica, approximately a year ago. These seemingly have been reserved for exposures typically found in heavy industrial or manufacturing type risks. The most recent NEP, titled “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” was implemented by Executive Order by President Biden, which became effective March 12, 2021, and is scheduled to run one year. This NEP, in contrast to others, will have far reaching implications to almost every industry in the country. OSHA is prioritizing industries who they perceive are most at risk. Not surprisingly, Residential Care Facilities are at the top of that list. This NEP is a combination of targeted inspections, outreach …

Insurance Supports Sustainable Agriculture

Denise GillinAgribusiness, News

By Gina Ekstam for AssuredPartners Each year, National Ag Day recognizes and celebrates the critical role of agriculture in our country. In addition to producing the food, fiber, and renewable resources we need, agriculture has an essential role in maintaining a strong economy. As the population grows, so does the demand for food and fiber. Because of advancements in farming, America’s farmers can produce more while practicing sustainability for the future. Consider this: in the 1960s, each farmer fed 25 people. Today, each farmer feeds more than 165 people. The theme for this year’s National Ag Day (held March 22, 2022) is “Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” About 22 million people are working in ag-related fields. As stewards of …

Challenges the Construction Industry is Facing in 2022

Denise GillinConstruction, News

By Blaine Allen for AssuredPartners The construction industry is one of the largest sectors in the US economy. Nearly $1.4T worth of structures are constructed each year and it employs more than seven million workers across 733,000 businesses. As 2022 kicks off, many of these construction industry professionals will be wondering what issues & challenges we will face in the next 12 months. While the PPP funds in 2020 and 2021 were life savers to many businesses, we are unlikely to see similar measures in the future. Things are slowly getting back to normal, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t challenges to the industry in 2022. Some issues described below are unique to the construction industry, and others are …

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Commercial Poultry Flock in Delaware

Denise GillinAgribusiness, News, Risk Management

WASHINGTON, February 23, 2022 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock in New Castle County, Delaware. Samples from the flock were tested at the University of Delaware’s Allen Laboratory in Newark, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Delaware on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the …

Cybersecurity Controls are Driving Insurance Renewal Terms and Pricing

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By Maureen Gallagher for AssuredPartners Cyber insurance pricing has increased significantly in the last several years. Loss frequency and severity is driving the pricing increases with ransomware as the loss leader. Underwriters are scrutinizing internal controls, and are either providing very low limits ($100K to $250K), or are no longer willing to write ransomware without multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA is a security setting that requires users to provide more than one method of verification to gain access to websites or applications. It is also referred to as two-factor authentication. MFA is the top requirement, but underwriters will also inquire about the following>>>

Entry Level Driving Training: New Updates

Denise GillinNews, Transportation

By Andy Engardio for AssuredPartners Starting February 7th, 2022, the new Entry Level Driver Training rules are officially in effect. First and foremost, the rule is NOT retroactive. If a driver currently holds a permit (prior to 2/7/2022) or CDL, and/or has a Passenger, School Bus, or Hazmat endorsement they are exempt from this rule. The mandate and training requirements must be met by every new driver applying for their CDL. It is important for trucking professionals to understand how this will impact the industry. For a new driver applying for their CDL, they must find and complete a training program from an approved provider. To find a provider, check out the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR). Click for more …

Vaccine Mandate Update: How the Latest Legal Rulings Could Influence EPLI Coverage

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, News, Risk Management

By Courtney DuChene for Risk&Insurance Employers who were preparing to implement vaccine or test requirements might be wondering what they should do to protect their workforce and shield themselves from EPL risk. The U.S. Supreme Court blocked an Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard, which would have required employers with 100 employees to either mandate vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus or to test workers weekly. Click to learn if employers can mandate a vaccination>>>

The Big Quit: Why Mid-Sized Company Leaders are Concerned with the Ballooning Talent Shortage

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management, Workers' Compensation

By Lucas Prahl for Risk&Insurance The Great Resignation, also known as The Big Quit, is one of 2021’s greatest challenges for companies of all sizes. In September 2021 alone, 4.4 million employees quit their jobs, up from 3.3 million in September 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the hot labor market, employees are leaving for better jobs or bowing out of the workforce for a variety of factors, many related to the pandemic. This trend is especially troubling for mid-sized company leaders, a group that a new survey from QBE revealed already had a lot to worry about when it comes to their employees. Tell me more>>>