Business owners often think that Workers Compensation claims are made due to employee injuries directly related to the company’s operations. Often overlooked are environmental injuries. If you have employees that work outdoors in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, or any other area that is subject to the elements, it is important to put practices in place to prevent injury due to exposure to sun, heat, insects, or lightning.
Protect against the Sun’s harmful rays
- Cover up with lightweight, tightly woven clothing that you can see through.
- Use sunscreen. A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 should block 93% of UV rays.
- Wear a hat that protects your neck, ears, forehead, nose, and scalp.
Heat and humidity can be a serious health threat
- Drink plenty of water before you get thirsty.
- Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as dry-fit materialistic .
- Eat smaller meals before working.
- Skip the caffeine and soda; drink water instead.
- Be aware that equipment such as respirators or work suits can increase heat stress.
Insect bites and stings are not only a nuisance but can cause serious injury
- Wear bug repellant.
- Avoid wearing heavy perfumes.
- Check before drinking from cups, bottles and cans, as stinging insects are attracted to sweet drinks.
Lightning is unpredictable and occurs during heavy storms or in absence of rain
- Develop a corporate lightning plan with input from your team
- Make sure to check weather reports regularly
- In case of lightning, stop work and seek shelter or, if no shelter available, use a hard-topped metal vehicle.
- Set mandatory length of time for stopping and restarting work after lightning strike.
For more resources on how to help keep your outdoor workers safe and your Workers Compensation costs down, reach out to us at 561.571.1001
Mitigating Potential PCI Risks
- Provide thorough training on properly handling payment card transactions. This could include what to do if a customer or payment card seems suspicious, and the process for accepting returns.
- Review the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) requirements annually to ensure the safety of your business and customers.
- Choose a payment card system password that is at least seven characters long, with upper and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Reset your password at least every three months.
- Incorporate additional PCI services, such as code 10, to more adequately protect your business and your customers’ data.
Payments cards have become a necessary business standard and your company needs to become aware of the risks associated with operating this technology. To learn more about how your company can protect itself from the potential risks associated with accepting payment cards, contact Biscayne Risk & Insurance Group or a trusted payment card processor, such as Servistree, today.
—–
Matthew Pitnick
mjp@biscaynerisk.com