Blog
Ridgemark Insurance Services
Opioid Overdose Meds May Be Coming to Your First Aid Kit
Efforts are afoot to create new laws and regulations that would require California employers to include the opioid overdose medication Narcan in their first aid kits. The National Safety Council (NSC) recently asked the Cal/OSHA Standards Board to create new...
Changes Coming to Electronics, Dual-Wage Class Codes
The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California will recommend changes to class codes for some electronics manufacturing sectors, as well as increases to the wage thresholds for construction industry dual classifications. The move comes after the...
Vacant Office Buildings May Have Insurance Problems
The trend toward employees working remotely that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has proven popular, and many employers have been able to shrink their office costs by leasing smaller spaces. However, these changes have resulted in increased commercial building...
Four High Deductible Health Plan Mistakes to Avoid
With more than half of all private sector employees enrolled in high-deductible health plans, it's important that employers have in place certain protocols to ensure that they are a success. As health insurance costs have risen, more employers have started offering...
DOL Issues Final Independent Contractor Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor in January 2024 finalized a new federal rule that will make it more difficult for employers to classify workers as independent contractors. The final rule formally rescinds the independent contractor rule issued by the DOL a few years ago...
New OSHA Electronic Reporting Rule Takes Effect
A new rule by the Department of Labor requires firms with 100 or more employees in certain industries to electronically submit their OSHA Form 300 and 301 logs, starting in 2024. These are in addition to submission of Form 300A-Summary of Work-Related Injuries and...
It’s Time to Post Your OSHA Form 300A
Employers with 10 or more employees must post their completed OSHA Form 300A by Feb. 1 and keep it posted in their workplace until April 30. The form must be posted where the company usually posts other employee notices, like minimum wage and workplace safety notices....
Take Advantage of Safer Construction Devices
Advancements are making construction workplaces safer thanks to innovative new designs that learn from the past and the weaknesses of equipment that has been used in construction for decades. Construction firms that don't keep up with the latest in safety devices are...
Manage the Risks of EV Charging Stations at Your Business
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is encouraging businesses to install charging stations in parking lots for their employees and visitors. Commercial real estate owners and investors are always looking for ways to increase the value of their properties....
Documenting Small Safety Incidents Key to Preventing Major Ones
Studies show that for every major workplace injury or fatality, there are nearly 10 minor injuries — and more than 30 accidents that lead to property damage. While minor injuries may not seem consequential, they can be indicators of structural problems in an...