By Michael Diller, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist and Director, Employee Assistance Program, WellSpan Thanksgiving is less than a two-week isolation period away, and the pandemic is worsening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new small household gathering considerations due to their contribution to the rise in COVID-19 cases. The holiday is going to be different this year, but don’t let pandemic fatigue get the best of you. Finding calm Holiday stress coupled with pandemic stress and the resulting uncertainty all contribute to rising anxiety. While natural and to be expected, we want calm in the midst of this uncertainty. Now more than ever it’s important to stay grounded in up-to-date factual information. Get news and facts from reliable …
Manufacturing: Plan for Prevention
By Ryland Overly, GSP, Risk Control Consultant As most of us know, no two manufacturing operations are the same. Some may be similar, but there will always be some variance in the process, whether it be the raw materials, the machines, the setup, or the people working in the organization. Each one of these operations has its hazards that must be dealt with to protect its product, equipment, and people. If these hazards are left unchecked, it could result in a catastrophic loss. The Succeed / KPA safety platform notes that workplace incidents are not only tragic and frequently fatal for workers but also extremely expensive for employers. Between workers’ compensation, legal fees, regulatory penalties, employee turnover, diminished productivity, and …
Nine Tips for Space Heater Safety
From Succeed / KPA Safety Platform Can we all agree that it seems no one can agree on what is a comfortable office temperature? However, office temperature is important and may impact in ways previously not considered. A study conducted by Cornell University found that chilly workers not only make more errors but cooler temperatures could increase a worker’s hourly cost by 10 percent, as estimated by Alan Hedge, professor of design and environmental analysis and director of Cornell’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory. Bring out the space heaters If you are going to use them, follow these guidelines from Succeed / KPA safety resource platform to ensure a safe work environment: Never use space heaters in the areas where …
Pennsylvania Launches New State-based Health Insurance Marketplace, Pennie
Pennsylvania has launched a new state-based health insurance marketplace for 2021 coverage called Pennie. Pennie is responsible for operating the health insurance marketplace for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in accordance with federal and state law. Pennsylvanians can shop, apply, and enroll in health coverage on Pennie.com or click here to review the plan offerings. Pennsylvanians currently enrolled through Healthcare.gov will be transitioned to Pennie for their 2021 coverage. Pennie – same as the federal marketplace – is based on household income so some applicants may qualify for financial assistance that will lower their monthly premiums or their out-of-pocket expenses. Important Dates: Open Enrollment: 11/1/2020 – 1/15/2021 Last Date to apply for coverage that starts 1/1/2021: 12/15/2020 Last Date to apply …
Increased Risk During Civil Unrest
From Chubb Commercial Insurance Businesses may face increased risks during periods of public protests and civil unrest, which can threaten employees, disrupt operations, and damage property. You can help mitigate these risks by considering the following actions: Prioritize employee protection When civil unrest arises – or appears on the horizon – communicate as soon as possible with your staff to express concern, emphasize the importance of situational awareness, and provide critical guidance to ensure employee and customer safety. Protect your facilities Property in areas with unrest face the threat of damage, looting, and arson. Take steps to help protect your company’s facilities. Secure vacant premises Vacant buildings are particularly vulnerable to damage during periods of civil unrest – and with …
Risk Managers Play Critical Role in Protecting Production
Recent news reports indicate that ransomware attacks are becoming more prolific and all industries are vulnerable. An article by Jeffrey Tilley, Vice President and Manager, Cyber Hazards, and Jens Alkemper, Vice President and Research Area Director, FM Global, point out the specific risks to manufacturing and production. Tilley and Alkemper maintain that effective prevention of cyber risks cannot remain the sole responsibility of technology professionals. Risk management professionals, along with business leaders and senior management, need to work in conjunction with IT in a coordinated effort against cyberattacks. They outline several steps risk managers bring to the team to help enhance prevention and mitigate losses in the event of an attack: Break down technology silos for a holistic approach. Close …
Preserve Mental Wellbeing with these Online Schooling Resources
By Michael Diller, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist and Director, Employee Assistance Program, WellSpan Due to the pandemic, many teachers are conducting classes remotely, and many families are navigating virtual learning. Parents, caregivers, and teachers are working together to support each other and their students. During this uncertain school year, how do we recognized the signs that a young person is struggling with their mental health? What resources are available to help overcome these new challenges? Two websites with resources that can help alleviate some of the online school day stress and assist with the mental wellbeing of students learning virtually are Mental Health America (MHA) of Lancaster County and the Department of Education and Liberal Arts at Ashford University. Both websites …
Cyberattack – Not “if” but “when”
By Brian Owen, CPCU, Executive Vice President, Client Services and Ommie Rivera, Chief Information Officer Paying ransoms in ransomware attacks has always been controversial, but now it may be considered illegal by the US Department of Treasury according to SiliconANGLE.com. The argument is that at times, paying ransom to obtain core business files is worth it. However, conversely, does paying ransom encourage future attacks? Every situation is different and insurance policies are not created equally so there isn’t a one size fits all answer to a cyber breach. While coverage is important, partnering with experienced professionals you trust can be more important. Look for experts with established best practices to help your company weather the lifecycle of an incident. Murray represents …
Pumpkin Farming – From Field to Front Porch
By Liz Froment for Westfield Insurance Heading out to the local pumpkin patch and picking out a few choice pumpkins for Halloween is a tried-and-true fall activity. But did you know that pumpkin farmers work hard all summer to ensure you’ve got the perfect jack-o-lantern to scare those trick-or-treaters? If you’ve ever been curious how to grow pumpkins, keep reading.
Coping with pandemic anxiety
By Michael Diller, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist and Director, Employee Assistance Program, WellSpan The ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic is taking a toll on the emotional and psychological wellbeing of Americans. The National Institute for Health Care Management reports symptoms of anxiety have tripled from 8.1% to 25.5% from 2019 to 2020, and depression symptoms have almost quadrupled from 6.5% to 24.3% in that same time period. In late June, 2020, 75% of 18-to-24 year old respondents reported having at least one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom. Strategies of building resilience and engaging in self-care is of utmost importance to cope with the rise in anxiety and depression, particularly experienced during the last six to seven months. The big question …