News and Events - July 2010

Combined Ratio Climbs 17 Points In 2009
The rapid decline in earned premiums in California's workers' comp market pushed carrier's combined ratio well into the triple digits last year, ultimately clocking in at 118.2, according to preliminary data from the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. State Compensation Insurance Fund ended 2009 with a combined ratio of 161.5. The uptick came as earned premium in the state continued to fall, reaching a nine-year low of $9.1 billion before deductibles were applied.

Workers' Comp Premium Plunges for Fifth Year in a Row 

California's workers' comp total direct written premium declined by almost 10% in 2009 down to $6.9 billion from $7.6 billion in 2008, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The latest figure is in sharp contrast to where the market was just five years earlier at a whopping $16.1 billion. Since then premium volume has shrunk by $9.2 billion.

• July Newsletter - “Number of Flaggers” Rules Revised CAL/OSHA has revised traffic safety rules for flaggers. The revised Construction Safety Orders, §1599, are effective June 24, 2010. The new regulation not only covers road construction workers in “The Cone Zone” but other workers such as landscaper workers and related trades of construction.
  Weekend Warrior/Do It Yourselfers Take Note In a recent issue of Professional Safety, published by the American Society of Safety Engineers, was an article for us weekend warriors aka do it yourselfers. It was written by the folks at Underwriters Laboratories.
  
  
• June Newsletter - SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT NEWS
  Power Mower Proposal - The Cal/OSHA Standards Board has proposed changes in the “Regulations” for ride-on power mowers with regards to municipalities and preventing workers from tumbling into water hazards, down slopes,etc.
  Owner and Foreman Indicted in 2008 Worker’s Fourth Floor Fall - Recently, according to Cal-OSHA Reporter, an owner and foreman of a San Francisco based roofing company were arrested and indicted by the county grand jury for involuntary manslaughter following the death of an employee on the job.
  

Risk & Safety Management Calendar July 2010