Michael Stoop is the president of Metropolitan Risk Advisory. He leads a team of smart & proactive risk advisors whose acumen and protocols yield a substantive outcome for their customers. The goal is to achieve a cost efficiency and cost consistency that better positions them for growth and continuity in their native markets. Michael has been in the industry for over 20 years.
Ski Lift Accident at Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Maine
Skiers riding a chair lift at Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Carrabasset Valley, Maine fell 20-30 feet to the un-groomed snowy ground. Around 8 people, 3 of them children, were not seriously injured but were sent to the hospital. The 35 year old double chairlift fell off track, causing a line of chairs holding passengers to fall and leaving 150 other skiers suspended in the air for over an hour until they were rescued and brought down by patrols. There were high winds, around 40mph that day and the resort did not operate the lift that morning. However, it seemed safe enough to operate later on. The lift is due for replacement; it opened in 1975 and was adjusted and repaired in 1983. It also passed the 2010 inspection and each of the mountains’ lifts are inspected each day. Sugarloaf Ski Resort officials said the lift would be replaced and the resort will install a larger quad lift that is less vulnerable to the wind. The resort officials refused to mention when that lift replacement would actually happen. The lift is undergoing further investigation to discover the cause of the derailment.
You can never be too confident about safety. Although no one was hurt in this case, that does not mean the next time something similar to this incident will be the same. The resort is most likely dealing with many liability insurance companies and business insurance companies as we speak. If you are a business owner and have customers and workers, they are most likely at a risk of some sort of safety or hazard. Again, you can never be too sure and assume no one will ever become ill or seriously injured. There are agencies you can contact to inquire about your business’ insurance, general liability insurance, or worker’s compensation insurance.
Launching a new restaurant in Manhattan is more difficult than you can imagine. New restaurant entrepreneurs have discovered how frustrating it can be trying to receive numerous and seemingly never ending permits, certifications, registrations, and licesnses. Even after the restaurant is up and running, there is always the issue of sanitation, regulations, and liabilities as well as regular inspections. There are four inspections, plan supervisors, examiners, and permits issued by the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, Fire, and Buildings. Operating a restaurant is more difficult and now more expensive. Changes are being made to add more employment and stress small business growth. The New Business Acceleration Team is helping new restaurant entrepreneurs with the restaurant planning and launching process.
As any business owner, you must remember to protect your employees as well as your customers from any hazards. Following safety and health regulations and procedures will reduce injuries and illnesses. Metropolitan Risk Advisory specializes in protecting mid-size businesses by finding solutions to manage risks and reduce costs linked to risks and insurance risks. We can help businesses with New York workers comp insurance, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn business liability insurance, Westchester, Hudson, New Jersey workers comp insurance, Union County workers comp insurance, NY business insurance, general liability insurance in New York, agencies for workers comp insurance, business general liability coverage and more.
A roofing contractor in Andover, Massachussets violated OSHA regulations of fall and scaffolding hazards. Employees were found on the job without fall prevention and protection, proper equipment, using unsafe procedures, and discovered a lack of safety training. The most common cause of death in construction is a fall. Risks must be eliminated and safety procedures must be taught and used at all times. The roofing contractor is fined $23,000 for five violations and $18,500 for two repeat violations.
It is very important to protect your employees and your business. You risk losing a life and increasing your experience modification factor. If you have any concerns about New York business insurance, New Jersey business insurance, general liability insurance in New York, general liability insurance in New Jersey, workers compensation insurance, or business insurance quotes, don’t hesitate to contact Metropolitan Risk Advisory.
This December’s snow storm literally froze over New York City and it’s surrounding areas. The usual hustle and bustle of taxis, buses, subways, trains, and crowds of commuters rushing to work and sightseers, and the after Christmas shoppers were no where to be seen. The city was deserted. Many people complained about the lack of plowing and coordination. Why was the city unable to function during and after this blizzard when life and the city’s ordinary activities were unaffected in past blizzards? The city roads are divided into 3 categories: arterial, secondary, and tertiary. Arterial streets are main roads where buses pass and are plowed first. Secondary roads connect to the arterial streets. Tertiary streets are residential streets which are narrow and may be curved, and are lowest on the plowing agenda. Roads are also numbered by priority. These roads are reviewed every year by the sanitation districts. Before the storm was in full force, 365 salt spreaders hit the streets, 1,700 garbage trucks with plow shovels started working as soon as 2 inches accumulated. Usually the secondary streets would have been plowed, but the wind and snowdrifts kept the plows on the arterial streets. Abandoned cars and other obstacles made plowing difficult and caused some trucks to become stuck. Plowing the secondary streets caused plows many problems because of the massive amount of snow; there was no where to push the snow. About 900 day laborers were hired in preparation for this snow storm to shovel sideways and bus stops and extra help was hired to operate dump trucks and other heavy machinery.
This may be the last blizzard of the year, but it’s still the very beginning of the Winter season. If no workers were injured on the job this past weekend, don’t assume that no one can seriously injure him/herself the next time a blizzard or even a small snow dusting occurs. It’s important to make sure you follow the Occupation Safety and Health regulations to prevent risks to your workers and to protect your business’ experience mod., finances, and reputation. If you are unsure of your risks, have questions about your New York General Liability Coverage, New York Business Insurance, New Jersey General Liability Coverage, or New Jersey Business Insurance, contact Metropolitan Risk Advisory.
Companies Responsible for Oil Spill are Being Sued for Damages
BPand 8 other oil companies which include Anandarko Petroleum, MOEX, Transocean, and others who are responsible for the huge oil spill disaster back in April are being sued, fined, and penalized for billions of dollars for the natural resource damage that the spill caused. The oil rig caught fire and sank to the ocean floor, killing eleven workers and releasing millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf Sea for four months until the well was sealed. The oil companies violated safety and precautionary regulations, failing to use safe drilling equipment, and their disregard to cement which was a factor that caused the spill. BP agreed to a twenty billion dollar endowment to pay all the legal claims. Transocean rejected the responsibility, claiming that they followed procedures, blueprints, and calculations given by BP that fed. directors accepted. Transocean and Andarko Petroleum blame BP who is the owner of the oil rig. MOEX had no responsibility in authorizing the activities of the well. The oil spill may have been stopped, but the debt and repercussions of the companies’ safety and procedural negligence will last for many years after the event. Following occupational safety and health standards is important and should not be forgotten as a priority. There are agencies in New York and New Jersey to help your business evaluate your risks and find solutions to mitigate potential dangers and events. Business insurance agencies can help manage your finances by viewing your worker compensation insurance policy, and business general liability coverage.
On Saturday, December 18, 2010, advocates won the Republican support of the September 11th health bill. Approximately 7.4 billion dollars will be allocated to medical care for workers and those who became sick from toxic fumes and debris at ground zero in 2001. The bill was previously named the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act and required 3.2 billion dollars over years to treat and follow injuries that resulted from the 9/11 event. NYC agreed to pay ten percent of the health expenses and the bill reserved 4.2 billion dollars to reinstate the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund that compensated for economic and job loss. The costs can be covered by proposed federal fees approved by the Republican party. There is a great effort to pass the bill before Christmas. If you have concerns about your business’ worker compensation insurance, general liability insurance in New York, general liability insurance in New Jersey, or looking for an agency for workers compensation insurance and general liability coverage, don’t hesitate to contact Metropolitan Risk Advisoryto help you solve your issues and answer your questions.
Over 1 million American citizens with the controversial limited health plan or the mini-med policy believe they have a health plan that will financially support them if the unthinkable happens and they become seriously sick or injured. Unfortunately, the health insurance doesn’t. Some health insurance isn’t better than having no insurance, it’s actually worse because people have misleading expectations and false assurance; they don’t realize how limiting the coverage is.
Opponents of the new health care plan are fighting to change some of the early conditions of the law. Administration members who passed the health plan law believe that the benefits in the new health care plan were better than nothing but will create more extensive plans by 2014.
Large companies such as McDonald’s sought a waiver (which only lasts one year) from the new health plan law to continue providing plans that offer at least $2,000/year in benefits. These older plans are more affordable for many of the part time and low wage earning employees.
Health insurance companies such as Aetna and Cigna don’t clarify what is covered or not covered. Some health plans actually cover less than the amount they claim they cover and have fine print that limits the price of doctor’s visits or hospital stays. These patients can become dangerously ill or injured as well as deep in debt. Health benefits and policies are very complex. Both Aetna and Cigna are trying to improve customer understanding and inform patients what they are buying, what benefits and coverage is included before purchasing a plan.
People who are uninsured may be at an advantage over those who have the limited health plan and can seek large discounts or free care from the hospital.
If you are an employer who purchases NY Health Insurance or NJ Health Insurance, you should probably call up your health insurance company and go through your employee coverage. Business insurance quotes, business general liability coverage, New York business insurance, General liability insurance in New York, Workers compensation insurance Queens, Brooklyn business liability insurance, agencies for workers compensation insurance, and business insurance agencies will be affected.
Stainless Steel Manufacturer in Rochester’s Repeat Health and Safety Violations
Cannon Industries in Buffalo, New York is penalized for repeat dangerous violations of work site safety regulations and must pay fines up to $71,000. The company breached standards for hazardous energy control, electrical, and machine hazards. Cannon Industries failed to train employees safety procedures and precautions. Machine power sources must be locked and isolated while being worked on or serviced to prevent and reduce risks. Other violations OSHA found include the lack of lifting capacity signs and other warning labels on steel lifting slings, lack of regular inspections, misuse of electrical equipment, unguarded machines, and uncovered electrical conductors.
The steel manufacturing company has 15 business days after receiving its citations to comply to respond by meeting with the director or the commission of OSHA.
If you’re concerned about business Insurance in New York, general liability insurance in New York, or need to find a business insurance agency, Metropolitan Risk Advisory can find solutions to your issues.
OSHA Fines NY’s David H. Koch Theatre $51,000 for Asbestos and Hazards
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ David H. Koch Theatreis fined $51,000 for repeat and dangerous work site health and safety violations. The main hazard is fall and crushing dangers and asbestos which workers have complained about. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration discovered that theatre employees were not notified of asbestos exposure; there were no warning signs. The OSHA inspection identified an emergency exit door that was unable to open and unmounted fire extinguisher. The theater had been fined for the same or related violations in the past five years. The inspections also discovered other conditions that pose a risk to the employees. Employees can drop into the orchestra pit when the stage is elevated over the pit and can also risk getting stuck or worse, getting crushed when the stage collapses back down to the pit. The theatre also has temporary wiring in the promenade area. These three violations result in $6,000 in fines and can cause serious injuries or fatalities.
A solution to reduce work site dangers is to create a health and safety program to prevent injury. Management as well as employees work together to recognize and remove hazards on a regular basis.
If you’re worrying about your general liability insurance in New Jersey or New York; Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Hudson County, or Union County, we may have solutions to reduce risks and save you a ton of money you didn’t know you were losing!
