If your employees are using their own vehicles to support your business operations, for instance shifting their responsibilities to include driving deliveries of your products to clients, your current insurance policy may not provide appropriate coverage. Use the checklist below to help you screen and onboard employees into driver roles.

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The right candidate for your next job opening might be a person with neurodivergence&mdash;and you shouldn&rsquo;t hesitate to hire them.
&ldquo;Neurodivergence&rdquo; is a non-medical umbrella term that describes &ldquo;the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one &lsquo;right&rsquo; way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits,&rdquo; according to Nicole Baumer and Julia Frueh in an article for Harvard Health Publishing.1
Well-known forms of neurodivergence include dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with neurodivergence often possess highly desirable employee attributes, including those that make them particularly desirable insurance sector candidates.
For instance, people with dyslexia are often creative thinkers who have strong entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills, making them well-suited for such roles as insurance agents and brokers, according to GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity).2 In addition, GAIN says that:
<ul>
<li>People with ASD are often analytical thinkers with strong attention to detail, which could make them gifted actuaries and loss adjusters.</li>
<li>People with ADHD are good at multi-tasking and working under pressure, so they&rsquo;re often ideal project leaders and underwriters.</li>
<li>People with dyspraxia are problem solvers with good oral and interpersonal skills, so they&rsquo;re well suited to roles such as support services, insurance agents and financial advisors.3</li>
</ul>
However, when it comes to employment, there may be a few accommodations needed to set both the organization and the neurodivergent individual up for success. Leaders should seek to educate themselves about hiring and accommodating these individuals and even consider enlisting outside help.
<h4>Getting started</h4>
If you don&rsquo;t know where to start, there are plenty of resources and tools that can help. For example, <a href="https://readywillingable.ca/">Ready, Willing and Able (RWA)</a> is a national organization &ldquo;designed to increase the labour force participation of people with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.&rdquo;4
RWA is funded by the federal government in partnership with <a href="https://inclusioncanada.ca/">Inclusion Canada</a> (formerly the Canadian Association for Community Living) and <a href="https://autismalliance.ca/">Autism Alliance of Canada</a> (formerly Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance), along with their member organizations. RWA can help with education, hiring and ongoing support.
The Inclusive Workplace is an RWA initiative that provides education, resources and tools for businesses and employment agencies, as well as employees with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.5
<h4>Accommodating neurodiversity</h4>
There&rsquo;s no one-size-fits-all approach in accommodating neurodiversity. Since each person is unique, their required accommodations will be, too. Start by asking how they prefer you address their neurodiversity. Some prefer person-first language, such as &ldquo;a person with autism,&rdquo; while others prefer identity-first language, such as &ldquo;an autistic person.&rdquo;6
Also ask how you can accommodate them. For example, if an autistic person has sensory sensitivity, they may request noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions&mdash;and to feel psychologically safe. Other accommodations could include offering a wider range of resources and tools, revising the hiring and/or onboarding process, enacting policies to create a more inclusive work environment, or supporting a more tailored career path through specific learning and development opportunities.
<h4>Revising the hiring process</h4>
Looking for neurodiverse talent begins with casting a wider net for candidates. That means looking beyond traditional schools and employment agencies to include organizations directly connected with the neurodivergent community.
Neurodivergent individuals may process information differently, so job descriptions should use plain language, focus on the essential skills for the job and state the brokerage&rsquo;s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Job applications should use short, simple questions, and leave room for candidates to include additional information. In some cases, a portfolio or work example might be a better accommodation than a written description of experience.7
Job interviews should be held in spaces that are free of distractions and, if possible, multiple interviews on the same day should be avoided. A candidate may wish to bring a job coach, and it might be more suitable to demonstrate their ability to perform job tasks rather than describe this verbally.
<h4>Making small changes</h4>
Often, it takes only small changes to make workplaces more inclusive and conducive. For example, sensory sensitivities could be addressed by providing accommodations like noise-cancelling headphones, adjustable lighting, a private vs. open concept office space or allowing for several short breaks to manage sensory and emotional overload.
Leaders should communicate clearly, provide instructions both verbally and in writing, and give regular, constructive feedback. Peer or team support, mentoring, social skills training and job coaching can help neurodivergent employees develop stronger social and/or job skills&mdash;and help them climb the corporate ladder in step with their neurotypical peers.
Many of these accommodations require very few resources to implement. In return, organizations will benefit from diverse viewpoints and approaches while gaining employees with valuable skillsets.
&nbsp;
<h4>Sources:</h4>
1 Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd, and Julie French, MD; &ldquo;What is neurodiversity?&rdquo; (Harvard Health Publishing, Nov. 23, 2021). <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645">https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645</a>
2 &ldquo;Neurodiversity is essential to every insurance team&rdquo; (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity, accessed Jan. 14, 2024). <a href="https://www.gaintogether.org/what-we-do.html">https://www.gaintogether.org/what-we-do.html</a>
3 &ldquo;Neurodiversity is essential to every insurance team&rdquo; (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity, accessed Jan. 14, 2024). <a href="https://www.gaintogether.org/what-we-do.html">https://www.gaintogether.org/what-we-do.html</a>
4 &ldquo;Who We Are&rdquo; (Ready, Willing &amp; Able, accessed Jan. 14, 2024). <a href="https://readywillingable.ca/about/">https://readywillingable.ca/about/</a>
5 &ldquo;Latest Resources&rdquo; (The Inclusive Workplace, accessed Jan. 14, 2024). <a href="https://theinclusiveworkplace.ca/en/home">https://theinclusiveworkplace.ca/en/home</a>
6 &ldquo;Identity-First Language&rdquo; (Autistic Self Advocacy Network, accessed Jan. 14, 2024). <a href="https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/">https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/</a>
7 Michael Leopold; &ldquo;How to Optimize Job Descriptions for Neurodivergent Job Seekers&rdquo; (SHRM, March 23, 2023). <a href="https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/inclusion-equity-diversity/how-to-optimize-job-descriptions-neurodivergent-job-seekers">https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/inclusion-equity-diversity/how-to-optimize-job-descriptions-neurodivergent-job-seekers</a>

How brokerages and their insurance company peers can support neurodiversity

Purpose And Impact

On any given day, construction workers face dangerous situations, whether they&rsquo;re working at heights, being exposed to environmental hazards, or operating heavy machinery. In a sector with inherent risks, keeping employees safe is job No. 1 for construction companies.
Today, new technologies are reshaping &ndash; and even revolutionizing &ndash; safety on construction sites. With the right digital investments, construction companies can elevate their safety measures, helping to keep workers out of harm&rsquo;s way and prevent costly downtime.
Here&rsquo;s a look at three game-changing tech solutions that can make construction sites safer:
1. Wearables that monitor workers&rsquo; health and watch for outside hazards.
Essential safety gear like hard hats and work boots have gotten an upgrade with wearable technology. Wearables can track workers&rsquo; health, detect environmental hazards, locate workers in the event of an accident, and more.1
For example, smart hard hats are equipped with sensors that can detect dangerous levels of noise, gases, or other safety issues, and alert the wearer through sound or visual signals. Some models have built-in navigation systems to help workers safely find their way around a job site.2
Smart boots are equipped with pressure-detection sensors that can detect falls or shocks sustained by workers and call for help automatically.3 With GPS technology, smart boots can also track the wearer&rsquo;s location in case of an accident, so emergency personnel can reach them quickly. Some models of smart boots illuminate with LEDs to help make it safer to work in the dark.4
Another valuable safety tool for construction workers is smartwatches, which can track and monitor various health indicators. For example, heart-rate monitoring can detect signs of fatigue and let users know if it&rsquo;s time to take a break.5
2. For big heights and tight spots, send in the drones.
With an ability to spot safety hazards and perform risky human tasks, drones are becoming an indispensable safety tool. These crewless, aerial vehicles can go extremely high and navigate tight spots, while taking high-quality images and videos. When drones are deployed, construction workers who might normally do inspections at great heights, or climb scaffolding to take measurements, can stay safely on the ground.6,7
Drones can also be used to survey large construction sites for hazards to ensure worker safety. For example, thermal-imaging sensors attached to drones can detect and notify workers of gas leaks and other harmful chemicals on the site.8 
In addition to protecting workers, drones can be used to provide surveillance to help keep sites secure. For example, thermal imaging can prevent unauthorized people from entering a job site. The drone can send an alert if it detects someone going where they shouldn&rsquo;t. The location of tools and materials can also be verified remotely, allowing construction companies to identify unauthorized activity on a project.9,10
3. AI (Artificial Intelligence) and analytics make equipment maintenance predictive.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making inroads across many industries &ndash; and construction is no exception. One revolutionary use of this technology is predictive equipment maintenance, which offers significant advantages over the traditional approach of preventative maintenance. Rather than repair machines on a predetermined schedule, predictive maintenance uses a data-driven approach. This helps companies address potential failures before they occur &ndash; a game-changer since equipment failures can pose significant safety risks to workers on construction sites.11
AI-enabled equipment can analyze large amounts of data, and predict and detect equipment failures, with the help of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors integrated into the machinery. Pressure or temperature sensors collect real-time information about equipment, tracking features that could indicate performance issues. AI analyzes the data and looks for indications that something could go wrong. It also alerts users if it detects an issue.12,13
AI can also facilitate proactive maintenance. Equipment data can be analyzed to determine the best time for maintenance tasks, considering factors such as usage patterns, operating conditions, and historical performance.14 For example, by applying machine learning to historical patterns, AI might deduce that a specific bearing on a crane&rsquo;s motor is likely to malfunction within a certain time frame. An alert lets the maintenance team rectify the issue because it leads to a significant breakdown or safety incident.15
While technology alone can&rsquo;t solve every safety issue on a construction site, it has an increasingly significant role to play. Companies that embrace new solutions will make strides towards building a safer environment for their hard-working crew members.
&nbsp;
Sources 
1,6,8Nearby Engineers, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.ny-engineers.com/blog/how-technology-is-making-construction-safer">How Technology is Making Construction Safer</a>&rdquo; 2,3,5 DOZR, &ldquo;<a href="https://dozr.com/blog/wearable-technologies-in-construction">The Best Wearable Technologies For Construction Workers</a>,&rdquo; Dec. 29, 2022 4 Openwage, &ldquo;<a href="https://openwage.com/wearable-technology-promoting-health-in-construction/">Wearable technology: Promoting health in construction</a>,&rdquo; Sept. 30, 2022 7,9 Go Codes, &ldquo;<a href="https://gocodes.com/iot-improving-construction-safety/">6 Ways IoT Improves Construction Safety</a>&rdquo; 10 Fluix, &ldquo;<a href="https://fluix.io/blog/benefits-using-drones-construction">7 Benefits of Using Drones in Construction</a>,&rdquo; Dec. 22, 2022 11,12 Utilities One, &ldquo;<a href="https://utilitiesone.com/the-impact-of-predictive-analytics-on-construction-equipment-maintenance">The Impact of Predictive Analytics on Construction Equipment Maintenance</a>,&rdquo; Oct. 8, 2023 13 Innovation &amp; Tech Today, &ldquo;<a href="https://innotechtoday.com/how-can-ai-enabled-construction-equipment-improve-sites/">How Can AI-Enabled Construction Equipment Improve Sites</a>?&rdquo; 14 Utilities One, &ldquo;<a href="https://utilitiesone.com/the-role-of-artificial-intelligence-in-construction-equipment-maintenance">The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Construction Equipment Maintenance</a>,&rdquo; Oct. 11, 2023&nbsp; 15&nbsp; The National Law Review, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.natlawreview.com/article/future-construction-ai-and-predictive-maintenance-part-1">The Future of Construction: AI and Predictive Maintenance Part 1</a>,&rdquo; July 25, 2023

3 tech solutions to improve construction site safety 

Hot Topics

Managing Risk

Lithium batteries power many parts of everyday life. They&rsquo;re increasingly used in everything from smartphones and scooters to power tools and machinery. On a larger scale, they&rsquo;re used in energy-storage systems that provide backup electricity for utilities companies and commercial facilities.
While lithium-ion batteries provide many benefits &ndash; they have long lifespans, provide constant power, and are lightweight, to name just a few &ndash; they also pose a risk of fire and explosion.1
As the use of lithium-ion batteries becomes more widespread, and facilities increasingly rely on them for their own power supplies, companies need to take a close look at how to protect themselves.
To get started, here is an overview of lithium batteries, the risks they present, and how to mitigate them:
<h4>What are lithium batteries?</h4>
The term &ldquo;lithium battery&rdquo; refers to one or more lithium cells that are electrically connected. Lithium cells store and release power by converting chemical energy into electrical energy using lithium ions or lithium metal.2 
Lithium metal batteries are generally non-rechargeable and are often used in consumer products like calculators, pacemakers, remote car locks, and watches.3 Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and are used in devices such as mobile phones, electric vehicles, laptops, and power tools, as well as materials-handling equipment like forklifts.4,5
<h4>What are the risks?</h4>
Lithium-ion batteries are generally safe but, like any energy storage device, they pose health and safety risks. Thermal runaway &ndash; a process that can cause overheating &ndash; is often considered the greatest hazard related to lithium-ion batteries.6
With thermal runaway, the temperature and pressure inside the battery cells increase faster than the heat can be dissipated. This can happen for many reasons, such as external heat sources (for example, open flames and heaters), short circuits, or damage to the battery. 7 Damage can occur by physical impact (for example, being dropped or punctured), improper charging, or exposure to certain temperatures (hot temperatures and below freezing).8
Thermal runaway may result in the release of corrosive, flammable, and toxic liquids, and gases, which can be harmful to people. Fire or explosion can be caused by the intense heat and flammable liquids and gases from the battery.9
<h4>How can facilities with limited amounts of lithium-ion use and storage mitigate risks?</h4>
Reducing risks related to lithium-ion batteries requires a comprehensive look at proper use, storage, transportation, disposal, and more. Here are just a few recommendations:
<ul>
<li>Lithium-ion batteries should be stored at charge levels below 50%. Fully charged batteries have a higher energy density and greater risk of generating significant heat from short-circuiting due to internal defects. Batteries should also be stored at temperatures between four and 27 degrees Celsius.10 </li>
<li>Establish minimum distances between battery charging stations and any combustible materials. Stations for charging large-format batteries should be separated from other combustibles by at least three feet. Small-format batteries, like the ones used in power tools, should be set on a firm surface, and separated from combustibles by at least one foot.11</li>
<li>Regularly inspect batteries for signs of damage, such as bulging/cracking, hissing, leaking, or rising temperature. If there are signs of damage, safely remove the battery from service and discard in a fire-resistant bin, separate from other waste batteries.12,13</li>
<li>Make sure your workplace&rsquo;s ventilation and fire protection systems comply with applicable legislation, including building codes and fire codes, as well as occupational health and safety regulations.14</li>
</ul>
<h4>What are battery energy storage systems?</h4>
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind power, to be stored and then released when the power is needed most, for example, during a weather-related outage. Lithium-ion batteries are the technology of choice for large-scale plants to help electricity grids ensure a reliable supply of renewable energy.15
In Canada, this emerging technology is part of governments&rsquo; plan for more clean energy. For example, a new battery storage project in Ontario &ndash; Oneida Energy &ndash; aims to help the province have a &ldquo;reliable, affordable and clean electricity supply.&rdquo; The storage facility will draw and store electricity off-peak and return the power to the electric grid when electricity demand is higher.16
There are promising uses for BESS in the commercial sector as well. Commercial buildings and factories can set up their own energy-storage systems to provide power during outages and to lower electricity costs. Cost savings are achieved when a business draws energy from the grid for battery storage when hourly costs are low, and then uses that stored energy when grid costs are high (a concept called &ldquo;peak shaving&rdquo;).17 McKinsey &amp; Company believes BESS has the potential to reduce energy costs by up to 80%.18
<h4>What are the risks of battery energy storage systems?</h4>
Fires caused by thermal runaway is the chief concern with battery energy storage systems. This can be caused by physical damage, manufacturing defects, improper use, and excessively hot storage temperatures. Storing large amounts of batteries together makes this situation more dangerous. The fire caused by a single battery can create a chain reaction of battery failure, which can lead to an explosion if enough batteries fail and produce heat and gas.19
<h4>How can organizations mitigate risks?</h4>
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and other expert organizations provide numerous standards, guidelines, and recommendations for battery energy storage systems. Companies are encouraged to consult comprehensive resources such as <a href="https://www.nfpa.org/product/nfpa-855-standard/p0855code">NFPA 855</a> (Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage System and <a href="https://ulse.org/news/ulse-publish">UL 9540</a> (Standard for Safety of Energy Storage Systems and Equipment), as well as information from their insurance partners and other experts.
Here are just a few recommendations to prevent fires:
<ul>
<li>One early intervention is a battery management system (BMS), which can prevent damage to the battery cells due to overcharging. A BMS also calculates the charge remaining on the battery, monitors the temperature, and monitors for short-circuits and faulty connections. If the system detects any abnormalities, it shuts the battery down, which protects the cells from damage. A gas detection system can also be employed to shut down faulty cells, activate a ventilation system, and sound alarms.20</li>
<li>Thermal imaging can be used to monitor the battery cells and prevent thermal runaway. Thermal cameras allow operators to detect temperatures in real time and quickly identify any issues. Thermal imaging is also a useful tool for detecting manufacturing defects in lithium-ion batteries. For example, a hot spot in the battery cell may indicate a defect that&rsquo;s causing the battery to generate excess heat. Early detection allows corrective action to be taken.21</li>
</ul>
See: <a href="https://www.sovereigninsurance.ca/advice-and-tools/managing-risk/risk-resilient-thermal-imaging">Risk Resilient: Thermal Imaging: Electrical &amp; Mechanical Applications</a>
<ul>
<li>To prevent large and lengthy fires, NFPA 855 requires energy storage systems to be grouped into small segments and spaced apart. Since battery energy storage systems typically consist of multiple vertical racks, the aim is to contain the fire to a single rack through proper spacing, as well as the installation of a sprinkler system.22</li>
</ul>
See: <a href="https://www.sovereigninsurance.ca/advice-and-tools/managing-risk/fire-safety-plan">What should be included in your fire safety plan?</a>
<ul>
<li>Develop an emergency response plan specifically for lithium-ion fires. These fires have unique attributes and are difficult to extinguish and sometimes need to just burn out. Water or foam may appear to put out fires quickly, but they can reignite as breached cells are met with oxygen. It&rsquo;s advisable to keep sprinklers running and move batteries to safe burnout areas.23</li>
</ul>
While the chance of a fire related to lithium-ion batteries is low when guidelines and best practices are followed, there are no guarantees. Reach out to your broker or insurance partner for guidance on how to best protect your facility.
&nbsp;
Sources 
1 Schumacher Electric, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.schumacherelectric.com/blog/the-benefits-of-lithium-ion-batteries/">The Benefits of Lithium-ion Batteries</a>,&rdquo; May 5, 2023
2,12 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), &ldquo;<a href="https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/shib011819.pdf">Preventing Fire and/or Explosion Injury from Small and Wearable Lithium Battery Powered Devices</a>,&rdquo; June 20, 2019
3,4 Transport Canada, &ldquo;<a href="https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/tc/T86-30-2016-eng.pdf">Transportation of Dangerous Goods: Did You Know That Lithium Batteries Are Dangerous Goods?</a>&rdquo; March 2016
5 Modern Materials Handling, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.mmh.com/article/where_lithium_batteries_will_make_gains">Where lithium batteries will make gains</a>,&rdquo; Oct. 4, 2022 
6,8,9,14 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), &ldquo;<a href="https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/battery-charging-lithium-ion-batteries.html">Battery Charging &ndash; Lithium-ion Batteries</a>&rdquo;
7 Safety Skills: An HSI Company, &ldquo;<a href="https://safetyskills.com/lithium-batteries/">Lithium Batteries: Safe Handling, Storage and Disposal</a>&rdquo;
10,11,13 T&Uuml;V S&Uuml;D, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.tuvsud.com/en-us/-/media/regions/us/pdf-files/whitepaper-report-e-books/tuvsud-lithium-ion-battery-storage-and-handling-white-paper.pdf">Protecting Your Facility From Lithium-Ion Battery-Related Fires &amp; Explosions</a>&rdquo;
15 National Grid, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-battery-storage">What is battery storage</a>?&rdquo;
16 Government of Canada, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2023/02/governments-of-canada-and-ontario-working-together-to-build-largest-electricity-battery-storage-project-in-canada0.html">Governments of Canada and Ontario Working Together to Build Largest Electricity Battery Storage Project in Canada</a>&rdquo;
17 Daily Commercial News, &ldquo;<a href="https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/technology/2023/04/inside-innovation-battery-storage-for-commercial-buildings-comes-into-its-own">Inside Innovation: Battery storage for commercial buildings comes into its own</a>,&rdquo; April 19, 2023
18 McKinsey &amp; Company, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/enabling-renewable-energy-with-battery-energy-storage-systems">Enabling renewable energy with battery energy storage systems</a>,&rdquo; Aug. 2, 2023
19 &nbsp;Control Fire Systems, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.controlfiresystems.com/services/battery-energy-storage-fire-suppression-systems">Battery Energy Storage Systems Fire Suppression</a>&rdquo;&nbsp; 
20 StatX, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.statx.com/whitepaper/fire-suppression-battery-energy-storage-systems/">Fire Suppression in Battery Energy Storage Systems</a>&rdquo;
21 MoviTherm, &ldquo;<a href="https://movitherm.com/knowledgebase/understanding-the-risks-of-fire-in-battery-storages/">Ensuring Safety in Lithium-ion Battery Storages</a>&rdquo;
22 National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Journal, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/nfpa-journal/2020/01/01/nfpa-13-january">NFPA 855 and sprinkler protection for energy storage systems</a>,&rdquo; Jan. 1, 2020&nbsp;
23 T&Uuml;V S&Uuml;D, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.tuvsud.com/en-us/resource-centre/stories/lithium-ion-battery-fires-myth-vs-reality">Lithium-ion Battery Fires: Myth vs. Reality</a>&rdquo;

Lithium-ion batteries: Safe handling and storage

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##Title##

tools-dynamic

A new driver (Sandy) has just started work at a medium sized transportation company. Just two weeks in, she&rsquo;s overwhelmed by the new systems and routes that she needs to learn and, after a momentary lapse in concentration, Sandy collides with a stationery vehicle. Although she&rsquo;s not seriously harmed, she&rsquo;s shaken and will be kept off the road for a couple of weeks. Fortunately, Sandy will fully recover and there were no other injuries; the transportation truck on the other hand is badly damaged and the company is at risk of not being able to fulfill some critical service commitments.
Sandy&rsquo;s employer faces a slew of costs associated with the collision and finding a replacement driver to cover her routes while she&rsquo;s off recuperating. The insurance policy will cover some of the loss but without a doubt the company will be out of pocket. This is an unfortunate sequence of events to be suffered by a medium-sized transportation company.
It would be easy to conclude that this type of loss is just the cost of doing business for a transportation company. But it doesn&rsquo;t have to be. Sandy&rsquo;s employer could have reduced the potential of an accident happening by providing Sandy with more training, but they were short-sighted and eager to get her out on the road as soon as possible. Rather than spending time on new driver orientation training and activities, the management team wanted her clocking up the miles on the road. They didn&rsquo;t appreciate the importance of investing in their drivers to avoid this type of early employment accident.
&ldquo;Fleets with drivers that have the right training, tools, equipment, attitude and employer support positively impact their own on road performance. Automobile insurance pricing favors fleets that invest in these areas.&rdquo;
Experienced fleet managers know that their insurance policy, no matter how comprehensive, is a secondary line of defence. Being proactive and mitigating risks before they happen is how you build a resilient business. If Sandy&rsquo;s employer had taken such an approach, she likely would still be on the road, the vehicle would be undamaged and the company wouldn&rsquo;t be facing a potentially costly loss. In the transportation industry, we know it&rsquo;s so important to think ahead because you&rsquo;re dealing with situations like Sandy&rsquo;s every day.
&ldquo;One of the most effective measures is investing in your drivers,&rdquo; explains Boyd Cooley, Commercial Underwriting Manager at Sovereign Insurance. &ldquo;Carefully screening new driver hires is also critical. You want to have the right person with the right attitude behind the wheel.&rdquo;
Training drivers to operate vehicles as safely as possible - and providing guidance on defensive driving - is so important. Drivers may have a clean record with no prior collisions, but it&rsquo;s vital they receive ongoing training and education to enable them to perform at a higher standard.
&ldquo;A better prepared fleet operator is a better insurance risk,&rdquo; says Cooley. &ldquo;Fleets with drivers that have the right training, tools, equipment, attitude and employer support positively impact their own on road performance. Automobile insurance pricing favors fleets that invest in these areas.&rdquo;
The benefits for an organization that adopts a proactive approach to risk mitigation are clear. From improved driver morale and insurance savings to more miles being covered due to fewer accidents, forwarding thinking companies are better positioned to attract and retain good drivers and at the same time boost organizational profits.
For companies that don&rsquo;t invest their time in implementing risk mitigation best practices, the consequences are wide ranging. &ldquo;The risks are serious; from the safety of your employees and the public at large, to financial business risk threatening the viability of your operation,&rdquo; says Cooley. &ldquo;Fleets that don&rsquo;t invest in risk management may find insurance coverage prohibitively expensive or even unavailable. Fleet operators have a lot at stake and need to be proactively managing their risk. At Sovereign, our Fleet Underwriting and Risk Assessment Specialists are here to help.&rdquo;
Here are some helpful tips for creating a culture that promotes safe driving: 
<ul>
<li>Educate drivers on safe and defensive driving techniques from day one</li>
<li>Develop training materials on fatigue management</li>
<li>Create a buddy system in which newer drivers have an experienced person to turn to for advice</li>
<li>Place organizational emphasis on safety rather than hitting targets</li>
<li>Don&rsquo;t retain drivers who break the rules</li>
<li>Foster a culture of continuous learning and pride of workmanship</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
We can work with your Broker to help you strengthen your current Fleet Safety Program. Contact your broker to learn more.

The Importance of investing in your drivers

If your business is interrupted by a loss, you&rsquo;ll need more than just a strong insurance policy. You&rsquo;ll need a plan. Developing a solid business continuity plan (BCP) is a great way for any organization to successfully minimize disruptions and navigate an unexpected or unfortunate event. That could include anything from losing an important team member, being affected by a flood or falling victim to a cyber breach or attack. Regardless of the industry or size of company, a well thought out BCP helps ensure key functions of your business can continue even if the worst happens.&nbsp;
Here are five key steps to help you build your organization&rsquo;s business continuity plan:
<h4>Step 1: Analyze your risks</h4>
This crucial first step involves thoroughly evaluating all the risks and hazards that could disrupt the business. In fact, the BCP should be developed around a &ldquo;worst case scenario&rdquo; with the understanding that the response can be scaled appropriately to match the actual incident. So go ahead and start by identifying all potential risk scenarios, however unlikely they may initially sound. Then, focus on scenarios that are most relevant to your business. For example, extreme weather risks tend to be geographical and not applicable to all firms, but emerging risks like cyber-attacks are relevant for all organizations, so reviewing the security of your computer network and the effectiveness of any firewalls is an important consideration in step 1.
And don&rsquo;t make the mistake of overlooking your business&rsquo; more mundane, everyday risks, such as any physical or security hazards.
<h4>Step 2: Business impact analysis</h4>
In step two, assess the business impact of the disruptive scenarios that were brought to light in the initial risk analysis and calculate the various costs related to these risks. This enables you to quantify how each risk will impact your company&rsquo;s service delivery and whether / for how long you can continue to operate without certain services. The business impact analysis allows organizational leaders to develop objectives and priorities by examining potential disruptions to the company&rsquo;s people, technology, infrastructure and vendors. This impact analysis can go hand in hand with calculating your company&rsquo;s business interruption limit &ndash; another important calculation we recommend your business stays on top of.
<h4>Step 3: Create a detailed response and recovery plan</h4>
Your company has already been disrupted, now it&rsquo;s about protecting your organization and staff from further damage. Based on the findings from the business impact analysis, you&rsquo;re now ready to create a thorough response and recovery plan. This involves implementing procedures and measures that help your business to both prevent and recover from a disruptive event. Your plan should address all the goals of your BCP, which are to:
<ul>
<li>Safeguard lives and reduce the chance of (further) injury</li>
<li>Protect assets</li>
<li>Restore critical business processes, systems and activities</li>
<li>Reduce the length of the interruption of business</li>
<li>Protect your business&rsquo; reputation</li>
<li>Control media coverage</li>
<li>Maintain customer relations.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; For example, in order to achieve these goals, the plan would include a strategy for accessing key business and customer information, handling payroll, and explaining where employees should congregate or work from if the business location is inaccessible. It would also include a roadmap of alternative ways to handle daily operations if computer systems, equipment, suppliers, employees, etc. are unreachable or unavailable. You should also develop and print a list of important contacts in case the disruption affects computers, the network or your customer-relationship management (CRM) system. This list should include employees, clients, vendors, emergency response services, suppliers, your insurance broker and your accountant. Once you&rsquo;ve created the plan, you need to assemble a BCP team to learn it, test it and roll it out when it counts. At this stage, a BCP Coordinator should be identified. This person is not only responsible for overseeing and facilitating the coordination of the BCP upon activation of the plan, but also for ensuring that:
<ul>
<li>The plan has been created and adheres to the company&rsquo;s standard</li>
<li>Advanced preparations have been completed</li>
<li>The plan is regularly tested (step 4)The plan is regularly maintained (step 5)</li>
</ul>
<h4>Step 4: Test the plan</h4>
Great, so you have a plan and everyone knows their role should disaster (or interruption) strike. But implementing the plan in the event of an unexpected incident is something altogether different. That&rsquo;s why testing the plan is so important. You should create a simulated scenario in which one of your highest risk disruptions actually happens and then analyze how key stakeholders execute the plan. It gives teams and leaders great insight into the effectiveness of the plan and will highlight any hiccups or steps that need reworking. It&rsquo;s much easier to spot problems in real time rather than in a Word document or PowerPoint presentation. The plan should be tested at least once a year.
<h4>Step 5: Maintain the plan</h4>
It&rsquo;s no good sitting back and admiring your work. Your organization is constantly evolving and therefore, so is your risk. If you move offices or change computer systems, your risk profile is going to change significantly and your plan will have to be tweaked and tested accordingly. Even having a high turnover of staff in a short period of time could render parts of your original plan obsolete.
Analysis should be ongoing and you should bring stakeholders together at least once a year to review the plan and talk about any sections that might need updating. At this stage it&rsquo;s as much about your attitude to risk as it is the risk itself. Having gone through the process of creating and testing the plan, you have a solid understanding of where your company may be susceptible. Now it&rsquo;s all about being switched on to organizational changes as and when they happen and thinking about how they affect your risk exposures. Preventing unexpected events is tough but planning how to react when they do happen is something that every company should do.

5 steps for developing a business continuity plan

covid-19-non-owned-auto-exposures-checklist

COVID-19 Non Owned Auto Exposures Checklist

COVID-19 Non Owned Auto Exposures Checklist

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