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WAYNE GARDNER executive vice president

I N EARLY October Industrial

I Indemnity sponsored a dinner for all the participants in one of LASC's insurance programs.

Insurance has traditionally been one ofthe benefits ofbelonging to an association. Almost every association offers group health and accident insurance, and group workers compensation. There are decided advantages to these programs'

Many many years ago, a very foresighted insurance worker by the name of William Murdock, who has since passed away, came up with the idea of putting a comprehensive liability and frre insurance program together for the industry in Southern California. Certainly it was a novel concept in the late 50s. but Murdock's persistence paid off.

The plan was Put together and Industrial Indemnity agreed to underwrite it. The rules were tough, because a program as novel as this could fall apart very quickly unless carefully controlled. Selected dealers were approached to get into the program, based on their size and the way in which theY operated. They were all considered to be low risks. And as a result the fire portion was written at below manual rates. Unheard of for lumber yard inSurance, but it worked. And it continues to work.

At the dinner, Dave Barry of BaYIY' Martin & Fay told the group that five of the original eight policy holders are still insured through Industrial. That's over 24 years with the same carrier. That is not a typical relationship between carrier and association. The average probably would be less than five years. This is usually true in health and accident as well as Workers ComPensation.

It does tell a story. The participants in the plan are happy since rates have been good over the years. Claims have been settled adequately and quickly. One can't

(Plcasc turn to Pagc 24)

Dlstdbutors

NORI}IEAST

GEORGE MCQI.'ESTEN CO, hon Horse Fark

North Billerica, MA 01862

(617) 663-3435

MID.STATE LI.JMBER CO

2OO lndustrial Parkway

Branchbug, NJ 08876

(z0t) 7254SAO

SOUTHEAST FURMAN LUMBER CO.

8l9l Annapolis Junction Rd. Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

(3Ot) 792-2234

EARL RAIFORD LUMBER CO.

PO. Box 5498

Asharille, NC 28813

(7O4) 253-567

EFPERSON LUMBER SALES, INC.

PO. Box 1559 Statesville, NC2ffi77

(704\ 873432r

WOODFORD PLYWOOD

PO. Box 1731

Albany, GA 317O3

(912) 8834900

Branches in Alabama, Georyia & Florida

NORTITWEST

HUMPHREY LUI'BER CO.

PO. Box 999{3

Tacoma, WA 98499 (206) s84€263

I'PPER UID lIIEST

CANTON LUMBER CO.

PO. Box 9328

Minneapolis, MN 55440-9328

(6t2) 425-t4oo

WEST

ALL.COAST FOREST PRODUCTS, INC

PO. Box M

Chino CA 91708

CHUCK LINK executive director

SHe has expanded its Hazardous V Communications Standards (HCS, or the Worker Right-to-Know rule) to cover all industries, including the retail lumber and building material sector, which are in any way exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Already twelve states, including Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington, have extended the federal ruling beyond the chemical sector. While manufacturers have already been required to provide proper labeling and material safety data sheets (MSDS), retailers must conform to the regulation by May 20, 1988.

OSHA has estimated that the HCS will cost the average building material retailer $475 for the first year of compliance, stemming from (l) maintaining

MSDS from manufacturers, (2) creating labels for in-house manufactured containers of hazardous chemicals, (3) developing a written hazardous communications program, and (4) developing and implementing chernical hazard training.

In lumberyards and home centers where employees handle only chemicals in sealed containers which are not opened under normal conditions, employers must:

(1) Ensure that labels on such containers are not defaced or removed;

(2) Maintain copies of all MSDS, obtain the MSDS should the manufacturer fail to provide it with the shipment' and ensure that the MSDS is readilY accessible to employees; and

(3) Provide employees with informa-

(7t4) 627-855r

HEDLUND LUMBER & MACHINE STAINING

PO. Box 6O038

Sacrammto, C.E 95860

(916) 331€611

IMPERIAL WHOLESAIE

P.O. Box 256O5

Salt Iake Gty, UT 85125

(8O0 972-s656

CEDAR WEST CORP

P.O. Box 5224

Denrrer, CO 8O217 pa3)2944077

The Southland

(Continued /rom page 23) help but remember the instance where an adjustor was on the scene of a fire before the smoldering embers had been fully extinguished. All within hours the insured had a check to cover a large portion of his loss so that operations could keep going without delay.

The insurance committee has looked at other plans, and some participants have changed. But over all, it has been one very good program. Another benefit of belonging to an association. If you haven't tried it you should.

Home Center Merchant

(Continued from page 22) complicating their true prices inventing convoluted customer{oyalty gimmicks intended to frustrate shopping around. Frequent flyer programs are one example.

"lf companies marketing essentially identical commodities competed openly on the basis of price," said Kuttner, "everyone's profit margin would plummet, and the firm with the most staying power would simply drive competitors out of businessand then be free to raise prices."

Today, every retailer of lumber and building products is facing head-to-head price competition whether in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles or in rural communities such as Columbia. The competition is from the home center down the street or the one in the big city whose color tabloid drops out of the Sunday paper. Retail strategies must look to private labels, package selling, add-on services and hoopla to maintain market share.

But, then again, maybe you're the one with the most staying power.

Quick Cures For Ear Aches

What can you do when the guy on the other end of the telephone keeps talking? Try these ideas for a fast hang-up. Delay the conversation by telling the caller you are in the middle of a deadline project and will call him back. Return the call a few minutes before he is due to quit work.

lf this doesn't work, set a time limit. "Sorry, this is a bad time. I've only got three minutes before an appointment."

Signal the end of a call with "Before we hang up" or "lt's been great talking with you" or "l think we've pretty well covered everything."

If you fail on all counts, cut yourself off in the middle of a sentence. No one will believe it is anything but an accident.