Industry Expert Reveals Manufacturing Insurance Insights EMC Insurance
In 2022, the United States saw a 1.4% increase in the number of manufacturing businesses, totaling over 638,000. With this surge in manufacturing operations, it’s imperative to focus on effective loss control strategies to maintain a safe and efficient work environment—not to mention employee safety. Maximizing uptime is what it’s all about, and mitigating accidents is key. In this interview, Dave Young, Regional Vice President of Branch Operations at EMC Insurance Companies, sheds light on crucial factors you should keep in mind for ensuring robust loss control when selecting an insurer for your manufacturing business. Q: What are the top causes of loss you see in the manufacturing space? A: The top loss drivers we see at EMC include: • Fire accidents from things such as improper storage of combustible materials, faulty electrical equipment, flammable liquids and more • Ergonomics issues and overexertion • Struck-by-object accidents from forklifts, cranes and other large equipment • Slips, trips and falls, especially from spills, weather and ladders • Auto accidents involving employee drivers 11
Q: Should loss control services be a priority when selecting an insurer? A: Absolutely. It’s crucial for employee safety and preventing accidents and costly losses. Look for an insurer that goes beyond the basic loss control survey and offers custom safety plans, including hazard and ergonomics assessments and slip and fall prevention programs. Ensure they provide online tools, on-demand training, and have a dedicated loss control staff experienced in specialized industries and risk reviews. Q: Do many insurers offer specialized Workers’ Comp loss control services? A: Yes, many do, but they vary in quality. Manufacturers need medical management services that help employees receive appropriate, cost-effective care after an injury and return to work safely as soon as it’s medically appropriate to do so. Look for services such as: • OnCall Nurse or 24/7 nurse triage hotlines (consider any associated fees) • Medical bill review • Pharmacy management • Case management • Rehabilitation services • Return to work programs • Catastrophic claim management
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