West Bend Provides a Silver Lining.

West Bend recognized by the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently recognized West Bend Mutual Insurance Company as a gold level employer for taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace! This is the second consecutive year West Bend has been recognized, having achieved a silver level status in 2017.

More than 1,000 companies completed the index assessment this year and, of those companies, 75% received either Gold, Silver, or Bronze recognition. The Workplace Health Achievement Index allows us to measure the effectiveness of our workplace health programs, as well as the overall heart health of our associates.

West Bend is pleased to provide associates with many opportunities to assess and improve their personal health, including annual biometric screenings, a 24/7 onsite fitness center, and a variety of wellness and fitness challenges throughout the year.

Congratulations to our associates for making these programs successes and helping us achieve this recognition!

Safe + Sound Week

August 13 – 19 is Safe + Sound Week. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched this nationwide initiative in 2017. The goal is to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs. They encourage organizations of any size and any industry to participate.

Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help organizations get their safety and health program started or energize an existing one. While approaches vary, effective programs have three core elements:

• Management leadership that commits to establishing, maintaining, and continually improving the program.
• Workers who help identify solutions for improvements. A workforce engaged in safety and health programs results in higher productivity, increased job satisfaction, and strong worker retention, which combine to increase revenues and lower turnover and recruitment costs.
• A systematic “find and fix” approach that calls upon employers and workers alike to examine their workplaces – proactively and routinely – to identify and address hazards before an injury or illness occurs.

West Bend strongly advocates for effective safety and health programs year-round. Our highly-skilled team of loss prevention professionals has the experience and technical knowledge to help build and implement loss prevention programs tailored to the unique needs of each business they work with. Learn more about our loss prevention services.

Motorcycle safety

Near the end of August, riders from across the country will converge on Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin to celebrate the 115^th anniversary of Harley Davidson®. As the rumble of motorcycle engines fills the air and the shine of chrome and custom paint jobs line the streets and highways in Southeastern Wisconsin, it’s the perfect time to share motorcycle safety tips with all motorists.

All motorists should safely share the road with motorcycles. They have the same rights and privileges on the roadway as other vehicles. Stay alert, as motorcycles can be harder to see due to their size, and they can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Allow motorcycles the full width of a lane and follow at least three to four seconds behind them. Keep in mind that road conditions, like wet pavement, gravel, or potholes, that may seem minor to drivers of cars and trucks, can pose greater hazards to motorcycle riders. Motorcyclists may need to slow down, stop, or adjust their lane position.

The National Safety Council (NSC) says motorcycle riders should:

• Wear a DOT-approved helmet;
• Know and follow the rules of the road;
• Invest in anti-lock brakes;
• Not drink and drive;
• Watch for hazards; and
• Always use headlights.

Visit nsc.org for more information, including motorcycle accident statistics, a complete list of their motorcycle safety tips, and additional resources.