Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common causes of workers’ compensation injuries across all industries. The resulting claims..

Indoor and outdoor pools are often the most popular areas of a YMCA and other community organizations. With lap swimming, children’s..

A recent iPhone software update made headline news because it patched a very serious security flaw. It was discovered hackers could..

The pandemic has created chaos around the world. Business owners everywhere are focused on figuring out how to do what’s best for their..

Safety meetings and staff training sessions are critical for teaching employees important skills they need to stay safe on the job...

As a business owner, it’s important to realize the cost of building materials and trends in the construction industry to properly assess..

Organizations regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) are required to maintain driver qualification (DQ) files for all their..

A wide variety of organizations deal with hazardous chemicals. From a YMCA handling pool chemicals to an auto body shop utilizing spray..

Fall is almost here, and children will be heading back to school, often in-person this year! For childcare centers, the transition from..

Employees who drive for a living encounter a few unique issues in their work environment, America’s roadways. Anyone who’s been on a..

We spend so much time cooking meals on our stoves that it can be easy to forget the temperatures are high enough to quickly start a..

Two recently released recalls include equipment manufactured by STIHL and Guardian. Anyone using these pieces of equipment should stop..

Inflatable jumping pillows are popular attractions for kids at campgrounds and summer camps. Installed in the ground with turf or sand..

Driving a truck for a living can take a toll on a person’s health. Based on a survey of commercial truck drivers, they were twice as..

A broken arm from falling off monkey bars. A laceration requiring stitches from a broken bottle. A concussion from being knocked over by..

Ransomware attacks have made headline news this year. An attack against a large US pipeline created gasoline shortages all along the..

Nothing says summer like a fresh burger cooked on the grill. However, grills can pose a large fire risk, especially for apartment..

A key component of worker safety is ergonomics, defined as “an applied science of designing and arranging things people use so the..

One of the most devastating incidents for any childcare provider is the death of an infant from sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS...

Did you know there’s a simple maintenance plan you can implement to prevent expensive and potentially dangerous problems with your..

The summer months are upon us, and along with blue skies and sunshine, summer also brings severe weather. Tornados, severe..

Childcare providers have a lot of different tasks to juggle every day. Caring for children, planning activities and field trips, and..

Drivers who transport clients or patients for organizations like assisted living facilities, childcare centers, or adult day care..

A youth sports organization hires a driver to transport children from the facility to different locations in the city for games. The..

Parking lots are often overlooked areas for many organizations, as maintenance and safety of other parts of the facility take..

Before we know it, summer will be here. Summer typically means youth-serving organizations offer camp programs, giving children a chance..

Restaurant and other kitchen workers face a challenging work environment. Standing for long periods of time, lifting heavy pots and food..

As a business owner, you’ve spent a good amount of time developing protocols to keep your customers’ data safe. Strong passwords,..

Since 1983 April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlighting an important issue for our country. This is a great..

Many of us spend hours upon hours sitting at our desks staring at screens. All this sitting can take a toll on our bodies. Stretching..

As a manager or owner of a business, it’s important to consider your employees’ mental health. “How are you doing?” is a very simple..

It’s safe to say that COVID-19 changed most aspects of our daily lives in 2020, and now, a year later it’s still not business as usual..

Many people in the Midwest remember when the roof of the Metrodome, football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, collapsed in 2016. The..

Imagine this scenario, you’re in the middle of your workday, managing the operations at a small organization. One of your employees..

Distracted driving is without a doubt one of the most challenging problems facing companies that employ drivers for any reason. Most of..

During a walkthrough of a brand-new, large community center, one of our loss control reps noticed something about the gym. The entire..

One of the most critical safety measures for any organization that does commercial cooking is making sure the hood and duct system..

We experienced many changes in 2020, among them the ability to get much more delivered to our homes. Many restaurants and bars shifted..

Have you ever wondered how a safety committee could benefit your organization? Or maybe, you have a safety committee already established..

For small businesses, the cold winter months can present serious challenges to keeping their doors open. For businesses operating in..

It’s a new year and many childcare centers are enrolling new children, developing new routines, and often transporting many children to..

While ringing in 2021 certainly looked different than any other year, people are still making new goals and resolutions. Many of these..

It’s the end of 2020, and by now many of us have been working from home for most of the year. Who knew in January what a crazy year this..

Many childcare centers close for a week or two around the holidays, giving staff and children a much-needed break to spend time with..

Winter is here. If snow and ice haven’t started accumulating at your organization, they’ll certainly make an appearance sometime in the..

Any business owner knows that cybersecurity is crucial for keeping company and customer data safe. You don’t have to look far for news..

Frozen pipes cause significant damage to buildings every winter, including for West Bend customers. Last year, an organization had a..

It's that time of year again, when snow and ice make driving and especially walking more hazardous. Every winter, West Bend receives a..

A family is left searching for answers after a 19-year-old employee drowned at a YMCA in California. The camp counselor was swimming..

Most companies focus much of their efforts on preventing employee injuries by developing a strong safety culture. This is very..

As a childcare provider, keeping kids safe is the most important part of your job. Sometimes it can be easy to overlook smaller things..

It should come as no surprise that some of our most frequent auto claims here at West Bend are claims for damage caused by backing..

With many schools utilizing virtual instruction this year, kids are spending more time than ever online. Many organizations like YMCAs..

If an employee is injured at work and cannot return to his/her own job right away, sometimes the employee can do another job or part of..

When children go back to school, they often spend a lot of time on school busses. In addition to transportation to and from school,..

Now more than ever people are buying and using hand sanitizer in order to keep themselves healthy. While washing hands with soap and..

Many people think that if someone is drowning, it will be extremely obvious. Lots of splashing, screaming for help, and arm waving. But..

A post from Katrina Luetkebuenger, a West Bend Loss Control Representative: There are many risks to consider with winter driving. I..

NOTE: We also have information on Developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for emergencies other than aquatics.

Companies with large fleets of vehicles, from large semi-trucks to smaller vans, are always looking for ways to make their fleets safer...

We spend all winter looking forward to long, sunny days. Then finally summer arrives, bringing some beautiful weather. But summer also..

A West Bend loss control representative was asked by the aquatics director for one of our customers if we had a policy on the maximum..

West Bend's claims adjusters handle an unbelievable number of slip and fall injuries for our customers each winter. And this isn't..

An ex-Boy Scout camp director and YMCA water safety instructor accused of filming and distributing child pornography entered a guilty..

In 2015 at a summer camp in North Carolina, a 12-year-old girl fell more than 40 feet to her death when a tether attaching her to the..

As businesses re-open and operate on a limited basis, they may choose to take the precautionary measure of using a no-contact..

A story came to light about abuse in youth sports. A young figure skater accused an older skater of abuse. The abuser’s coaches and..

It's no secret; 15 passenger vans can be extremely dangerous. A high center of gravity and poor weight distribution make these vehicles..

A large concert stage collapsed under the pressure of 70mph winds at the Indiana State Fair a few years ago. Reports have indicated that..

A talented swimmer on the Dartmouth College swim team was exercising in a Florida YMCA pool while on vacation with his family.  After a..

Take a kid to a party with a bounce house and chances are you won’t see them for long. Most kids are thrilled to jump and flip in these..

One of our loss control experts was at a YMCA pool and a swimmer was up on a starting block getting ready to jump into the pool...

Maintaining staff-to-child ratios is a very important part of a high-quality childcare environment. In fact, the number of children..

A tragedy at a preschool in New York City made headlines across the country. A three-year-old with a known dairy allergy was fed a..

While businesses often spend significant amounts of money on workers’ compensation insurance, the ins and outs of how work comp works..

Too often here at West Bend we receive frightening near-drowning claims. These claims can result in serious injury and many times the..

A story about abuse in child care centers pops up just about every day. And these stories span the country; from New York City (where a ..

Once warm weather finally hits, families and children head to pools and lakes to cool down. Swimming is a standard summer activity but..

One of our loss control representatives was asked about including children with disabilities in camp activities. This organization had..

A news story about a child at a pumpkin farm caught our attention here at West Bend. The child suffered a medical emergency and passed..

Fall sports are ramping up as the weather cools down. Football and lacrosse seasons are starting; even some baseball and softball teams..

There are many stories in the news about abuse at childcare facilities. Unfortunately, a story from Texas stands out as especially..

At a high school swim meet in Michigan, Xavier Staubs had just finished the last leg of a relay race. He noticed one of his rivals,..

A childcare provider in Colorado was sentenced to 10 years in prison after an infant died in her care. She had put the child down for a..

A common feature at child-centered organizations is playground equipment, both indoors and outdoors. Children love climbing and sliding, 

A recent claim caught the attention of one of our loss control reps. A child in a drop-in daycare facility went into the bathroom to get..

An employee at an aquatics center was arrested after a camera was found in the changing area for lifeguards at the facility. Upon..

A record-breaking verdict was recently handed down in an Illinois civil lawsuit involving the drowning death of six-year-old Michal..

Imagine a scenario that could happen at any community organization. A fire caused by an old electrical panel starts in a maintenance..

A devastating tragedy has prompted a community in Pennsylvania to act to keep children safer while in childcare facilities. In August..

Imagine an elderly member came into your organization with an advanced directive stating that in the event of an emergency, they don't..

One of our loss control experts reported an interesting situation at a facility with a swimming pool. After taking photos of their..

One of our loss control experts received a question that many YMCAs and larger fitness facilities face. Employees at this YMCA noticed..

As a childcare provider, field trips were both my worst nightmare and one of my favorite activities. The stress and anxiety of planning..

A client walks into a community organization with a large dog. The dog doesn’t have a vest or badge identifying it as a service animal..

If you are a lifeguard supervisor or manager, this probably sounds familiar. You supervise a group of lifeguards; some stay with you all..

Step ladders are one of the most commonly-used pieces of equipment in many businesses. Check any supply or maintenance closet and you’ll..

Employee safety is a top priority. Improper disposal of materials, narrow aisles, and poor lighting are all things that can play a..

One of the last things you want as a business owner is for your employees to get hurt. Often, workplace accidents can be avoided by..

A fire broke out at a large, two-story apartment building. A passerby noticed flames on the roof, called emergency services, and..

If there’s one lesson to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the value of having a plan for uncertain times. Given the curveball..

Your business is important to us so, we provide coverages tailored its unique needs. Learn how some of these coverages come into play in..

An in-home care coordinator was leaving an apartment complex following an appointment with a client. While descending the front steps,..

Does your warehouse struggle with inventory upkeep? Or, have there been times when product has been misplaced due to lack of..

Workplace safety is top of mind for employers. Keeping employees safe and preventing workers’ compensation injuries that affect your..

No employers want to see their employees suffer a traumatic injury while on the job. Let’s take a look at this real-life work comp claim..

We all know the important role computers play in business.  Especially if you’re an accountant. A simple accident and poof, your..

Workplace accidents happen, but many may be avoided by implementing preventive safety measures. We’re sharing this real-life, large loss..

A claims department functions because of loss to property, an accident, or an injury due to legal liability, misfortune, negligence, or..

While those of us who are able to work from home are grateful, we may be experiencing new aches and pains due to improper use of home..

 As many of us have settled into working from home, it’s important to be aware of the increased phishing and other social engineering..

Many essential employees are working hard to keep grocery stores, delivery services, and takeout food services available to the public...

A heavy hailstorm occurred at an auto dealership. West Bend gathered details about the type and size of hail as well as general damages..

Before COVID-19 became a household term, I had worked from home occasionally. I remember wishing for some scheduled work from home days..

There's no doubt COVID-19 has dramatically changed our lives. Social distancing is our way of life for now. When possible, many..

A major concern of any retail business is accidents in the parking lot. The accidents can be vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-building/..

lt should be a concern. It’s very important that your store has a sound policy in place to keep aisles clear and dry.

According to OSHA, since 1980, almost 150 workers have been killed and more than 850 injured due to combustible dust explosions.

According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), on average, prescription drug costs make up 13-14% of an overall..

Remote work may seem like a simple, inexpensive way of doing your job, but in reality, it can create a certain disconnect and..

Our SMARTbusiness® program was designed to help tailor your insurance coverage to the unique needs of your business. Equipment Breakdown..

You provide a valuable service for your customers that requires a large investment in your machinery, your employees, and your office..

As a manager or business owner, it’s horrible to watch an employee suffer a workers’ compensation injury. Sharing real-life claims like..

Manufacturers Errors & Omissions coverage extends the basic General Liability policy to provide payment when you (as the insured) must..

West Bend considers light manufacturing operations to include manufacturers of small stamped, rolled, turned, pressed, cut, machined, or..

Cyber risk is a growing issue.  All businesses that maintain data on their clients and employees have a responsibility to safeguard the..

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  We tend to agree, especially when it comes to..

Buildings that are vacant for extended periods are vulnerable to vandalism and fire, partly as the result of only occasional maintenance..

If you’re a contractor who’s just starting out or an experienced contractor who has significantly expanded your business, your tools and..

Outdoor workers are exposed to many physical hazards depending on their responsibilities, the season and duration they’re outside. In..

During a recent storm, an insured suffered a substantial hail damage claim. After an inspection of the property, it was discovered the..

Warehouse operations and distribution facilities are common with most manufacturing businesses and they present a wide variety of..

We care about your architect firm and know how important your office equipment is to daily operations. To help you understand insurance..

At West Bend, we’re proud of our broad base of knowledge when it comes to understanding commercial risks. Over the years, we’ve..

Auto repair shops have many exposures. Today we’re going to take a look at some of the exposures for internal operations, as well as..

At West Bend, we’re proud of our broad base of knowledge when it comes to understanding commercial risks. Over the years, we’ve..

Because your business is important to us, we provide coverages tailored its unique needs. You may want to consider these additional..

Let’s face it. There are simply not enough hours in the day to get everything done in your busy chiropractic office. You’re busy helping..

Understanding your insurance coverage can be confusing and complicated. When going over your options with your agent, don’t be scared to..

Determining the right business technology insurance coverage can be tricky. You’re probably wondering, “how can we be prepared for the..

Chiropractic clinic, business office, construction site...it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, employee reviews are important. Not..

If your business is in a small-town, close-knit, community, you probably know how important it is for your business to get involved. Not..

Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. Nielsen reports that 83% of consumers say they trust recommendations from friends,..

Are you considering hiring additional help for the summer? How do you know if adding summer staff would be beneficial to your business?..

Ever find yourself wondering why so many people – including you – stress over writing their own bios? Writing a bio should be simple,..

Heavy rain fell overnight and caused the sump pit or well to overflow when the pump failed at a law firm located in the lower level of a..

A chiropractic office had an x-ray machine for about seven years.  While using the machine, they heard pops, smoke came out of the..

The owner of a dental clinic opened the office one morning and noticed a metallic odor.  As he walked through the office, he saw soot..

Understanding your insurance coverage can be confusing and complicated. When going over your options with your agent, don’t be scared to..

Employees working together in unison with one common goal helps produce the best work and ensure high performance. The old saying, “two..

Many professionals struggle with the phrase, “leave work at work.” As an insurance agent, you pride yourself on putting your clients..

Blogging is a great way to educate your current and potential customers. Sometimes, the hardest part of writing a blog is determining..

Going green and making your office environmentally friendly is easy and inexpensive. In fact, in many cases, going green will end up..

Being a leader in your insurance agency is about more than just managing people. There are good days and  bad days. It’s a constant..

Effective communication is crucial to building and maintaining a successful and efficient team. Between computers and phones, texting..

Sometimes no matter how hard you work, things just don’t go right. As a business consultant, you try to always do what’s best for your..

Working with computers or technology all day long can have negative impacts on employees’ overall health and well-being. If you can’t..

Social media is one of the main ways people stay connected and communicate with each other. As a doctor, your reputation is incredibly..

Meetings. Emails. Texts. Phone calls. Bids. On-site job visits. Designing. Drafts. Construction. Being an architect or engineer is full..

As an insurance agent, it’s crucial for your clients to trust you and to feel they can easily communicate with you. They need to trust..

The importance of security is incredibly pertinent in the computer technology industry. You diligently work to ensure each customer’s..

You’ve worked hard to get where you are.  Your law firm is a representation of your personality. Over the years you may have purchased..

When I talk to my friends and colleagues, one thing they always wish they had more of, is time.  I’m no different. I work full-time and..

You probably get these questions a lot. What exactly do you do? How can I trust what you do will help me better my business? You know..

With 260 million monthly active users and two new members joining every second, LinkedIn is a powerhouse filled with business..

More and more employers are creating wellness programs to encourage healthier lifestyles, reduce work-related stress, injuries, and..

If moving a residence is stressful, moving a business is that times ten. There are so many more worries with moving your business, such..

Social media is a fantastic and cost-effective way to reach potential and existing clients.  When you share valuable content that..

Data Security 101The first thing you need to know is ‘what is data security’? Data security refers to the process of protecting..

You love what you do, the years of schooling and hours spent studying were well worth it. Each day you’re helping people, but that..

After attending a recent social media conference, I wanted to share some pointers that may help you market your business using social..

People who work at a computer in an office environment are prone to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Working with the body in a neutral..

West Bend has provided businesses throughout the Midwest with the comprehensive insurance coverages and services they need to operate..

Communication is a cornerstone of any business.  It helps build relationships, convey ideas, and when done properly, overcome difficult..

Professional hairdressers, beauticians, and barbers help people every day. In any line of work, accidents happen, and the risks double..

Almost every business needs crime insurance. While it's important to have the right coverage to protect against crimes committed by..

We are in the midst of a crazy winter season with loads of snow and record low temperatures. This is a perfect time to brush up on..

While on Facebook, a headline by the Beaver Dam Fire Department caught my eye: “Oily rags are causing fire – again.” I learned last..

Approximately 1.3 billion gallons of waste oil are generated from the crankcases of millions of automobiles and trucks whenever the oil..

Zinsco electric panels could leave property owners at risk for both fire and electric shock as a result of failing to operate properly..

The popularity and sheer number of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries are on the rise. In the US, between 2016 and 2017, the..

Your business works tirelessly to provide nothing but the best for your customers and employees. You want to protect everything you’ve..

Social media has become an integral part of marketing businesses. It’s a way to connect and engage with your audience, while being a..

Although the initial dehumidifier recall occurred in 2013 and a revamped list was released in 2016, many people are still just learning..

As drones become more commonplace in our airspace, and commercial and recreational use continues to grow, so, too, will the need for..

West Bend’s TechAdvantage™ Equipment Breakdown Coverage includes all of the coverages, services, and benefits associated with..

If you could guess the one word that can reduce both illness and injury, what would you say?  Ergonomics?  Yes!

Fall is right around the corner. The holiday season isn’t far behind. Many organizations depend on seasonal workers to succeed during..

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill

There truly is no better feeling than giving..

Technology allows businesses to be agile, more efficient, and offer a better customer experience. In today’s digital and inter-connected..

In the NewsIf you search Google for ‘dryer fire business’, you’ll see news stories like these. Last month, in Petaluma, California, a..

A 2019 study from The Center for Construction Research and Training revealed that construction workers, who compose 6% of the total..