Forklifts are common in many manufacturing, construction, and warehousing businesses. They are an essential tool for moving heavy items;..

YMCAs, YWCAs, and other community organizations provide invaluable services to their communities. These facilities are often a main..

There’s no disputing that the world of work has changed. In the face of a lingering global pandemic, employee engagement has declined from..

We’re nearing the end of Distracted Driving Awareness Month. We hope this month has been a time for all drivers to reflect on their own..

Businesses that provide sports and leisure activities can be found in most communities. These businesses include amusement centers, sports..

Spring is here and that means the construction season is in full swing. After pandemic-related delays, this season is shaping up to be very..

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. During this observance organizations around the country focus on making the roads..

You’re part of a group organizing a summer festival. Throughout many meetings your group decides on musical entertainment, food trucks, and..

Despite all your organization’s safety efforts, an employee gets hurt while on the job. Luckily, you have Workers’ Compensation insurance..

Defective products can cause serious injuries and property damage. Some product liability lawsuits settle for billions of dollars. No..

As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate, and managing hazardous waste just might be one of those obligations. You need to..

Our phones are with us wherever we go; most of us would be lost without them. While smartphones can pose hazards to drivers by being a..

One of the many long-lasting impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic has been employees working in places other than office buildings. In the..

West Bend’s Workers’ Compensation Claims department is dedicated to helping our policyholders reduce rising medical and disability costs...

Business owners want to keep their buildings and equipment safe from damage. Extra precautions are often taken for crime and incidental..

Many organizations are hiring a lot of new employees this year. Growth after a pandemic slump and increased demand for goods and services..

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for adult bedrails after reports of three deaths. Bedrails are often used..

Imagine this scenario: A water fountain at a local fitness center starts slowly leaking. Staff members don’t notice or just simply walk..

In many places throughout the country, winter brings snow and ice. Even in areas that don’t get much snow, cold winter temperatures bring..

Aquatics safety is an ongoing challenge, with many moving parts, for any organization with a pool. Aquatics directors are always working to..

Everyone probably recognizes the Underwriters Laboratory or UL symbol. It appears on many products, from Christmas lights to fire doors,..

Two recent episodes of our Safety Bytes podcast highlight some important issues that are often overlooked in many workplaces. Episode 108,..

Dust is an inevitable part of the woodworking process. While messy and frustrating at times, did you know that dust can also be very..

A safe work environment for you and your employees is crucial in running a business. Let’s start with the basics. Knowing the hazards in a..

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there’s a new structure fire every 63 seconds. Many commercial buildings are..

During the cold weather months alternative heating sources, such as fireplaces, space heaters, and wood stoves are used in many ways to..

If your work environment is noisy, it’s very important to protect your employees’ hearing. Even a moderate amount of noise over a long..

A critical part of a successful business is being able to recover from disasters, both large and small. This process can be a lot smoother..

Your customers may be the heart of your business, but your employees are its soul. Gone are the days when a generous salary and robust..

Employers across many different industries are struggling to find and hire enough employees. From childcare facilities, to restaurants, to..

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 swim..

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. Safety..

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 a..

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

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 fire...

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 likely..

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

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

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 people..

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 thunderstorms,..

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 centers..

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

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

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

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, security..

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

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 for..

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 comes..

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

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 covering..

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 parts..

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

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

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 their..

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 with a..

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

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

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 and..

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, youth..

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

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 didn’t..

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 can..

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 age..

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 plea..

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 thermometer..

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 others..

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

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

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. Suddenly..

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

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 grilled..

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

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 many..

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 out...

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

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, Kamrin..

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 nap..

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 further..

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

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

A devastating tragedy has prompted a community in Pennsylvania to act to keep children safer while in childcare facilities. In August 2019,..

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

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

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

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

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 and..

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 factor..

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 notified..

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, the..

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

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

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 computer..

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 to..

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

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

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 communication..

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 slips,..

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 food..

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

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 developed..

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 developed..

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, colleagues,..

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, but..

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 machine,..

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 and..

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 first..

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

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

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 balance..

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

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 of..

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..