Best Practice Controls for Solar Contractors

Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As we continually build broad and competitive insurance programs for solar contractors in southern California, we recently interviewed a Senior Underwriter from a national workers’ compensation carrier in an effort to learn best practice controls for these types of risks. To our delight, this underwriter provided the top five controls their team looks for while reviewing a submission to quote. Having these controls in place can show an underwriter that your company deserves the best possible pricing available in the insurance marketplace:

1. Fall Protection

• A written fall protection plan is in place and available for review

• Employee training is documented

• A competent person is able to assess fall hazards through a written hazard assessment prior to installation

• There is familiarity with all fall arrest systems (e.g., yo-yos, ropes, lanyards, harnesses, and guardrails)

• Rescue procedures and training on rescuing is in place

• Assembly, maintenance, inspection, handling and storage of fall protection equipment is documented and organized

2. Responsive and Thorough Claim Reporting

• Claims are reported same day

• Claims are documented for future training opportunities

• Witness statements from co-workers are documented

3. Outsourcing Delivery of Solar Panels to a Third Party

• Minimizes the driving exposure to and from the jobsite

• Lowers the material handling exposure

• Reduces any potential lifting exposure while on a jobsite

4. Create a Smaller Radius of Work

• Lessening of your company’s driving exposure, which in turn can lower the probability of any car accident leading to a claim

• Company vehicles to return the same day which reduces any after-hours driving by employees

• Allows for vehicles to be monitored more easily

5. Health Benefits are Provided

• Lowers the probability of employees filing fraudulent  claims

• Increases overall employee wellness.

Some of these controls may be difficult or unrealistic to implement with your current business model. With workers’ compensation representing such a large line item on so many solar contractor’s profit and loss statements, engaging a forward-thinking insurance broker who can provide you additional resources and a clear renewal strategy is critical. At Rancho Mesa, we bring both of those tools to our relationships, utilizing our Risk Management Center to properly implement controls and our 20+ year history as leaders in the construction insurance marketplace.

To start a conversation about how we can assist your company, contact me at (619) 438-6874 or  khoward@ranchomesa.com.

Aerial Lift Best Practices

Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Aerial lifts have become extremely popular over the past few years in the arboriculture industry. An aerial lift is an ideal way to reach higher trees safely and securely. They can also make potentially hazardous tree removal safer and more efficient. This equipment requires extensive training to operate responsibly, and the lack of this training has led to an increase in accidents and injuries with aerial lift devices. According to OSHA, between 2009 and 2013 there were 47 aerial lift operator fatalities among the tree care industry in the US. To make for a safer operation, here are a few suggestions and reminders about Best Practices for working with aerial lifts:

Inspect the Lift

Visual inspections ensure that lifts remain functional and safe, while often saving potentially hours of maintenance and future medical bills. Conducting the visual inspection should include a close eye on hydraulic leaks, cracks, loose bolts, and worn or discolored hoses. It’s important to remember to always be cautious and not use your hands or any body parts to check for hydraulic-fluid leaks - always use a piece of cardboard or wood. When hydraulic fluid is under pressure, it can penetrate deep into skin and poison flesh, causing disastrous injuries. Never stick your hand around a fitting or hose to feel for a leak.

Function Testing and Drift Testing

Before climbing into the bucket, lift operators should check the lower controls and run the lift through a full range of motion. These controls are critical as they could very well come into use while rescuing a lift operator from the bucket in an emergency situation.

After the lower controls have been tested, a drift test should also be performed to make sure there are no issues with the hydraulics. To test for drift, set a traffic cone off to the side of the lift and move the bucket over the top of the cone, leaving a few inches in between. Turn the truck off and wait five minutes to make sure the boom doesn't drift down and touch the cone. If it does drift, take the truck out of service until it can be repaired.

Suiting Up

It is now time to put on your fall-protection harness. Make sure your harness fits properly and has a dorsal attachment. Once your harness is on, attach your fall restraint system to the harness and then to the life support attachment on the lift. It is virtually impossible to fall out of an aerial lift device if you wear proper fall protection and make sure it’s attached to the lift, every time.

When used correctly, aerial lifts can be effective and efficient tools for Arborists. When properly set up and tested, they can move easily on the jobsite and provide safe access in hard to reach areas. Their design allows for mobility and flexibility which can increase the crew’s  safety, production and profitability. 

Rancho Mesa’s Risk Management Center offers training materials covering aerial lifts, elevated work platforms and fall protection as online courses, tailgate talks and posters, as well as sample evaluation forms and policies.  For additional information on the use of aerial lifts or other Best Practice safety measures for the arborist industry, please reach out to me, Rory Anderson at randerson@ranchomesa.com and learn more about our TreeOne Program.