Vigilance Risk Solutions Returns to Provide Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness Workshop

Author, Lauren Stumpf , Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc .

On Friday, April 5, 2019, Jon Russ from Vigilance Risk Solutions (VRS) presented the Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness workshop for Rancho Mesa Insurance Services’ clients.

This dynamic two-hour course covered the evolution of the active shooter threat, industry trend evaluations, how to spot a potential threat, psychology of a shooter, the vigilance mindset, run-hide-fight, decision making, supervisor responsibilities and so much more.

About Vigilance Risk Solutions
VRS is a trusted team of security leaders committed to mitigating workplace violence through custom solutions that empower and increase awareness. VRS works to give organizations the necessary analysis, planning, and training to help save lives and have peace of mind.Vigilance Risk Solutions offers industry-leading threat and vulnerability assessments, emergency operations plans and workplace security programs for organizations large and small. For more information, visit www.vigilancerisk.com.

For additional resources on Workplace Violence and Active Shooter Preparedness, visit the Rancho Mesa Risk Management Center or contact us at (619) 937-0164.

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Safety Spotlight: Century Painting Corporation Safety Van

Author, Lauren Stumpf , Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc .

Century Painting Corporation acquired the innovative Safety Training Unit, also known simply as the Safety Van, in May 2018 and the benefits have been endless. The Safety Van is equipped with safety training topics, tools, and protective equipment. Safety meetings were previously held at the Century Painting office, but now Eddie Lopez, Safety Coordinator of Century Painting Corp. travels to the jobsites and trains the employees on the spot; saving time and reducing hassle for the workers. The Safety Van has job specific trainings loaded onto the TV mounted to the back of the van, making it convenient for Eddie to open the van, set up chairs, and give safety presentations to the workers at the jobsite.

“The reason Century Painting has this van is because we strive for Safety which is our number one core value. Also to make sure all of our guys go home safe to their families every day” says Eddie Lopez, Safety Coordinator at Century Painting. “We really do care about them [the employees], it’s not all about just working. We care about how they get here and how they go back home every day.”  

Century Painting Corporation has 5 core values; safety being number one followed by quality, integrity, team work, and organization. These show in every aspect of their company; the Safety Van being just one.

“Arturo, Victor, and Eddie have really made safety the core of Century Painting Corporation. It is really easy to be their insurance agent when you get to go out to carriers and show them really the crème de la crème of a safe company” says Kevin Howard, Account Executive of the Construction Group at Rancho Mesa. “The main focus of safety for them is the culture; they care about the employees. They treat every single employee like they are a family member.”     

About Century Painting Corp
Century Painting Corporation is a California based commercial painting contractor and industrial painting company known for quality workmanship and consistent, on time completion of painting projects.  Providing excellent service with unparalleled results is second nature for Century Painting. With two generations of experience working on commercial buildings, Century Painting specializes in product applications such as elastomeric coatings, epoxy coatings, two part polyurethane, and waterproofing, exterior condominiums, apartment complexes, hotels, hospitals, commercial buildings, malls, tenant improvements, clean rooms, biotech, property managements, senior living facilities, resorts, parking structures, high rise painters, office buildings, industrial parks, gas stations, warehouses, projects and more.  

Expand Your Understanding of Captive Insurance Options

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services discusses the captive insurance option and upcoming workshop.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the East County Boys & Girls Club located at 8820 Tamberly Way, Santee CA 92071.

To register visit www.RanchoMesa.com/workshops or follow the registration link below.

NAWIC Celebrates WIC Week at RDO's Demo Day

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter concluded its celebration of Women in the Construction (WIC) Week at RDO Demo Day on March 7, 2019 at RDO Equipment Co. in Lakeside, CA.

RDO Equipment Co.’s staff and WIC Week committee members welcomed attendees with savory tacos, good music, goodie bags that included personal protective equipment like a pink hard hat, safety vest and safety glasses, and a John Deere pink/camouflage cap, sticker and key chain.

The evening’s main event was the mini excavator competition. Using the excavator’s bucket, participants tried to scoop up three basketballs that were balanced on safety cones, then drop the basketballs into a box. Participants were given a quick instructional lesson on safety and how to operate the Deere 35G excavator. Then, they began their timed run. Ashley Landers from Bay City Electric Works won the competition with the most number of balls dropped in the box in the fastest time.

“At first it was very scary,” said Shelby Ballow from Dowling Construction, Inc. when asked about her experience operating the excavator. “But, my adrenaline was pumping the whole time and it was really fun. I got one ball - first try. And then, it went downhill from there. But, it was really cool and every girl should try an excavator.”

The RDO Demo Day event was part of WIC Week which is designed “to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry,” according to NAWIC. “WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.”

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to support the National Association of Women in Construction San Diego and its mission.

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The NAWIC San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.

About RDO Equipment Co.
RDO Equipment Co. in Lakeside, California, serves the greater San Diego and surrounding areas. We sell and service John Deere construction equipment, Hitachi equipment, and Vermeer equipment as well as provide construction technology solutions from Topcon and more. Whether your job calls for paving, excavation, utilities, concrete, demolition, or landscaping work, our experienced sales department will help you find the right equipment for your needs. Our large inventory of parts ensures you get the right parts fast to reduce any costly downtime. We also have highly trained and certified technicians to get your equipment back up and running as quickly as possible. Contact us day or night for your service needs. For more information, visit www.rdoequipment.com.

NAWIC's Toast to the Trades Fundraiser Brings Awareness to Future Construction Leaders Foundation

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter kicked off the Women in the Construction (WIC) Week with a ‘Toast to the Trades’ fundraiser benefiting the Future Construction Leaders Foundation (FCLF) on March 5, 2019 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on San Diego Bay.

The nearly 200 people in attendance raised $10,000 through ticket sales, silent auction and sponsorships. The funds will be donated to the FCLF, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of programs focused on educating youth about career opportunities in the construction industry and encouraging them to pursue careers in this field.

Kayleen McCabe, the evening’s keynote speaker, is a general contractor, TV host of DIY Network’s Rescue Renovation, and trades advocate. She spoke about the rising demand for trade professionals and how it is currently outpacing vocational training.­ McCabe advocates for the restoration of America’s respect for the trades. She also enlightened the audience with anecdotes from her TV show and how the popularity of the DIY movement has gotten some homeowners in over their heads with renovation projects.

Ana Gutierrez, tradeswomen at Clark Construction and former Camp NAWIC participant, spoke about her journey from attending camp as a high school student and learning about the various construction trades to her successful career in the industry.

The ‘Toast to the Trades’ event was part of WIC Week which is designed “to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry,” according to NAWIC. “WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.”

Sponsors for the event included:
Project Manager Sponsors - DPR Construction, Tru-Duct Sheet Metal Fabrication, and MC Painting
Superintendent Sponsors - Paradigm Mechanical Corp., SMART, Titan Fire Protection, RDO Equipment Co., and Wateridge Insurance Services
Foreman Sponsors - Herc Rentals, Harper Construction Company, Inc., Ryan Companies, ROE Strategic, Sunrise Bobcat & Hauling Service, Inc., and Women’s Construction Coalition
Journeyman Sponsors - Clairemont Equipment, C-SOS Consulting, Denning Moores, SASC Surety Associates
Apprentice Sponsors - D3 Construction Services, Inc. and Ferguson Commercial

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.

About Future Construction Leaders Foundation
The Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego is dedicated to providing opportunities for young men and women to investigate the many private and public construction career opportunities available. From kindergarten to college, we have hands-on, free programs that expose students to various trades and the corresponding seasoned professionals who can guide and coach them. For more information, visit www.futureconstructionleaders.org.

Rancho Mesa Hosts From Hire to Fire Workshop

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Friday February 8, 2019, Rancho Mesa hosted their second workshop of the year at the San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA.

The informative From Hire to Fire: Avoiding the Top 10 Legal Mistakes workshop was presented by Chris Frank, the founder of C Frank HR Consulting. The workshop sparked many questions and discussions of owners, human resource personnel, and office managers who attended.

Attendees walked away with a better understanding of current employment laws, how to minimize legal exposure for their company, and how they can apply law knowledge to effectively coach managers/supervisors and lead employees.

If you missed this workshop, a video of the presentation will be available through the Risk Management Center, along with a downloadable version of the presentation slides and handouts.

Contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869 for more information about Rancho Mesa’s upcoming workshops and webinars.

Rancho Mesa Attends Farmers Insurance Open With Sentry Insurance

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Jeremy Hoolihan, Kevin Howard, and Chase Hixson were the guest of Sentry Insurance company at the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament played at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Friday January 25, 2019. 

Pictured from left to right: Sam Clayton; John Fischel, West Coast Regional Executive; Chase Hixson; Jeremy Hoolihan; Kevin Howard; and Nic Hernandez, West Coast Underwriting Manager for Sentry.

The unbelievable field of PGA Tour Professionals included Tiger Woods, Rory McIIroy, Ricky Fowler, Jason Day, and 2018 Fed Ex champion Justin Rose. Rose went on to win shooting -21 for the weekend!

“The golf, weather, fans, and spending time with one of our premier carrier partners was an amazing experience” said Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is proud to partner with Sentry Insurance. They hand-picked Rancho Mesa as a business partner to grow their market share, due to Rancho Mesa’s expertise in the construction area.

About Sentry

Sentry Insurance started in 1904 and has grown to become one of the largest, and financially secure mutual insurance companies in the nation. They have recently opened their West Coast Regional office in Irvine, CA. At Sentry—because they are a mutual insurance company—their business is built on a foundation of service to their policyholders. Although they’ve grown and changed a lot over the past 110 years, one thing hasn’t changed. They still work to serve policyholders, and to help their clients’ businesses thrive. For more information, visit www.sentry.com.

RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ Lights Up the Sky

Author, Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The response to Rancho Mesa’s proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ has been like a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, lighting up the sky. Countless clients from California and as far away as Illinois have already begun the certification process in a race to see who becomes the first Safety Star Team Member.

This program is designed to provide safety education to supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators and upper management in order to lower their company’s probability of work-related injuries, while promoting a safety culture. There are many reasons for completing the certification process, including improving the safety culture of the organization which:

•  Reduces the probability of claims.

•  Improves productivity by keeping your employees safely at work.

•  Demonstrates care about the impact a claim has on the employees’ families.

•  Provides a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace.

•  Lowers overall costs of insurance.

Leaders in the insurance marketplace agree, stating:

“Rancho Mesa is always thinking outside the box for their clients to help them better manage risk,” said Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. “We value Rancho Mesa’s efforts as they help prepare our policy holders for the future.”

“Policyholders that recognize their employees are their most valuable asset, investing in and promoting a safety culture at their company, are Stars in our books,” said Gene Simpson, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at CompWest Insurance. “Businesses that strive to get their employees safely home to their families at the end of the day are valued customers at CompWest Insurance Company, because they care about their employees and understand the importance of avoiding workplace injuries.”

This program is available exclusively to Rancho Mesa clients. If you have not already registered and want to enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

For non Rancho Mesa clients who want to learn more, please contact Alyssa Burley at (619)438-6869 or aburley@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa Kicks Off the Year With First Workshop

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Friday, January 11, 2019, Rancho Mesa hosted their first workshop of the year: Cal/OSHA: Enforcement vs. Consultation. The workshop took place at San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA. 

Area Manager of the Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch, Carmen H. Cisneros, delivered an informative presentation on the various services Cal/OSHA provides for companies. Instead of employers dreading Cal/OSHA visits, her goal is to educate business leaders and have them work side-by-side with Cal/OSHA to create a better workplace safety environment. She covered topics such as, onsite assistance, partnership programs, top 10 Cal/OSHA citations, and resources that OSHA provides.

Attendees came away with a better understanding of the various ways they can utilize Cal/OSHA for the benefit of their company’s safety. Carmen suggests scheduling an onsite consultation with Cal/OSHA so a company can correct any problems, rather than have a hazard detected during inspection; resulting in fines.

If you missed this workshop and want to learn more about the services available, contact CAL/OSHA at (619) 767-2060 to set up a one-on-one meeting with Area Manager of the Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch, Carmen H. Cisneros. If you are outside of the San Diego area, click here to find the Cal/OSHA Consultation area office closest to you.

Contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869 for more information about upcoming workshops.

Click here for a helpful article written by Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton, outlining key steps to take before, during, and after an OSHA visit.

Rancho Mesa Releases New Fillable Accident and Investigation Forms

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its new fillable accident and investigation forms to clients, in January 2019.

The new forms are distributed as fillable PDFs, making completing the information simple and easy for clients who are at a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The “Supervisor’s Report of Employee Accident or Near Miss” form now includes a body diagram where employees can specify exactly where the injury has occurred on the body. Identifying all injured body parts at the time of the accident is important when documenting a workplace injury. This ensures additional body parts are not added to the claim at a later time.

Each form in the library is offered in both English and Spanish. And, both versions are now combined into one PDF document, making distribution of the forms easier for employers.

Rancho Mesa clients can access the new forms through the online Risk Management Center, Accident and Investigation Center or by contacting the Client Services Department at (619) 438-6869.