Commercial drivers "ring in the New Year" could be in trouble if they answer a ringing cell phone while driving. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has set January 3, 2012 as the effective date of the new hand-held cell-phone ban that was announced in late November and published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2011.The rule — issued jointly by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) — proh...

  If you as an employer either provide or encourage through reimbursement the use of cell phones or other wireless technology devices in the conduct of your business, you need to also be aware of the potential liability that such use creates for your company.  As the “deep pocket,” any injury resulting from negligence of an employee while using a cell phone may be vicariously transferred to you through the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior” (master/servant).   When an e...

The 10-Step Program provides guidelines for what an employer can do to improve traffic safety performance and minimize the risk of motor vehicle crashes. Following these steps helps to ensure that you hire capable drivers, only allow eligible drivers to drive on company business, train them, supervise them, and maintain company vehicles properly. Adherence to these 10 steps can also help to keep your motor vehicle insurance costs as low as possible. Senior Management Commitment & Employee...

Risk Mitigation Alert-Lykes Insurance   An often overlooked exposure to loss in both liability and workers’ compensation is from the use of non-owned automobiles. A non-owned auto is generally defined as any auto the named insured does not own, lease, hire, rent or borrow that is used in connection with its business.   Autos owned by your employees and used while acting within the scope of their employment in the conduct of your business establishes an exposure to loss for you...

It can be hard to hear your kids call your beloved television show reruns, choice of music, hairstyle, and/or clothes old school, but you'll have to remember that you probably didn't exactly jive with your parent's choices either. While Elvis's Rubbernecking may forever play in your head and never become dated in your eyes, you should realize that your driving techniques may be one dated area truly in need of an update. The advances made to automotive technology and in safety research have likel...

Substance abuse problems among employees cost businesses billions of dollars each year. According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in that year, 73% of the nation's adults with alcohol or drug dependence were employed either full- or part-time. This amounts to nearly 13 million Americans working under the influence. Put another way, this data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration means that 8% of full-time employed adults and 10.2% of part-tim...