Amendments to the rules on reporting work place injuries will save British companies thousands of hours of paper work, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the independent watchdog for work-related health and safety and illness.

Changes which came into effect on 6 April now mean that employers only have to report injuries which keep workers off normal duties for seven days or more. The previous time threshold was three days incapacitation, not including the day on which the accident occurred.

The HSE estimates the changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 act will see a 30 per cent fall in the number of legally reportable incidents – an average of 30,000 fewer reports a year.

The increase in the reporting threshold now aligns with the ‘fit note’ system, previously known as the ‘sick note’, which means anyone off work for more than seven days must have a professional medical assessment.

Employers however, must still keep a record of all injuries resulting in employee absence of three days, through other legislation in place, such as an accident book.

The deadline in which employers must report the over-seven-day incident to the relevant enforcing authority – either HSE or a local authority – has also increased from 10 to 15 days from the day of the accident.

HSE’s chair Judith Hackitt said: “The change to the RIDDOR regulations will cut paperwork, help employers manage sickness absence and ensure that the reporting system is focused on risks which have resulted in more serious injury.

“This is just one of many changes we are making to the health and safety system to make it simpler, clearer and more easily understood – stripping unnecessary paperwork out of the system without compromising essential protections for workers.”

Source – HSE and courtesy of HB & O Limited.

On Monday 19th March we said farewell to Angela Armstrong who left the company for pastures new in order for her to work nearer to home, thus saving her 2 hours a day travelling to and from work. It was a difficult decision for Angela and we are very sorry to see her go.

Angela worked as John’s assistant and joined the firm in April 2011. She was a very popular employee and settled in very quickly, with staff and client’s alike. We always had glowing reports about her service and attention to client’s being diligent and helpful in her work. We will certainly miss her, and take this opportunity to wish her well for the future.

At least we don’t have to hear all about Rangers FC / U2 and her quotes from well known scottish TV programmes in that gentle glaswegian accent of hers… !!

The search is now on for a replacement and we will keep you posted when this has concluded.

We thought you should know…….. 

Employers are legally responsible for employees who drive whilst at work.  The following 10 Essential Elements are designed to assist Companies to meet this duty of care. 

Management Policy

1. Assign a senior manager with specific responsibility for managing driving at work.
2. Implement a Health & Safety policy, which incorporates a driving at work policy.
3. Routinely undertake, record and act on the findings of risk assessments dealing with all aspects of driving at work including driver safety, vehicle safety and journey planning.
4. Ensure that every incident involving any vehicle driven on behalf of the company is recorded and that collective information is regularly analysed and action taken to reduce recurrence. 

Driver safety 

1. Provide a driver’s handbook that includes road safety guidance and sets out individual driver responsibilities, in support of the Company’s policies and procedures, eg what to do in the event of an incident. 
2. Ensure that all employees driving on behalf of the company are initially vetted, inducted and regularly assessed, to establish that they are properly licenced, competent, suitably trained and medically fit to do so. 

Vehicle Safety 

1. Ensure that when choosing vehicles to be used on behalf of the company, that they are entirely suitable for their intended purpose and that utmost importance is placed on safety features.
2. Ensure that all vehicles used on behalf of the company are regularly inspected and strictly maintained using the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules (and if applicable, in accordance with Operator licence requirements). 

Journey Planning 

1. Check whether a road journey is really necessary – and encourage the use of alternative modes of communication/transport where this is practical. 
2. Ensure that necessary journeys are scheduled to a realistic timetable and are planned to take into account the essential need for adequate rest periods.

Source – Aviva Insurance Limited.

On Sunday 11th December 2011, CMC Equines based in Fen End, Warwickshire, held their annual christmas show and competition at which ICIB were the main sponsors on the day.

John Townsley, Director of ICIB and horse owner was also taking part, entering the various dressage and showjumping events, including a fun event in some frantic gymkhana games. A fancy dress competition was also held.

There were over 20 people entered into each class. We are pleased to say John came 6th in the dressage, 4th in Gymkhana and 6th in the Jumping.

John said ” I am very happy with the results, moreso as I haven’t really ridden much this year, as my last competition was in the summer. Despite there being some tough comeptition we are all mainly here for some fun. I am equally glad we could help support the event and was only too happy to offer support to Claire (McCormick - yard owner) when she advertised the show” John was riding his own horse “Riley” who is a 17 hand hunter and despite being 16, went very well but was pretty tired at the end of the day, as John was !

ICIB can place all aspects of equine related insurance from horse & rider, to lorries and livery yards.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Claire Plant who joined us on 5th September, and will be responsible for running the personal insurance department, handling policies such as private motor, household, travel, personal accident, let property, equine, and motorcycle insurances.

Claire returns to the insurance profession after a few years away in other work but is looking forward to the challenges ahead in working with you and us, in growing this area of insurance.

for example, we can often save customers money, anywhere up to 25%  particularly on home insurance where this may be insured with the bank or building society, whilst maintaining the same policy cover.

If you have any questions, or would like a quotation please feel free to call Claire who will be happy to help you.

Warwickshire Police are highlighting local business owners in relation to arrangements and contingencies in the event of civil disorder in your area. We felt this may be of use to all of our customers, locally, and nationally. “Currently there is no intelligence to suggest that Warwickshire, in particular, is to be targeted, however the spontaneous and criminal nature of recent disorder across the country often involving just a few offenders make any predictions uncertain”. 

“Local police teams are contacting retail businesses and facility managers to offer precautionary advice to ensure your premises are as resilient as possible in the unlikely event of civil disorder.  The police will be giving particular attention to any vulnerable or attractive retail premises in our Towns, particularly those that include technology, phone shops, jewelers, those with cash machines and especially with residential premises attached”. 

Things to consider:- 

1. Up date key holder list and staff contact details 
2. Check Fire Prevention procedures and removal of combustible material 
3. Secure valuable stock and remove from view out of hours  
4. Report community intelligence and or suspicious activity 
5. Exchange contact details with local neighbours and residents 
6. Clear signage that your premises have CCTV 
7. Never put yourself in position where you are likely to get hurt.

we hope this may prove of use to you.

Following the rioting across the UK we’d just like to reassure you that we are ready to manage any claims arising and we’re working closely with various loss adjusters and insurers to support our customers.

If you need any further assistance or clarification please speak to your usual points of contact within the company, or Jo lapworth in our claims department.

If you think you’ll have a potential loss we would like to remind you of what’s needed. With this type of claim there are specific time lines to meet for insurers to be reimbursed by the local police authority.

The local police authority has a legal responsibility to reimburse anyone sustaining damage to property as the result of a riot under the Riot Damages Act 1886. Any claim under the Act must ‘’be made in writing and received by the local police authority within 14 days of the alleged incident”.

Insurers typically include within their Claims Notification Clause to the policy a requirement for any claim for riot and/or civil commotion to be notified to Insurers / brokers immediately with full supporting documentation. This needs to be received within seven days of the incident occurring specifically to prevent a recovery action being turned down by the police authority on basis that the action is time barred. Insurers are entitled to recover their outlays under the principle of subrogation.

if you are claiming you need to be aware that you must notify your Insurers immediately of any damage but equally important is that you must be able to quantify and substantiate your losses with potentially both a schedule of loss and statement of truth within a week of the incident occurring.

The Act excludes liability for loss or damage to cars left on public highways, goods left in shops for repair and/or consequential losses. Also all claims will be assessed in accordance with common law, which may not correlate directly to the basis of settlement provided for by the insurance contract.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your account handler, or Jo Lapworth in our claims department.

29th & 30th July 2011 – Carlisle, Cumbria.

We were invited to attend and co sponsor the 40th Anniversary open show and auction for the British limousin cattle society at the weekend with John & Matthew attending the event on behalf of the firm. over 2000 people attended the auction and exhibition at Ridley’s Farm on friday, who rear and breed the pedigree limousin cattle that is the majority beef brand consumed in the UK with over 70% of sales being derived from the breed.

Numerous trades and professions were present and also delegates from around the globe had travelled to this prestigious event.

John has handled the insurances for the society since 1994 and was invited to present two awards at the national limousin show on saturday, which was held in the auction house in Carlisle being one of the largest livestock auctions in the UK.

This was the largest event in Europe for the breed in 2011 and was a great success, with ICIB having an exhibition stand that generated a lot of interest from people attending and those exhibiting as insurance costs are increasing, or service standards declining with more independent brokers selling out to national concerns and the personal handler moving on as part of the acqusition.  

John & Matthew said “Having seen the considerable business that is derived and relies upon the agricultural and livestock sectors it is critical this industry receives more support within the UK, and something we should be supportive and proud of ”

John commented “it was an excellent weekend and we met a lot of good people and also potential clients. It was an honour to be invited and support the society after so many years in dealing with them. The organisation was excellent and we hope the event was a success for the society” 

Irvine Commercial can handle and place all aspects of Farm and Agricultural insurances including livestock, equine, machinery and property.

We are in the process of writing our first blog post, please check back soon.