| 2010 Third Quarter Newsletter |
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President's Message - August 2010 |
 In the transportation industry, it seems that now more than ever, the industry is rapidly changing. Keeping up with new legislatures, enforcements, and trends is crucial and I wanted to focus this Quarterly Newsletter on three very important issues.
First, we have developed a new insurance guide, "Utilizing Independent Contractors: 20 IRS Factors and Insurance Guidelines You Need to Know." Misclassifying employees is one of the most common errors which can lead to unpaid insurance claims, tax audits, and unanticipated expenses, all of which can be devastating to your business.
The second topic will be CSA 2010, arguably the most important issue currently facing all Motor Carriers. We have developed "CSA 2010 Quick Facts Guide", which will give you an in-depth look at the new initiative and how it will affect your business.
The third topic in this quarter's newsletter is written by Mark Schaaf, Business Development Liaison for Zurich Services Corporation, Risk Engineering Department and it focuses on OSHA record keeping, and the importance of properly documenting work related injuries and illnesses. We are finding more and more RFP's from potential customers are requesting your OSHA history and data to include in your bid for moving services and it is important from a marketing standpoint that you know your data relative to your peers for obtaining business.
As your trusted insurance provider, Paul Hanson Partners and Mover's Choice take pride in providing not only the best product in the marketplace, but also the best service. It is part of our job to keep you informed of current issues facing the industry, and we always encourage you to provide feedback. If there are issues you feel would be beneficial to discuss, please do not hesitate to make suggestions. As always, we appreciate your business, and we thank you for your loyalty and support.
Sincerely,
Lisa R. Paul, C.P.C.U
President/CEO
Paul Hanson Partners
MOVER'S CHOICE PROGRAM
Mailing Address: PO BOX 5990 Napa, CA 94581
Physical Address: 1319 First St Napa, CA 94559
Toll Free: (800) 852-1968
Fax: (707) 252-5905
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| Utilizing Independent Contractors | |
The use of independent contractors in the trucking industry has been occurring for decades. In recent years, however, moving and storage businesses started to feel the crunch from the recession, and began transitioning their traditional direct employees to independent contractors. Meanwhile, the recession has also caused a reduction in the state and local tax base, which could be one cause for the prolific auditing by state and federal government. The US Department of Labor has estimated that up to 30 percent of companies misclassify employees. In light of the IRS's crackdown on independent contractors, it is vital that moving and storage businesses seek professional advice before classifying workers as independent contractors.
Several things are at stake. First, improper contracts can result in unpaid insurance claims. Secondly, tax audits can be devastating. These can result in risk not anticipated in your business plan. We hope to provide you with some additional information as respects to how the IRS classifies independent contractors as well as how to protect your company from uninsured independent contractor insurance claims. Finally, your independent contractor agreement needs to be prepared to help protect you against the legal and insurance issues that may result in these relationships.
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE GUIDE!
Mover's Choice is proud to release our "2010 Guide: Utilizing Independent Contractors: 20 IRS Factors and Insurance Guidelines You Need to Know." This guide will not only better assist you with independent contractors, but it will also help you gain a better understanding of how our Mover's Choice program can benefit your business. To obtain our FREE GUIDE, visit OUR MOVER'S CHOICE WEBSITE where you'll find the link on the left side of the page. |
| CSA 2010 - Comprehensive Safety Analysis | |
One of the most important current issues facing Motor Carriers is the enforcement of CSA 2010. It is very important that all Motor Carriers familiarize themselves with CSA 2010, and how it affects your business individually. CSA 2010 is a Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck safety and ultimately reduce commercial motor vehicle related crashes, injuries and fatalities. It introduces a new enforcement and compliance model that allows FMCSA and its State Partners to contact a larger number of carriers earlier in order to address safety problems before crashes occur. Rolling out the program by the end of 2010 will establish a new nationwide system for making the roads safer for motor carriers and the public alike.
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE GUIDE!
In an effort to educate our customer on this important change, we have developed our "CSA 2010 Quick Facts Guide" which highlights the CSA 2010 initiative and also provides access to an in-depth video on this important topic. To obtain your FREE GUIDE, visit OUR MOVER'S CHOICE WEBSITE where you'll find the link of the left side of the page. |
| Safety Scores: Understanding and Reporting Safety Scores for your Organization |
It is understood by the moving and storage industry that the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 requires all industry employers to prepare and maintain records of work related injury and illnesses. In recent months, Moving and Storage Operations bidding on government projects are being asked to provide a Safety Score for their organization.
- What is a Safety Score and how are they reported?
- What is your company's experience modification for workers compensation and how is it developed?
- How do you define a recordable case rate?
- What is the proper way to log a Work-Related Injury on your OSHA Form?
Mark Schaaf, Business Development Liaison for Zurich Services Corporation, Risk Engineering Department has written the attached detailed article that helps answer these questions for our moving and storage clients.
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