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Harvest Season (Grain dryer safety tips)
Drivers on the Phone (800,000 using cell phones right this minute)
Health Plan Summary-Update (Why March 23, 2012 is important)
COBRA (Premium subsidy expires)
Retirement Plan Fee-Update (disclosure rule is extended)
Healthiest State Program (Gov. Brandstadt announced this program)
Upcoming Webinar (Employee wellness can benefit the company)
Warning! (Grain engulfment dangers)
OSHA at Your Door (How to be prepared for their visit) |
 |  Business Insurance |
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800,000 Drivers Are Using Cell Phones Right This Minute - A Growing Problem
 Some of these distracted drivers are employees engaged in business conversations while driving. If there's an at fault accident the employer could find their insurance might come in to play for liability judgments in addition to disability and workers compensation. For a copy of The Hartford's Distracted Driving information click here. To discuss further contact your ABIS Account Executive.
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| Employee Benefits |
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Health Plan Summary of Benefits and Coverage
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires health plan and health insurance issuers to begin providing a summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) no later than March 23, 2012. An SBC is a concise document providing simple and consistent information about health plan benefits and coverage. (read more) |
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COBRA Premium Subsidy Expires
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided a temporary subsidy for the cost of COBRA. While the subsidy has expired for most participants, the Department of Labor has issued the following Frequently Asked Question describing an exception to the expiration date.(read more)
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| Financial Services |
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Update on Retirement Plan Fee Disclosure
As a follow up to our previous newsletter article: Fee Disclosure for Participants of Retirement Plans please note the Department of Labor announced an extension of the deadlines. To comply with new retirement plan fee disclosure regulations - for both the plan sponsor and participants the new effective date for the interim final plan sponsor disclosure rule is extended from Jan. 1, 2012, to April 1, 2012.
Also, for participants, initial disclosures must now be furnished no later than the later of: 60 days after the plan's anniversary date that occurs on or after Nov. 1, 2011, or 60 days after the effective date of the plan sponsor fee disclosure rule (April 1, 2012)
In other words, the earliest plan sponsors would need to comply with the initial participant disclosure rules is May 31, 2012, and that date could be later depending on the plan anniversary date. (back to top) |
| Wellness |
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Healthiest State in the Nation Program for Iowa
Governor Terry Branstad has announced an ambitious public-private program to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within the next five years. The initiative will focus on helping all Iowans to make comprehensive lifestyle changes at a grassroots level. (read more) |
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WEBINAR - Employee Health Impacts Employer Wealth
 Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
Presented by Susie Roberts, Health Management Services Account Executive
Combining Employee Wellness & Safety Strategies Improves Your Company's Bottom Line -- Join us to learn more about how the integration of good health and a safe work environment make good business sense for your people and your company.
| Title: | Employee Health Impacts Employer Wealth | | Date: | Thursday, October 27, 2011 | | Time: | 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT |
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Risk Management |
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OSHA Issues Warning on Grain Engulfment Dangers
 OSHA released a hazard alert Aug. 17 explaining the dangers of working in grain storage bins. The alert warns that workers inside grain storage bins can be exposed to hazards such as engulfments and entrapments, fires and explosions, falls, crushing injuries, and amputations. The agency also unveiled a wallet card that summarizes the alert and offers advice to employers on how to keep workers safe from the hazards. The card includes illustrations depicting how a grain engulfment can occur.
Grain engulfments are a growing concern for OSHA. The agency cited a Purdue University report showing that in 2010, at least 51 grain entrapments occurred - the most on record - and 26 people died.
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Preparing for an OSHA Visit
 The best way to avoid paying fines for violating Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards is to always be prepared for an inspection. Since an OSHA officer has no obligation to inform an employer of the inspection ahead of time, the visit will usually be unannounced. However, companies in industries with particular hazards and companies who have previously experienced a death in the workplace are most vulnerable to an OSHA inspection. Planning for an assessment before it happens will make it go more smoothly, allow you to be in control and create a positive impression on the OSHA officer, all of which will result in fewer citations.
This link will take you to a guide we've created to assist our clients in preparing for an OSHA inspection. (back to top) |
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