Presidents Message

December…the holidays are here, can you believe it?  So much to look forward to!  December is also the time that I can look back at our successes for the past year and thank those whose contributions are the cause for these successes. 

We had excellent speakers at our luncheon meetings due to all of Stacy Steven’s hard work, thank you Stacy.  Thank you also to Diane Wren who made sure registration and seating were well taken care of and all who assisted her.  Our Education Day was outstanding…thank you Ruth Lindstrom.  Thank you Bill Witt and to all our speakers as well, for a job well done.  By the way, Ruth also deserves a second thank you for being such an active legislative director for our chapter. 

Another thank you to Diane Wren and Amber Brown for coordinating the monthly newsletters and the friendly reminder for articles.  And, thank you to all who contributed articles.

I must extend my gratitude to Mike Carlin for chairing the annual fundraising golf tournament event.  Golf tournaments are second nature to him now.  He knows how to get the job done…and is willing to teach anyone who wants to chair this event in the future.  Also, much thanks to our volunteers for without your help, it would have been an impossible task.  We are also grateful to our Friends of RIMS for their sponsorships and attendance.  You are the reason why we have such a great time and the event is a success each and every year.

We cannot forget all the planning and preparation that goes into the holiday party.  Thanks to Michelle Darringer’s hard work, the party is the grand finale of the year.  Luckily Michelle and Rae Knapp have outstanding taste so our prizes are always exceptional.  Thank you, Michelle and Rae.

Thank you to our newest board members, who are now very well-seasoned:  Scott Ritto, Madeline Ramirez, Dennis Healy and Becky Smith.  Thank you for your innovations and willingness to continue to serve on our board.

A big, warm thank you to John Pinner for his many years of service to the L.A. Chapter.  He has been our solid rock.  He has seen it all and has pointed us in the right direction every time. 

I would like to thank each and every board member for providing me their support throughout the year.  Without your support, my role would have been much more difficult.

People are this Chapter’s greatest asset.  When we pull together and strive for the common goal, that is when we gain the most.  Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a successful new year!

Kathy Merkovsky                                                                                                         

L.A. RIMS President                              

THE L. A. CHAPTER SAYS GOODBYE TO JOHN PINNER

John Pinner, who held the position of Delegate for the L. A. Chapter, has spent more than 20 years on the Board of Directors.  John recently retired from Mattel Toys after 42 years of service.  John started out as an auditor at Mattel, and continued moving up through the company in budgeting, financial control, cash management and then insurance and real estate and finally, as Assistant Treasurer.  During John’s retirement, he plans to spend more time with his family, including his two grandchildren, Julia who is 20 months old and John, who is 10 weeks old.  Most of you have met or seen John’s son Paul.  He is the photographer who takes the pictures at the Holiday Party. 

Please join us at the Annual Holiday Party held at the Jonathan Club, next Wednesday, December 10, to congratulate John on his retirement and have your picture taken.  See you there!

Millions of children in the United States will NOT have a single gift to open this Holiday Season!! This year RIMS is aiming to change that and make sure EVERY child has at least one present.  The Toys for Tots Program is here to put a BIG smile on the face of a Needy Child in your community.  Please support this cause by bringing a toy to the December 10th Holiday Party.  A representative from Toys for Tots will be present at the RIMS Holiday Party to collect the toys.  We thank you for supporting this cause.

For each toy donated you will receive a raffle ticket for a special drawing to be held at the December 10, 2003, RIMS Holiday Party.

NIOSH Study Links Ethylene Oxide and Breast Cancer

A newly published NIOSH study suggests an association between occupational exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO), a disinfecting agent, and increased risk for breast cancer in women.  The study of 7,578 women found that those at the highest levels of exposure had a nearly twofold increase over the normal incidence of the disease.

NIOSH anticipates that results of the study will help scientists design further research needed to establish a definite link.  Although EtO has been classified as a potential occupational carcinogen for many years, and has been associated in past studies with mammary tumors in animals, human evidence was limited.  The study is reported in the journal Cancer, Causes and Control 2003, No. 14.

Big Boost  in Home-Based Workers; Are you Protecting Yourself

The number of employed Americans who work from home during business hours at least one day per month has increased by nearly 40 percent since. 2001.  That's among findings of a survey by the International Telework Association and Council (ITAC).  The group also found that 42 percent of those work from home at least one day per week, and 22 percent work at home daily or nearly every day.

ITAC defines a teleworker as (anyone who works at home at a client's office, in a satellite office, or a telework center, or on the road."  A key factor in the growth has been technology advances that greatly simplify working at a distance from the office or other workplace.

Many employers acknowledge they have not caught up with the trend in terms or efforts to protect home-based employees.  OSHA changed its position about employer responsibility in the wake of a much-publicized flap over a letter of interpretation suggesting home worksites could be subject to OSHA inspection.  Although an OSHA visit in considered unlikely, employers are still required to safeguard their employees in any location.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first designated Hard Hat Area was at the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge construction site.  The hard hats were used to protect workers from falling rivets.

Source:  Bullard.com

The Loss Control Supervisor reports to the Assistant  Division Chief, CAO and assists management by supervising and coordinating the County of Los Angeles loss control functions for specific County departments; or countywide vehicle liability, general liability, medical malpractice, sheriff and public safety liability, OSHA, industrial hygiene and workers  compensation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides advanced loss control services to departments and districts Countywide.

• Performs loss control surveys and completes detailed loss control reports.

• Assists management in developing and implementing risk management techniques to reduce or minimize departments and districts losses.

• Develops and implements loss control workshops, seminars, and other training.

• Provides advanced loss control consultative services to assist County and districts  in developing effective risk management programs, e.g., industrial hygiene, selecting risk management program priorities; providing suggestion for organizing loss control programs; performs hazard analysis; conducts hazard and exposure surveys; trains departments  supervisors and assigned risk management or loss control staff in risk management or loss control areas; provides resources, audio/visuals or materials; and performs loss analysis and investigation.

• Submits detailed loss control recommendations to assist in deficiency correction.

• Maintains an understanding of corresponding laws, rules and regulations, and keeps informed of new loss control and risk management techniques and equipment.

• Provides coordination and supervision of assigned staff.

• Assists management review and improve loss control work product.

COMPENSATION

Monthly Salary: $6,624 - $8,229

Steven E. NyBlom, CSP, CPEA, ARM, ALCM

Loss Control Manager

County of Los Angeles

CAO Risk Management Branch

3333 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 820

Los Angeles, CA  90010

snyblom@cao.co.la.ca.us

(213) 351-5357

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Dole Food Company, a Fortune 500 world leader in the production and marketing of fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, and a growing line of packaged foods is seeking a dynamic Corporate Risk Analyst to join its winning team!  To learn more about us and to apply for this position, please submit your resume via our web site at http://www.dole.com

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer!

Primary Purpose

Supports the Corporate Risk Manager by providing comprehensive risk analysis and finance administration of all facets of insurance and risk management programs.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include maintenance and utilization of RMIS, budgeting for fixed expenses and loss reserve accruals, securing underwriting data for policy renewals, reviewing binders and policies for accuracy, analyzing insurance provisions of contracts (leases, maintenance, services, etc.), interfacing with brokers and developing database reports to support management's requests for information, responding to requests for information from internal departments, brokers and carriers.

 Experience:

Knowledge & Skills Requirements

3-5 years experience in Corporate Risk Management, Broker or Insurance Carrier
2 years experience analyzing self-insured or large retention programs, preferred
Ability to prioritize dynamic workload and effectively meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Must be advanced in Excel, PowerPoint and Word
Strong written and verbal communication
Ability to be a team player and work independently
Ability to interact and service internal and external customers
Demonstration of strong work ethic and multi-tasking

Education Required

BS Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or Risk Management.

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Regional Claims Manager

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., the name behind some of the largest and most recognized hotels and resorts worldwide (to include Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, Four Points, W, Luxury Collection Resorts) is seeking a San Diego based Regional Claims Manager to assist the Regional Vice President of Operations and the Corporate Claim Manager in developing and implementing claim management programs to optimize cost control and enhance employee relations for our southern California properties.  Responsibilities would include working with hotels and third party administrator in aggressive management of workers compensation claims, Return to Work program implementation and training, quarterly claim reviews, claim litigation management and assistance and guidance in managing injured associates.  Candidate will have a BS/BA in Business or a related field and a minimum of 5 years handling California workers’ compensation indemnity claims to include litigated losses and exposure to the hearing process and experience supervising or managing others. Excellent knowledge of claims management operations, effective time management, interpersonal, problem solving and communications skills.  Ability to take ownership and work independently.  Knowledge of hotel industry, ARM Certification and bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred.  Hearing Representative experience a plus.  We provide an excellent benefit and compensation package.  Please send resume with compensation history to rcantrell@starlodge.com.  The position will expire on 12/3/2003.  We are an equal opportunity employer.  M/F/D/V