Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.
Los Angeles Chapter

L.A. RIMS NEWS

 The Newsletter for Risk and Insurance Management Professionals

L.A. RIMS News July 2004

 

 L.A. RIMS Links

 L.A. RIMS Website
 Board Officers 

 Executive Referrals
 
Membership Info
 
List of Members

 Legislation
 Related Links

Calendar of Events

July 21st
L.A. RIMS Luncheon

August 18th
L.A. RIMS Boat Tour Luncheon - The Port of Los Angeles

September 15th
Friends of RIMS Night
L.A. Times

October 20th
L.A. RIMS Luncheon

November 17th
Annual Meeting

December 8th
Holiday Party

Register for the July 21st  Meeting

Welcome New Members

 

Alice Bou

Dole Food Company Inc.

 

Marc Feldman

Koletsky, Mancini, Feldman & Morrow

 

Frank Rice

The Olson Company

LA RIMS Board Officers 2004

President/Treasurer
Michael Carlin, ARM, CPCU

Executive V.P.
Dennis Healy


Secretary
Rae Knapp, CPCU, ARM

RIMS Delegate
Kathy Merkovsky

Programs
Tanya Karn, ARM, ALCM
Stacy Stevens, CPCU, ARM, AIC

Membership
Paula Ferrini
Becky Smith, ARM

Facilities & Communication
Diane Wren, ARM

Education
Scott Ritto, ARM

Legislation & Compliance
Ruth Lindstrom, ARM

Public Relations
Madeline Ramirez, ARM

Directors
Todd Marumoto
Bill Witt

Administrator
L.A. RIMS Office
Amber Brown

If you would like to submit articles for the monthly newsletter, please note that articles must be received by  the 15th of each month.   Submit articles to RIMS@emaoffice.com

Please submit a correction to the RIMS directory to
amber@emaoffice.com

Copyright 2004,
Risk and Insurance
Management Society,
Los Angeles Chapter

 

President's Message

Summer has arrived, even though it has been a little unseasonably cool, and I truly enjoy spending some additional time with my family. During the summer months, the Board only meets in June and so we always have a lot to discuss before we say goodbye until August. One item always discussed is what will the 2005 Board look like.

I have been part of the L.A. RIMS Board for many years and have seen a lot during those years. There were a few years, even though we had fourteen folks, 90% of the work was done by only a few. I can say, with a smile, that this year this is not the case. As I looked around the room during our June meeting, each person had already made a significant contribution in supporting the Chapter’s mission. As important, I also realized I considered the people around the table not just as associates, but also as friends.

So, we are always looking for a few good members who are interested in joining our Board of Directors. So you need to ask yourself, would you like to make a difference, if so, consider joining our Board.

Those that are interested are invited to attend our strategic planning meeting which will be held on Wednesday August 18th 2004, at the Port of Los Angeles. We’ll enjoy lunch and a boat cruise of the harbor prior to our meeting. I have not missed the boat tour in several years because it is extremely interesting and amazing the level of activity in the Port. I promise, if you show up, you will not be disappointed. If that does not convince you, consider this – the boat tour that Kathy Merkovsky graciously hosts, is similar to boat tours given to foreign dignitaries.

In closing, on behalf of the Los Angeles Chapter of RIMS, I would like to congratulate Steve Wilder, Vice President of The Walt Disney Company for being named one of the "100 Most Influential People in Finance" by Treasury & Risk Magazine.  This is a great accomplishment and we are privileged to have you as a member of our local Chapter – way to go Steve.

Michael Carlin
L.A. RIMS President

Chapter Clips

RIMS 2004 Western Regional Conference

The Southern California Chapters of RIMS Cordially Invite You

to the RIMS 2004 Western Regional Conference

This conference provides the ideal setting for risk management professionals to gather and share knowledge, discuss current trends and issues with experts and peers, provide motivation to implement new techniques, and enhance your risk management career.  The conference is open to RIMS members only, which includes primary, secondary, and additional deputies as well as those who qualify for membership but have not yet joined.

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If air travel is required to attend this conference, please note that the Hyatt Newporter provides complimentary transportation to and from John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, California.  Go to http://www.ocair.com for more information regarding this airport and other available ground transportation options.

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Included in this registration packet are the following items:

Registration Form and Schedule of Sessions

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Important Dates:

Early Bird Registration postmarked on or before July 30

Standard Registration postmarked July 31 thru September 7

Late Registration postmarked September 8 thru September 24

(Please refer to registration form for prices)

GOODY BAG DONATIONS

Corporate member donations only; no vendors please.

The Western Regional Conference Committee is looking for “goody bag” items to be included in registration bags that will be distributed to conference attendees.  Please send an email to kmerkovsky@portla.org noting the items your company would like to donate.  Additional information will be provided upon receipt of your email.  Thank you for your anticipated generosity!

Boat Tour of the Port of Los Angeles

Save the date: August 18th!  The monthly luncheon meeting for August will be a boat tour of the Port of Los Angeles.  The boat will leave the dock at exactly 11:30 a.m. and return at 1:00 p.m.  The tour includes lunch, sunshine, and a sea breeze as well as the opportunity to network with peers, while boating through the harbor.  You don’t want to miss this annual favorite!  Directions and registration information will be forthcoming.

 

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE RIMS BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

If you would like to join the RIMS Board of Directors, please join us for our 2005 Strategic Planning Meeting which will follow the boat tour.  The meeting will be held at the administration building at the Port of Los Angeles.  The address is 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90732.  The meeting will be held in Room 403 and will begin at 1:15 p.m.  Please contact the RIMS office if you are interested in attending the 2005 Strategic Planning Meeting.

Legislative Updates

NIOSH is partnering with Harvard in a study of the effects of shift work and physical demands on the reproductive health of female nurses

Auto-ROPS bar sits no higher than the operator's head.  However, its arms can telescope upward on compression springs when unlatched.

When the sensor detects that a tractor is tilting on uneven terrain in a way likely to cause a turnover, it signals the latches to release.  This moves the rollover bar to a level higher than the operator's head, protecting the head from fatally striking the ground or bearing the impact of the rollover.

The system is considered an improvement over a fixed ROPS, which remains elevated above the level of the operator's head, because that device can be impossible to use in orchards and other settings where clearance is low.

Substantial Hazard Permits: 
Latest Version of California Rule Change Would Extend Liability for Permit Violations

Cal/OSHA is moving closer to changing the way permits are issued.  More than a year ago, an advisory committee began work on revising the permit process required by Labor Code Section 6500 for work environments where there is a substantial risk of injury.  According to the code these include the construction of trenches or excavations five feet or deeper; the construction or demolition of buildings, structures false-work, or scaffolding more than three feet high; or the use of diesel engines in underground mines or tunnels.

The rule change would require more than one party to obtain a permit for hazardous work.  The most recent proposal rule would overrule an Appeals Board decision that limited liability at worksites to the employer most directly involved with the high-risk activity.  For example under the proposed rule, not only would the contractor responsible for the constructing a scaffold higher than three feet be required to obtain a permit, so would any contractor that used the scaffolding.  If the proposed rule is adopted, any contractor that violates the permit requirements could be held liable, rather than just the contractor that was directly responsible for the scaffolding.

The proposed rule would require two types of permits.  The contractor with overall responsibility for the worksite would be required to obtain a project permit.  The specialty contractor responsible for the hazardous work would be required to obtain an annual permit from Cal/OSHA.  Under the proposed rule, annual permits and activity notification requirements would remain unchanged.

We'll continue to monitor these developments and report changes in future issues of Cal/OSHA Compliance Advisor.

Job Opportunities

Risk Manager

Please contact Josh Goodman, BridgeGate, 949-553-9200 ext. 233 or send email to jgoodman@bridgegate.com

Company Description: Leading Provider of Dental Practice Management Services in a $73B industry.

Company Size: ~2000 total people, 128 affiliated dental offices, ~$224M in revenue.

Company Growth: Growth of 4% year over year. EBITDA is expected to grow from 8.9% to 11%. Opening 5 dentist offices a year.

Reports to: CFO

Responsibilities:

* Establish Risk philosophy

* Manage Broker - Willis

* Support office locations

* Provide Litigation support

* Implement policies and procedures to reduce claims

* Oversight of D&O, EPLI, Crime, Fiduciary, Auto, E&O, WC, G&L

Personality: Customer service oriented, strategic in nature, thinks outside of the box

Requirements

*5+ years experience in a Risk Management role.

* Multi-Site location experience preferred

* Degree preferred

* Somebody who can work with limited supervision

* Limited Travel

Company Location:

El Segundo, CA

Risk Management Coordinator

This position is with the Legal Affairs department at the corporate headquarters of Gemstar-TV Guide International in Hollywood, CA.

Duties: Receives, reviews and, if applicable, reconciles loss runs from existing and expiring carriers. Maintains files on all claims (e.g., workers comp, general liability and auto liability) and processes requests for certificates of insurance. Assists in the gathering and compiling of information for submission to the insurance carriers. Completes insurance applications and maintains database of underwriting information. Analyzes insurance quotes and premiums, and processes premium payments. Maintains files relating to correspondence, binders, invoices and premium quotes. Follows up for policies with insurance brokers and carriers and assists in reviewing such policies upon receipt. Photocopies, scans documents for e-mail capability, faxes, word processing and spreadsheets as required. Also provides second level administrative support to the Senior Vice President of Litigation.

Requirements: 3-5 years related experience within a corporate risk management department, insurance brokerage firm, or insurance company. Strong Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills and typing speed of 50+ WPM a must. Good organizational and communications skills, as well as solid attention to detail. BA/BS degree highly preferred.

Qualified candidates should e-mail their resume and salary history to jobs01@tvguide.com  NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE. EOE.

Workers’ Compensation/Leave of Absence Specialist

PURPOSE: To administer workers’ compensation claims and assist in coordinating leaves of absence.

 MAJOR JOB DUTIES

  • Report workers’ compensation claims to insurance carrier. Coordinate with insurance companies, medical providers, legal entities, management and claimants. Actively manage claims using effective applications of case management and assist in closing claims in a timely manner.

  • Work with Safety/Security Manager to conduct and coordinate investigations of claims.

  • Develop and distribute safety/wellness communications.

  • Monitor and enforce local, state and federal safety and health regulations as well as company accident reporting and investigation procedures.

  • Coordinate applicant health and safety screenings and employee drug testing program.  Coordinate return to work program.  

  • Compile accident and injury related data.  Generate various reports, such as, accident reports, worker’s compensation injury/trend and cost analyses. Conduct research, compile and analyze data and make related recommendations for reducing incidents and costs. 

  • Assist with expense preparation and management.

  • Assist in maintaining OSHA logs and monitoring litigation on all claims

  • Assist with coordination of modified duty program.

  • Assist with coordination of leaves of absence including;

  • Processing appropriate paperwork

  • Coordinating with payroll, management, corporate and LTD carrier as required.

  • Answering employee questions on FMLA/CFRA/PDL and various other leave    related issues.

  • Coordinate special reports and projects and assist with other HR programs and functions.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Three years experience in CA Workers’ Compensation or equivalent experience preferred. Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.  Must be knowledgeable of Department of Labor and State of California worker’s compensation regulations. Must have working knowledge of CAL/OSHA. Knowledge of employment law preferred. Previous experience in administering leaves of absence a plus. Requires good analytical, mathematical, and problem solving skills and ability to perform statistical and trend analyses and generate reports.  Must be PC literate, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Requires strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills. Must be well organized and able to handle multiple functions simultaneously. Must have valid California Driver’s License and good driving record. Must provide own transportation. EOE/M/F/D/V 

To apply, please visit us online at www.accesstimewarner.com and refer to job # 27408.