RE-marks Archive

Folks, as some of you already know, my long (and elongated) working career is coming to an official end on 2/1/2022.

Common law is not fixed, it evolves!

By R.B. Wright, CPCU

Electrical utility line work is dangerous. It is one of a limited number of jobs where workers simply cannot afford to have a “bad day.”

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

As we approach the midsummer holiday, it seems like a good time to reflect on what the future may hold for us as we begin to leave the isolation of the pandemic defensive measures and start to return to the “new normal” of the work environment.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Utilities can take steps to enhance safety for their employees who work alone.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

It seems that this issue of RE-marks has become a greatest hits collection, as a direct reaction to some recent events. In the case that sparked this article, a recent "notice of claim" was submitted to the program following a first report contact from the plaintiff’s attorney.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Quite often our safety articles are inspired by questions, comments, or anecdotes that arise in our consultations with you, our clients. Other times though, the subjects are raised by our program managers and insurance partners in response to claims trends seen in the group as a whole. This is one of the latter type of articles, inspired by claims trends.  

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued a formal advisory in response to the recent surge in cyberattacks, after finding a 400% increase in cyberattack reports during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

This is a good time to re-examine the way monthly safety meetings are run.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

I recently received an email in which the writer started out saying, “Strange days.” Strange days indeed are upon us.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

New technology offers the possibility of finding defects before they cause failures!

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

In my consultation meetings with utility safety leaders around the country, the subject of medically fragile or medically dependent consumers comes up in many of the discussions. 

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU 

"The logical goal of inspections is to spot potential issues and schedule appropriate fixes before they cause serious problems."

R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

During visits and calls with members of this Power Program, I frequently find that our conversations about how to get good ideas off the conference room table and into the workers’ minds end up in discussions of company culture.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Here’s something that all drivers need to be aware of. That vehicle you are driving is not your father’s jalopy.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

One commonly used method to transfer risk and avoid liability claims is the  hiring of outside providers, or subcontractors, to handle specialty work or technically challenging tasks.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

When I was young, many years ago, the euphemism that was used to (somewhat) more politely say, “Mind your own business,” was “Stick to your knitting.” I don’t hear that much anymore, but instead we now often hear a different expression for this euphemism, which is, “Stay in your lane.”

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Of all our regular safety topics, safe driving may be the one that is most often taken for granted. But, when you stop to think about it, vehicles are among the most dangerous tools utilities provide to their workers. 

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Fleet guidelines and safe driving have been discussed in past issues of this newsletter many times.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

In much of the country, spring is in the air, and that means that paving season is upon us.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Here’s a quick reminder to check the values on your property schedules, and few other odds and ends too. 

By Jess A. Hurtado, Program Manager and R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Wildfires are not just the "other guys" problem, they affect us all.  

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

As I have discussed with several of you over the few past months, some tweaks have been planned for our safety consulting services and will take effect with the New Year of 2019. 

By Dean B. Wisecarver (Edited by R. Bruce Wright)

Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from an original post by our founder,
Dean B. Wisecarver, back in the October 2000 edition of RE-marks.
I thought it was worth lightly editing and revisiting.

By R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

Voltage claims, also referred to as fluctuation claims, appliance claims, or electrical damage claims, are perhaps the most common type of claims utilities experience. They are frequent, and although often modest in cost, they can take up a great amount of time and effort to handle.