THE OSHA ISSUE SEW THIS ACADIANA FUNJUMPS

TH
E FOTFHTEHLEOLUOI S
UIIASN
IA
NRS U
TR
U ICOTNI OAN
AN
DDIUNSDTU
RSYS A
AT
TH
E EO O
F FFIFCIICAILA L
MM
A GAAGZAI Z
NIENO
ANCAOC
NO
ST
CT
ND
IN
R SYT A
OSCSI O
AC
TIO
NI O N
VOLUME 8
ISSUE 2
APRIL 2016
THE OSHA ISSUE
SEW THIS
ACADIANA FUNJUMPS
P.3
P.9
P.11
the member services arm of lci workers’ comp
CONTENTS:
Association News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
On the Issues: The OSHA Issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Member Spotlight: Sew This . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Member Spotlight: Acadiana FunJumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-16
LCI Workers’ Comp Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-19
Association News:
Successful start to LCIA’s new programs.
Since introducing our new programs at the beginning of the year, we have held several successful events and engaged with many LCI
policyholders. You can learn more about LCIA’s programs on page 11 or at lciassociation.com/programs. Highlights from the first quarter include:
1
:: Locally Vested in Baton Rouge:
:: Family Day in Bossier City:
On February 17th, LCIA was joined by the Baton Rouge Area
Chamber (BRAC), who gave the presentation, “An Economic
Outlook for the Capital Region.” A well attended lunch, it was
a successful first event in LCIA’s Locally Vested series.
LCIA’s Family Day is our semiannual member appreciation event,
and the next one is on the calendar. On Saturday, May 21st, we will
be celebrating with our policyholders at Party Central in Bossier
City. Turn to page 3 for the details. We hope to see you there!
:: Agriculture Industry webinar featuring Commissioner Strain:
:: Tune In each week:
On January 28th, Commissioner Mike Strain of Louisiana’s
Department of Agriculture and Forestry gave a “State
of the Agriculture Industry” webinar exclusively for LCI
policyholders. A recording of the webinar can be viewed at
youtube.com/lciassociation.
Don’t forget to Tune In with LCIA every Tuesday at 2:00. During
the first part of 2016, our guests have included business
resource organizations, a graphic designer, a tax accountant,
and a safety consultant. Tune In guests discuss their industry
and their work, with the discussion focused on how Louisiana
businesses can engage with someone in that industry.
LCIA Events:
April
May
June
WORKERS’ COMP 101
EN ESPAÑOL
LOCALLY VESTED:
ACADIANA
WHEN: APRIL 22, 2016
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WHERE:COVINGTON,
THE CHIMES RESTAURANT
WHEN: TENTATIVE DATE: MAY 12
WHERE:TBD
LAFAYETTE
CONTR ACTOR
NET WORKING NIGHT
AT ZEPHYR FIELD
WORKERS’ COMP
ORIENTATION EXPRESS
WHEN: JUNE 9, 2016
6:00 PM - THE GAME ENDS
WHERE: ZEPHYR FIELD
METAIRIE
WHEN: MAY 19, 2016
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
WHERE: CATFISH CHARLIE’S
MONROE
FAMILY DAY AT
PART Y CENTR AL WHEN: MAY 21, 2016
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: PARTY CENTRAL
BOSSIER CITY
Tune In is LCIA’s new weekly webinar series.
Every Tuesday at 2:00, we invite you to tune in and get LCI Workers’ Comp and LCIA updates, see what’s
happening across Louisiana, and be introduced to a valuable business resource.
Learn more about Tune In on page six of this issue, and find out who is tuning in with us at
lciatunein.eventbrite.com
For more information and to
register for these events, go
to lciassociation.eventbrite.com
or email Christina Buras at
[email protected].
2
IT’S A L L F U N A N D G A
MES
5
LCIA’s
Y
DA
Y
L
I
M
FA
nt r a l
SS
PR-EA-TART
S
TO
Pa rt y C e
C it y , L A 7 11 11
r
ie
s
s
o
B
,
e
iv
r
D
g
in
4 4 0 1 V ik
A M – 3 :0 0 PM
0
:0
11
,
16
0
2
1,
2
y
a
M
Satu rda y ,
LCIA is excited to host our
spring Family Day at Party Central in
Bossier City. Our guests will have access to all
of Party Central’s attractions including the arcade,
go-karts, mini golf, and much more. What’s a party without
food? We’ll be serving lunch for all of our guests, as well.
A beloved tradition of LCIA, we throw Family Day twice-a-year to
show you, LCI policyholders, our appreciation. Not to mention, you work
hard all year, so let LCI and LCIA treat you to an afternoon of family fun.
To register, visit lciafamilyday.eventbrite.com. Admission is free, but
tickets are limited. Please register early.
In an effort to give back, we spotlight a charity at each Family
Day. We will be collecting items for Shreveport Bossier Rescue
Mission. You can find a list of recommended items on our
registration page. Your generosity is appreciated.
Maximum tickets per company: 5*
PR ESENTED BY:
Please note: registering parties must include a representative
from a company that holds an active LCI Workers’ Comp
policy. If the registered party does not fall under
an active policy, the registration will
be canceled.
Meet LCI’s 3,500+ policyholders.
LCI Policyholders by Industry
AGRICULTURE & Natural resources: 8.33%
CONSTRUCTION, utilities, & property SERVICES: 47.49%
Education & Social Services : 2.15%
healthcare & wellness: 1.59%
Hospitality & entertainment: 5.25%
professional services: 1.67%
manufacturing, fabrication, & Processing: 3.34%
retail, sales, & other services: 9.57%
Transportation, freight, & warehousing: 20.6%
TOTAL: 3771 members As of March 2016
LCI Policyholders by Region
ACADIANA: 13%
NEW ORLEANS: 40%
BATON ROUGE: 17 %
NORTH: 14%
CENTRAL: 10%
SOUTHWEST: 5%
TOTAL: 3771 members As of March 2016
Who is LCIA?
LCIA is a business development partner
for all businesses insured by LCI
Workers' Comp. These businesses span
across Louisiana and come from many
different industries.
Above are two graphs displaying the
composition of LCI policyholders. One
graph depicts the different industries
represented by LCI-insured businesses,
and the other displays the geographical
distribution of all LCI policyholders.
LCIA is proud to work with a variety of
businesses. We believe the diversity
within our network is special, and
through networking and collaboration,
we believe it can only serve to help you
in your business endeavors. To connect
with other LCI policyholders, come to one
of our many events, offered each month
throughout the state.
Learn more at lciassociation.com/programs
ON THE ISSUES
Issues:
On the
OSHA
The name “OSHA” can spark a lot of emotions–including fear–among business
owners. This edition of “On the Issues” seeks to demystify OSHA by giving
you insight from people in the know. First, we hear from Safety Consultant Peggy Sellers, who has had
interactions with OSHA. Next, we hear about free OSHA visits offered by the Louisiana Workforce
Commission. Finally, we hear from managers who emphasize safety within their companies.
All About OSHA
BY : PEGGY SELLERS, PS SAFET Y & RISK MANAGEMENT
As a safety consultant, the questions I hear the most from business owners are, “What are the OSHA
fines?” and “When can OSHA visit us?” OSHA has ramped up enforcement in recent years with increased
inspections and increased fines. There are several reasons why OSHA may visit your company, so let’s first
take a look at what they may be.
TYPES OF OSHA INSPECTIONS
:: Imminent Danger:
If an OSHA Compliance Officer sees a
situation that could cause serious injury or
death, he/she will conduct an inspection
and ask the company to correct the
violation immediately. If the company fails
to comply, the Act allows for OSHA to seek
an injunction to have work stopped until
the violation is corrected.
:: Complaints: This can be generated from
a current or former employee, a citizen
who sees an unsafe condition, or even a
competitor. In this case, he/she reports
the potential violation to OSHA, and
OSHA visits your business to investigate
the complaint.
5
:: Random/Programmed: these inspections
are usually initiated due to incident rates,
the industry’s risk, or a specific risk OSHA
may be focused on.
:: Follow-Up: If a citation has been previously
issued, a follow-up inspection may occur to
see if the violation has been corrected.
OSHA VIOLATIONS
OSHA can levy fines for violations found
during any of the inspection types above. The
types and amount of penalties are:
:: Other Than Serious: A violation that
probably would not cause serious injury
or death. An example of this could be not
posting requirements or not maintaining
OSHA Logs. This could result in a fine of
up to $7,000 for each violation.
:: Serious: Any violation that could result
in serious injury or death. This could
be anything from PPE, Electrical, Fall
Protection, etc. This could result in a fine
of up to $7,000
:: Willful: A violation that the employer
knowingly commits with plain indifference
to the law. This could result in fines up to
$70,000. If the Willful violation results in
death, an individual can be fined up to
$250,000 plus 6 months in prison, and
the company can be fined up to $500,000.
:: Repeat: Any violation that was previously
cited and has gone uncorrected. This
could result in fines up to $70,000
ON THE ISSUES
:: Failure to Abate: If a follow-up inspection
is conducted and the violation is not
corrected, a fine of up to $7,000 per day
from the date of the violation can be issued.
As high as these fines are, on November 2,
2015, President Obama signed into law that
these fines will be increased by 150%, with
80% increases to begin August 1, 2016. I
encourage all business owners to take some
classes to learn what is required by OSHA.
Remember the term “ignorance of the law is
not a defense.”
AVOIDING CITATIONS AND FINES
Ensuring the following four components
are part of your safety program can help
you avoid violations and shift civil liability
from “employer misconduct” to “employee
misconduct.” The four things to include are:
:: Create and implement a written
safety program
:: Provide training for your employees
:: Verify employee understanding
:: Enact a disciplinary program
for employee violations
If you include these four components,
violations could be dismissed due to
employee misconduct. Remember, you must
document everything.
Furthermore, many clients require that you
train your employees before you are allowed
to work for them, so having a solid safety
program with these four components can be
used as a marketing tool.
RECENT OSHA UPDATES
There have been several changes to OSHA
Standards that have recently gone into effect.
If you have not made these changes to your
current programs they should be made as soon
as possible.
:: Reporting Injuries: In the past, the law
said to report any fatality or hospitalization
of three or more employees within eight
hours. Now you must report any fatality,
any hospitalization, and any loss of vision
within eight hours.
:: HAZCOM: The new HAZCOM–Hazard
Communications–standard now includes
Global Harmonized System, which affects
labeling requirements and replacing your
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) with
Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The training
deadline of December 2015 has passed, but
an extension has been issued to June 2016
to be in full compliance. Here a few things
to review to ensure you are in compliance.
1. Perform a chemical inventory
2. Train your employees in GHS
3. Collect Safety Data Sheets
4. Update your SDS Manual
5. Train employees on new hazards
:: Confined Space in Construction: This
new Standard is close to the General
Industry Standard on Confined Space. A
confined space:
1. Is large enough for a worker to enter
2. Has limited means of entry and/or exit
3. Not designed for continuing occupancy
The Standard requires workers be trained
and that a competent person evaluate the
space before a worker is allowed to enter. If
you think you may have a confined space,
you can go to the OSHA website and search
“CFR 1926.1200” to see the final rule.
With the new Standards being enforced,
don’t forget about the most common types
of citations. I have been seeing many Fall
Protection, Ladders, Excavatio, and PPE
violations. Again, have a program, train, verify
understanding, and enforce your policies to
avoid injuries and OSHA fines.
IN CONCLUSION
Many, if not most, fines can be avoided by
properly training your employees. First and
foremost, properly training your employees on
the hazards they encounter will make them
aware of how to work safely and avoid injuries.
By the employees working safely, you will avoid
an Imminent Danger Inspection. Secondly,
by avoiding injuries, you can decrease your
insurance costs. Thirdly, by having a safe and
healthy work site and lowering your OSHA
Recordable Rate, you probably wouldn’t be
flagged for a programmed inspection based on
your TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate).
At this point in the article, you may realize what
you need to do to protect your employees from
injuries and avoid fines: train and document.
Conduct frequent inspections of your job sites to
ensure 100% compliance from your employees.
Finally, if you oversee subcontractors, you
could be held responsible for them. Be sure
you evaluate their safety efforts to ensure
compliance and have their contract state that
they will abide by all laws, including OSHA
regulations.
Peggy Sellers, the Owner of PS Safety & Risk
Management, has more than thirty years of
experience as a safety consultant. Learn
more at pssafety.net, or call PS Safety at
(225) 246-8500.
6
ON THE ISSUES
The Louisiana On-Site
Consultation Program:
Providing OSHA Consulting
to Louisiana Businesses
BY: THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION
Through the Louisiana On-site Consultation Program, the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) offers
OSHA consulting services to Louisiana businesses at no cost. Through these services, a safety consultant
from LWC will visit Louisiana businesses to assess current safety practices and make recommendations to
improve these practices, all without the consequences of OSHA citations and fines. The underlying goal is to
keep the people of Louisiana safe at work.
THE PROCESS
Any Louisiana business with fewer than 250
employees that has been in business for
at least one year is eligible to participate
in the On-site Consultation Program. The
business initiates the process by contacting
the Louisiana Workforce Commission to
request a visit. With offices in Baton Rouge,
Lafayette, Shreveport, Covington, and
Hammond, the LWC can typically perform
the requested visit within two weeks. During
the visit, the LWC consultant will review
safety plans and examine the job site, just
as an OSHA inspector would, but without
any OSHA penalties.
THE BENEFITS
While an inspection performed by OSHA can
lead to citations and fines, it is important to
note that LWC’s consultants will not report
possible violations to OSHA. They also will
not issue citations or propose penalties for
OSHA violations. The On-site Consultation
Program rewards Louisiana businesses for
taking a proactive approach to safety, and
as such, all follow-ups will come in the form
of safety recommendations and assistance
with identifying and implementing safety
policies, practices, and equipment.
THE VISIT
During the OSHA consultation visit,
LWC’s consultants—who have training
comparable to OSHA inspectors—first
meet with management to go over the
inspection process and to review the
company’s written safety program. If no
safety program exists, the consultant will
discuss the importance of such a program
Workers’ Memorial Day
Every April, the Louisiana Workforce Commission participates
in Workers’ Memorial Day, which falls on April 14, 2016.
Workers’ Memorial Day is observed to honor those workers
who have died on the job, to acknowledge the grievous
suffering experienced by families and communities, and to
recommit to the fight for safe and healthful workplaces for
all workers.
7
THE FOLLOW-UP
After the LWC consultant preforms the visit
with a business, he or she provides a written
summary of findings. This includes potential
hazards observed during the visit as well
as recommendations of ways to remedy
them. As previously noted, LWC also offers
assistance with developing a safety program
and can provide group education and oneon-one trainings for employees.
FEDERAL SHARP PROGRAM
The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s
OSHA consulting program is part of the
Federal Safety and Health Achievement
Recognition Program (SHARP). The SHARP
program is administered by OSHA and
sets the standards for the State’s on-site
inspections. Upon successful completion
of all elements of the program—including
complying with the state consultant’s
recommendations—businesses are
recommended for SHARP certification.
SHARP-certified businesses may be exempt
from programmed OSHA inspections for two
years and can reapply for SHARP status at
the end of the two-year period.
SUCCESS OF LOUISIANA’S PROGRAM
During the 2015 state fiscal year, LWC’s
consultants performed a total of 595 visits
with Louisiana businesses. Of those, 104
were focused on training and education.
The consultants identified 1,162 serious
and imminent hazards which removed over
69,972 workers from serious risk.
For the third consecutive year, Louisiana
has been ranked as the second-safest in
the nation in terms of the number of injuries
and accident rates. Companies are reporting
fewer injury and illness claims, and workers’
compensation rates continue to decrease.
Injuries and illness rates in Louisiana
continue to be lower and the number of
fatalities in our state is decreasing.
CLOSING
The Louisiana On-site Consultation Program
continues to help the businesses of
Louisiana create a safer work environment
and reduce the chances of OSHA penalties
and fines. If you are interested in learning
more about the program and potentially
requesting an on-site visit, contact Project
Manager, Corey S. Gaines at 800-201-2495
or [email protected].
ON THE ISSUES
and make recommendations for developing
and implementing one. After meeting with
the management team, the LWC consultant
performs a walk-through of the work site to
perform an overall safety evaluation and
look for potential hazards. He or she will also
speak to employees and managers to learn
about business operations and at times,
to provide on-the-spot recommendations
on equipment and other safety issues. If
there is a hazard that the consultant deems
an “imminent danger,” he or she will work
with the business to find a feasible and
immediate solution.
ON THE ISSUES
Managers’ Voices
Safet y Advice f rom Safet y-Minded Managers
Owning and operating your own business gives you a lot in common with the other 3,500+ Louisiana-based
businesses with an LCI policy. Given these shared experiences, we believe that you can learn a lot from your peers.
In this Members’ Voices section, we ask you questions related to the this issue’s topic.
In this issue, we look to business owners who make safety a priority. They have all made the effort to create and
implement a safety plan, provide employees with safety training, and consult resources that help them improve
their safety programs. We hope you find their insight helpful as you think about a safety program of your own.
MARCO MACERA
COMPANY: A-MED Ambulance Service
POSITION: VP of Operations
CITY: New Orleans
RANDY MILLER
COMPANY: Career Adventures, Inc.
POSITION: Vice President
CITY: Shreveport
JUSTIN UEBINGER
COMPANY: Advanced HSE Consulting, LLC
POSITION: Owner
CITY: Lafayette​
Q. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE FIRST
STEP IN CREATING A SAFETY PLAN?
WHAT RESOURCES WOULD YOU CONSULT
FOR HELP?
Q. WHAT TYPES OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING
HAVE YOU FOUND USEFUL AND/OR
EFFECTIVE?
Q. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE
WITH OSHA AGENCIES, AND WHAT
ADVICE DO YOU OFFER FOR WORKING
WITH OSHA?
A. My first step would be to assemble a
safety committee and conduct a work site
analysis to identify any obvious issues. This
will at least give you a starting point for your
plan. I would then consult with LCI’s safety
department and ask them to review what you
have and offer recommendations. LCI safety
resources have always been a great resource
for our company and have given me some
excellent ideas. I cannot stress enough that
once the plan is developed, it must become
part of your company’s core values and
culture to truly be effective.
9
A. Since we’re in the staffing industry, our
employees work in different locations. The
key for us is to train them before they start on
the job. By training our employees up front,
we ensure that they are prepared for the job
site we send them to. We use online trainings
such as Pure Safety and those offered by
LCI, as well as hands-on orientations. We
continue to develop our methods, including
site-specific training for some clients, and
we have seen positive results.
A. I have had direct interactions with OSHA
who came to a machine shop that I was
working with. The OSHA representative
came based upon their class of business,
even though this company had never
had an amputation case. He reviewed
documents during an opening conference.
We then took a tour of the facilities, and he
privately interviewed one of the employees.
Then came the closing conference. Overall,
I would cooperate and be polite. OSHA
representatives are people too, so treat
them with respect and they will be kinder
and more understanding.
LCI
NOW OFFERS
ONLINE SAFETY
CLASSES
LCI is now offering online safety classes for all industries. Taking classes is easy:
contact Loss Control Coordinator Amanda Villemarette for a login and gather
your employees to participate in individual or group training.
For more information,contact Amanda Villemarette at 985-612-1587 or [email protected].
lcia’s
programs
While your LCI policy protects your business, LCIA
wants to give you the tools to grow your business.
LCIA’s Programs are designed specifically for our
Louisiana businesses. Each program has its unique
business development benefits.
A discussion focused on
business in your community.
No matter your industry,
you’re in business.
We’re joined by a guest each
week for a discussion about
business news and resources.
Locally Vested is a moderated live
forum that LCIA hosts in different
cities to discuss the unique issues
affecting Louisiana’s communities.
Join us for a Locally Vested near
you to hear what’s happening in
your community.
Through Industry Insights, LCIA
brings you workshops, webinars,
networking events, and resources
focused on your industry. For a
list of industries LCIA serves, visit
lciassociation.com/industries.
Tune In is LCIA’s weekly webinar
series that brings you a brief report
of the latest business news and
events around Louisiana. Log in from
your computer, tablet, or phone to
get all your business and industry
news in a 30-minute broadcast.
For more information about
LCIA’s programs, visit:
lciassociation.com/programs.
985-612-6733
[email protected]
LCIA’s semiannual member
appreciation event.
Special offers on business
events, services, and products.
You work hard all year, so let
LCIA treat you and your family
to a day of fun at Louisiana’s top
family venues. LCIA invites all LCI
policyholders to join us for Family
Day twice each year—once in North
Louisiana and once in South.
Opportunities are deals, discounts,
and promotions that LCIA has secured
exclusively for LCI policyholders.
Find current Opportunities in the
Member Portal at members.lciwc.com
and in LCIA’s eNewsletters.
lciassociation.com
facebook.com/lciassociation
twitter.com/lciassociation
LCIA would not exist if not for our members. You, the 3,500+ businesses insured by
LCI Workers’ Comp, are LCIA. You represent countless industries throughout Louisiana. We use this Member
Spotlight section of our magazine to showcase our members’ unique businesses. By sharing the contributions our
members make to their industries and communities, we are showing you that with LCIA, you’re In Good Company.
Sew This
Acadiana FunJumps
12
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight
Member
Owner of Sew This
“Long before I opened Sew This, when my husband would ask me
what my dream job was, I would tell him, ‘to open a fabric store.’ I
love what I do, and I love that my store is a tribute to my husband.”
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Opening
Following the 2007 death of her husband,
Rick—whose life was cut short by a drunk
driver—Mona decided to follow her lifelong
dream of opening a sewing shop, something
she believes her husband would have wanted.
She opened Sew This in November 2008
in a Highway 59 shopping center in Abita
Springs. A bookkeeper by trade, Mona utilized
her accounting experience to team up with
her business partner, who had an exclusive
agreement to sell Bernina sewing machines,
what Mona has labeled the “Cadillac of sewing
machines.”
Rapid Growth
Following a successful first year, Sew This took
over the neighbouring storefront, expanding
both product selection and classroom space.
Sew This expanded incrementally during the
next several years and now occupies the entire
side of the shopping center with a large sales
area and two large classrooms. “It’s like in
that baseball movie,” Mona explained. “‘If
you build it, they will come.’ The same goes
for sewing shops. Our customers found us,
and we are happy they have. They have made
our expansion both possible and necessary.”
Mona bought out her original business partner,
but she still credits the partner for the early
success and growth. To this day, Sew This
exclusively sells Bernina machines.
A Sewing Community
Mona is quick to dismiss the myth that sewing
and quilting are a dying art reserved for older
women. She explained that while she has
plenty of customers who fit this description,
she works with both men and women, many
of whom are middle-aged. She also holds a
summer sewing camp to engage children with
her craft. Mona, who began sewing at age six
with her mother, described a special bond that
sewing forges: “I see the work my customers
put into their projects. It means so much to
them to hand-make something for someone
they love. There is definitely a personal
connection.” Because Mona’s staff is so
involved in the process—from the selection
of fabric to the guidance during classes—
her customers feel a connection to the store,
which contributes to the Sew This community.
A tribute to Richard M. Jones
Because Mona Jones opened her dream store
after her husband’s death, the whole store
stands as a tribute to him. Mona explained
that she loves going to work every day and
helping her customers discover their own
tastes in fabric and patterns and helping them
through the process of creating something
for a loved one. Mona’s connection with her
customers is especially fitting since she has
built her business doing what she loves in
honor of the one she loved.
To learn more about Sew This, visit sewthis.net.
If you want to view the selection of fabrics and
machines, feel free to visit Mona and her staff
at 70117 Highway 59, Suite O in Abita Springs.
14
Sew This
About Sew This
For sewing beginners and experts on the north
shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Sew This is the goto place. A self-proclaimed “creative sewing
center,” Sew This sells sewing machines
and fabrics and offers classes in sewing,
embroidery, and quilting. Since opening the
store in 2008, owner Mona Jones has grown
Sew This into a popular sewing hub and a
successful business, sharing her warmth and
expertise with her customers.
Meet Jacob Williamson
Owner of Acadiana FunJumps
“We are in a service-oriented business. This not only means
serving our customers but also our franchisees. I emphasize
slow, organic growth, so my franchisees always know that
they are taken care of.”
Castles, Slides, and DJ the Dragon
Acadiana FunJumps owns more than 200
inflatable units, which include bounce
houses, water slides, ball pits, and obstacle
courses. Jacob and his team stay busy on
weekends throughout the year, but they
are busiest during the spring and summer
months. In April and May, with graduation
parties, church picnics, and other spring
festivities in full swing, Acadiana FunJumps
rents 150 units per weekend.
While each inflatable is custom ordered,
Jacob decided he wanted to create a
special inflatable, unique to FunJumps.
He collaborated to design a bounce house
shaped like the company’s mascot, DJ the
Dragon, with the name DJ representing the
father and son duo “Doug & Jacob”. He even
traveled to China to oversee the production.
There are now five DJ the Dragons, one of
which stands guard of FunJumps’ castlethemed office on Johnston Street.
FunJumps ®
Due to the Williamson family’s success, the
word “fun jump” has become the generic
term for an inflatable bounce house in the
Lafayette region. Acadiana FunJumps was
the first inflatable rental company in the
region, and as Jacob explained, they have
a registered trademark on the FunJumps
name. Jacob described people’s surprise
about the trademark. “They ask me, ‘how
can you have a trademark on the word
FunJumps?’ I have to explain that it was
the name of our company before it was the
commonly used name. I think that’s really a
testament to our success.”
Business Model
While Acadiana FunJumps was the original
business founded by Doug Williamson
in 1985, there are now six FunJumps
franchises in Louisiana. Jacob Williamson
established the corporate entity FunJumps
USA, the umbrella company under which
all of the franchises fall. Jacob still owns
Acadiana FunJumps as a franchise, and he
explained that he has a good relationship
with his other franchisees. “I have the
inventory and the facilities well beyond
what any franchise could have, but we share
inventory. Instead of a franchise offering
their customers just one or two options,
customers can tap into our entire inventory.
We store everything in our warehouse,
and the franchisees even use our facility
to clean them when they’re done.” Jacob
also explained that FunJumps utilizes an
inventory management software that was
designed specifically for the inflatables
rental industry.
“Inside Out” Growth
With six franchises, one can naturally
expect FunJumps to continue to expand.
Jacob cautioned against forcing growth
at a faster pace than is “organic.” He
remains committed to maintaining good
relationships with the franchise owners.
Jacob wants to continue to grow, but he
also wants to do so at a rate that allows the
franchises to continue to share inventory
and resources. With what he called “inside
out growth,” he sees the service area
radius around FunJumps’ Lafayette home
slowly expanding into the future.
To learn more about Acadiana FunJumps,
visit funjumps.com.
16
L o u i s i a n a Fu n Ju m p s
About Acadiana FunJumps
True to their slogan of “We rent fun,”
Acadiana FunJumps rents inflatable jump
castles and slides, as well as popcorn and
cotton candy machines. Acadiana FunJumps
was founded by Doug Williamson in 1985,
and his son Jacob Williamson now owns and
operates the business.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
t
n
i fla aeblpeires
m
Corner
LCI Workers’ Comp
Workers’ Comp Education
A service offered by our Loss Control
department, LCI hosts workers’ comp
classes that educate and inform LCI
policyholders about their workers’
comp policy.
Attendees learn about the various functions
of workers’ comp and how to get the most
from their LCI policy. Attendees also have
the opportunity to meet representatives
from each of LCI’s departments. While all
policyholders are invited to attend, those
new to LCI–including new ventures–
have found these events particularly
useful in the past.
workers’ comp orientation
W
no instructions necessary.
let us show you how to use it!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
Workers’ Comp Orientation
Workers’ Comp Orientation is offered in
both English and Spanish, and lunch or
dinner is always served.
$
Friday, April 22 at 6:00 PM
The Chimes Restaurant
Covington, LA
*Spanish presentation
Workers’ Comp Orientation
Thursday, May 12 at 5:30 PM
Catfish Charlie’s
Monroe, LA
*English presentation
No
Free Online Bill Pay
LCI’s Finance department would like to remind you that there is no fee to pay your bill online in the LCI/LCIA Member Portal. In
addition to paying your bill, you can access policy documents and view additional benefits such as online safety classes.
Visit members.lciwc.com to get started. Call 985-612-1230 with any questions.
17
Downtown New Orleans Office
LCI has opened a second office, which
houses our Member Services functions
including LCIA. The new office is located
in downtown New Orleans’ Canal Place
building. Seen here are representatives
from LCI’s Underwriting and Marketing
departments celebrating the opening of the
new office.
Claims Department Putts for a Good Cause
On Friday, February 26th, LCI’s Claims
Department joined the New Orleans Claims
Association at its annual Putt Putt Palooza
at City Park in New Orleans. All funds
raised went to the Melanie Lege’ Memorial
Scholarship fund.
Seen here from left to right: Ashton Oubre,
Amanda Villemarette, Vinnie Carbo (from
Core Care Case Managers), Andrea Fisher,
and Brandi Seeger.
18
LCI WORKERS’ COMP CORNER
LCI Employee Spotlight: Billy Porche
Position: Loss Control Specialist
Hometown: Woodworth, LA
Q. Where did you grow up?
What was the best thing about
growing up there?
A. I grew up in a little town called Woodworth.
It is located about 9 miles south of
Alexandria on Hwy. 165. It was small, so
everybody knew each other. There was
plenty of room to run around, especially
near Indian Creek, a lake that was close
enough to ride my bike to. There were
several beaches there and places to fish.
Q. A Loss Control visit sounds intimidating.
Why does LCI make these visits?
A. A Loss Control visit is intended to be
easy for any LCI policyholder. As a Loss
Control Specialist, I am there to recognize
any hazard that could possibly harm an
employee. Eliminating these hazards can
help your bottom line.
Q. What other Loss Control services do
you go discuss at the visit?
A. We have several forms available to you
that can help you deny claims, and in
turn, save money. Among the forms are a
written drug & alcohol policy and a post
hire medical questionnaire (PHMQ). I
also discuss the importance of having a
written safety policy, conducting regular
safety inspections and performing
scheduled safety meetings.
Q. What does a typical Loss Control visit
look like?
A. It is always best that a company owner
or manager be present for a Loss
Control visit. I begin by asking questions
to confirm that LCI has the correct
information about your business. Some of
the questions involve the nature of your
business, the number of employees, and
any safety issues stemming from past
claims. I then perform a walk-through of
the business or job site. As I mentioned, I
look for potential hazards.
Q. What types of businesses do you
typically visit?
A. I mainly cover central and north Louisiana.
I visit logging sites, machine shops,
fabrication shops, trucking companies,
commercial and residential contractors,
and everything in between.
Q. What is the Loss Control Department’s
greatest strength?
A. The department’s greatest strength is
that we care about the safety of your
employees. We want to help your workers
go home every evening to their families in
the same condition they left that morning.
My daughter, Emily, is 18 and attends
LSU at Alexandria, working to become a
pediatric speech pathologist. My son,
Colin, is my buddy. He is 12, and we like
to hunt, fish, and be outside together.
Q. What does your ideal Saturday
look like?
A. Spent with family. Early in the year, we
enjoy sitting in front of a fire watching
movies and eating gumbo or chili. When
the weather warms up, I take my son
fishing. In late fall and early winter, my
Saturdays are spent in a deer stand with
my son.
Q. What is your greatest
accomplishment?
A. My greatest accomplishment is listening
to what I learned in church and from my
parents and grandparents. Applying these
lessons to my life has allowed me to have
a supportive family and a life that I feel
very blessed to have.
I live by this principle: “Hold your
loved ones close and tell them you love
them every day because no person is
guaranteed tomorrow.”
Q. Tell us about your family.
A. My wife, Amy, and I have two great kids.
Loss Control ’s Cost-Saving Tips
19
Implement a written Drug and Alcohol Policy.
In non-emergency sitatuions, take injured workers
to urgent care clinic instead of the emergency room.
Utilize the Post-Hire Medical Questionnaire
for new hires.
Report all work-related accidents as soon as you
know of them.
These tips can help you save money.
Contact Amanda Villemarette at
[email protected] if you have any
questions about any of them.
W o r k e r s ’ C o m p O r i e n tat i o n
N o i n s t r u c t i o n s n e c e s s a r y.
let us show you how to use it!
A quick presentation given by the friendly staff at LCI Workers’ Comp to provide small and mid-sized Louisiana
companies with the basics needed to benefit from a policy with LCI WORKERS’ COMP.
Claims
Auditing
What goes into
the life of a claim?
Every policy is audited at the end
of each policy year.
Follow a simple process to protect your
company from avoidable claims costs.
Use these tools to avoid being overwhelmed
at the end of the policy year.
Loss Control
LCIA
protect your employees,
protect your business.
Do you know the benefits of
being a valued LCI policyholder?
Easy steps to create and maintain
a safe work environment.
You are eligible to attend workshops,
webinars, and events at little or no cost.
For more information on when the next Workers’ Comp Orientation will take place in your area, ask your agent or contact
Amanda Villemarette at (985)612-1587 or [email protected].
FREE ONLINE BILL PAY
IN THE LCI/LCIA MEMBER PORTAL
THE LCI/LCIA MEMBER PORTAL, OUR SECURE WEBSITE, IS THE MOST CONVENIENT
WAY TO PAY YOUR WORKERS' COMP BILL. IT'S FAST, EASY, AND FREE.
VISIT MEMBERS.LCIWC.COM TO GET STARTED.
1123 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, LA 70471 | p: (985) 612-1230 | f: (985) 612-1240
UPDATES
FROM LCI’s PARTNER
A PROJECT OF
THE URBAN CONSERVANCY
StayLocal is looking forward to working with New Orleans-area businesses
this spring and summer. Here's what we have going on:
Source NOLA
SourceNOLA is StayLocal's summer-long B2B campaign that encourages local
businesses to source products and services from Louisiana based businesses.
MEMBER2MEMBER DISCOUNTS:
Sign up and take advantage of members-only deals!
OFFICE HOURS:
Sign up for complimentary one on one sessions with industry experts in Marketing, P.R., Tech,
Legal, H.R., Accounting & More!
Thursday, May 19th | Friday, May 27th | Wednesday, June 1st | Tuesday, June 7th
NOLA KNOW-HOW
B2B Tabling and Networking accompanied by mini Ted-style talks from five local small
business leaders.
June 16th
Social Media Summer Camp
Breakfast & Learns:
8:30-10am at 1309 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans
Beginner: July 12
Advanced: July 13
Beginner: July 19
Advanced: July 20
Beginner: July 26
Advanced :July 27
StayLocal is Greater New Orleans’ Independent Business Alliance
1307 OC Haley Blvd, Suite 309 New Orleans, LA 70113 | www.staylocal.org | [email protected] | 504.252.1259
Visit www.StayLocal.org for updates!
the member services arm
of lci workers’ comp
365 Canal Street, Suite 2650
New Orleans, LA 70130
Throughout this issue of In Good Company, you will find the answers to the following
questions. Email the correct answers to all 4 questions to [email protected]
by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 13, 2016, and if you’re one of the first 10 respondents, we’ll
send you a $25 gas gift card.
Be sure to include your name, company name, mailing address, and phone number
with your answers.
1. Out of how many offices do LWC’s OSHA Constultants operate?
2. What brand of sewing machines does Sew This sell?
3. What do the “D” and “J” stand for in DJ the Dragon?
4. Name the time and location of one of LCI’s upcoming Workers’ Comp Orientation Express classes.