Beginning June 28, 2011, all cribs manufactured and sold (including resale) must comply with new and improved federal safety standards. The new rules, which apply to full-size and non-full-size cribs, prohibit the manufacture or sale of traditional drop-side rail cribs, strengthen crib slats and mattress supports, improve the quality of hardware and require more rigorous testing.

Is this new regulation simply a ban on all drop-side rail cribs?

No, these are sweeping new safety rules that will bring a safer generation of cribs to the marketplace in 2011. CPSC's new crib standards address many factors related to crib safety in addition to the drop-side rail. A crib's mattress support, slats, and hardware are now required to be more durable and manufacturers will have to test to the new more stringent requirements to prove compliance.

Are all drop-side rail cribs "recalled" because of the new regulation?

There has not been a specific "recall" of all drop-side cribs due to the new regulation. Instead, some manufacturers recently have recalled their cribs in cooperation with the CPSC because a specific defect or risk of harm has been discovered relating to a particular crib. Although these recalls are separate from CPSC's new crib standards, traditional drop-side cribs will not meet the new crib standards that became effective on June 28, 2011, and cribs with traditional drop-sides cannot be sold after that date.

Is it okay for me to resell, donate or give away a crib that does not meet the new crib standards?

Consumers, thrift stores, child care facilities, family child care homes and places of public accommodation should not resell, donate or give away a crib that does not meet the new crib standards, such as trying to resell the product through an online auction site or donating to a local thrift store. CPSC recommends disassembling the crib before discarding it.

Is the answer different if a piece ("immobilizer") has been added to my drop-side crib to prevent the side from moving up and down?

Consumers, thrift stores, child care facilities, family child care homes, and places of public accommodation should not resell, donate or give away a drop-side crib that has an added immobilizer because it still will not meet the new crib standards.

Are churches/church nurseries subject to the new crib standards?

The CPSIA does not provide any exclusion for churches. If a church operates a child care facility, the cribs that it provides must comply with CPSC's crib standards.

¹Reproduced from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC JAN 2019 11-329
171-0973 (01/14)

Findings from The Safe School Initiative, an in-depth study conducted by the US Department of Education and the US Secret Service, support the need to develop a threat assessment process to identify, assess, and manage threatening situations in schools. The study concluded that most school attackers did not threaten their targets directly, but did engage in pre-attack behaviors that would have indicated an inclination toward or the potential for targeted violence had they been identified. Findings about the pre-attack behaviors of perpetrators of targeted violence include the ten issues below, which are excerpts from Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates, a report by the United States Secret Service and the United States Department of Education 2004.

1. Incidents of targeted violence at school are rarely sudden, impulsive acts.
   Explanation: Students who engaged in school-based attacks typically did not "just snap" and engage in impulsive or random acts of targeted school violence. Instead, the attacks examined under the Safe School Initiative appeared to be the end result of a comprehensible process of thinking and behavior — behavior that typically begins with an idea, progresses to the development of a plan, moves on to securing the means to carry out the plan, and culminates in an attack.
2. Prior to most incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack.
   Explanation: In most cases, other young persons — friends, schoolmates, and/or siblings — knew about the attacker’s idea or plan for a possible attack on the school before that attack occurred. However, this information rarely made its way to an adult.
3. Most attackers did not threaten their targets directly, prior to advancing the attack.
   Explanation: The Safe School Initiative found that most attackers in fact did not threaten their target directly and some made no threat at all. Instead, other behaviors and communications that may prompt concern, such as hearing that a young person is talking about bringing a gun to school, are indicators of a possible threat and therefore should prompt the initiation of efforts to gather information.
4. There is no accurate or useful profile of students who engage in targeted school violence.
   Explanation: The demographic, personality, school history, and social characteristics of the attackers varied substantially. Moreover, knowing that an individual shares characteristics, behaviors, features, or traits with prior school shooters does not help in determining whether a particular student is thinking about or planning for a violent act.
5. Most attackers engaged in some behavior, prior to the incident, that caused others concern or indicated a need for help.
   Explanation: Several key findings point to the fact that young people send signals — both direct and indirect — to others regarding their problems. The boys and young men who engaged in the targeted school violence examined by the Safe School Initiative were not “invisible” students. In fact, nearly all of these students engaged in behaviors that caused concern to at least one person, usually an adult, and most concerned at least three people.
6. Most attackers had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Many had considered or attempted suicide.
   Explanation: Many students, not just those who engaged in school-based attacks, experience or perceive major losses in their lives. Most students who face a significant loss, or have difficulty coping with such a loss, are not going to be at risk for a school-based attack. However, information that indicates a student is facing or having trouble dealing with a significantly difficult situation may indicate a need to refer the student to appropriate services and resources.
7. Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted, or injured by others prior to the attack.
   Explanation: Bullying was not a factor in every case, and clearly not every child who is bullied in school will pose a risk for targeted violence in school. Nevertheless, in a number of the incidents of targeted school violence studied, attackers described being bullied in terms that suggested that these experiences approached torment. These attackers told of behaviors that, if they occurred in the workplace, likely would meet legal definitions of harassment and/or assault.
8. Most attackers had access to and had used weapons prior to the attack.
   Explanation: Almost two-thirds of attackers used a handgun in their attack. Almost half used a rifle. Most attackers acquired weapons from their home or the home of a relative. Approximately two-thirds of attackers had a history of using guns prior to the attack.
9. In many cases, other students were involved in the attack in some capacity.
   Explanation: The Safe School Initiative found that in over half of the incidents, others assisted in the planning or execution of the attack by actively encouraging the attacker to shoot others at school, or even helping to select targets and train the shooter in how to use a weapon
10. Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most attacks were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention and most were brief in duration.
    Explanation: Law enforcement authorities responded quickly to almost all calls from schools about attacks. However, most attacks were resolved within minutes, without law enforcement intervention.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC FEB 2019-103
171-1189 (12/18)

Hanover Insurance would like to advise its moving and storage policyholders about important information concerning the transportation and handling of Tempur-Pedic^® mattresses.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses are made with a “visco-elastic” top layer that requires them to be stored and handled carefully. When the mattresses lie flat the foam tends to disperse evenly but when placed on their sides the viscous foam settles toward the bottom edge.

We’ve learned about Tempur-Pedic mattresses that were incorrectly placed in storage on their sides. The mattresses had to be replaced because the viscous foam settled along the edge and could not be restored.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses should be packed, shipped and stored flat. The time that the mattresses are set on their sides should be kept to an absolute minimum.

Do not lean the mattresses during delivery and try to assemble the bed as soon as possible in the customer’s home.

It is also recommended that mattress cartons be used. They prevent the mattresses from being soiled and also provide support and protection.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses should be listed as high value inventory with a statement that they must be shipped flat.

Consider Hanover’s Moving and Storage Advantage insurance to provide protection against loss or damage. Your Hanover Insurance agent can help you with this insurance need.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC JAN 2019 14-91
171-1072 (2/14)

A fire in your spray booth can shut down the painting operation and injure employees. It can also damage equipment, the building and cause your business to shut down for repairs. Valuable production time can be lost and impact the bottom line. Following are some guidelines and some tips to keep your painting operation up and painting:

Know the basics

The key to success is clear direction and support from top management. Listed below are basic best practices that should be implemented for spray painting operations:

• Keep radios, fans and other electrical equipment out of the spray booth and the area immediately adjacent to the booth, unless specifically listed for use in the environment.
• Replace filter for exhaust systems regularly; don’t allow them to collect so much residue as to negatively impact the functionality of the exhaust system.
• Replace missing filters; spray operations only be conducted when there is a full bank of filters for the exhaust system.
• Operate ventilation system while spraying.
• Allow only the minimum quantity of flammable and combustible liquids required for operations.
• Protect sprinkler heads from overspray by covering with a thin cellophane or paper bag. It should be replaced frequently.
• Use approved metal waste containers for rags and waste impregnated with finishing material. The contents of these containers should be removed from the building at the end of each work shift or at least daily.
• Store flammable liquids in listed or approved safety cans.

Maintain the booth

Maintenance of equipment is a key activity that helps reduce the potential of a fire event and the severity of a fire. Follow these spray booth maintenance tips:

• Keep booth surfaces free from a build-up of overspray deposits and residues; simplify cleaning by using special or “strippable” coatings on interior booth walls.
• Scrapers and/or other tools used for cleaning should be made of non-sparking materials.
• Check your exhaust ductwork and fan blades regularly and remove any build-up. If frequent cleaning is needed, it may be an indication of filter problems.
• Wet down scrapings and sweepings and remove from the building. They should never be left in piles on the floor or in uncovered containers.

Eliminate and control ignition sources

A fire needs an ignition source; listed below are controls needed for ignition sources:

• Allow only properly rated electrical equipment in the spray booth and areas adjacent to spray booth.
• Eliminate static charge by grounding metal parts of spray booths, agitators, exhaust ducts and pipe systems that distribute flammable/combustible liquids.
• Prohibit smoking within 20 ft. of a spray area and post “No Smoking” signs.
• Maintain at least a 35 ft. clearance between spray operations and spark-producing equipment such as cutting and welding.

Train your employees

Trained employees help ensure operations are conducted safely. At a minimum, employees should be trained in these topics:

• How to safely handle, store and use flammable and combustible liquids.
• Understand how to implement emergency, operational and maintenance procedures.
• To be aware of potential health hazards, nature of the hazard, and use of protective and emergency equipment.

Hanover Risk Solutions

Contact your Hanover Risk Solutions Consultant to meet with you to review your specific operation. He or she can provide guidance on controls that can be implemented to reduce your exposure to a loss in spray painting operation.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC OCT 2018-342
171-1750 (1/16)

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, "Sport-related concussions continue to be a serious public health concern, as approximately 1.6 to 3 million concussions occur annually in the United States. Recent studies have shown increases in the prevalence and incidence of concussion in both high school and college athletes."

With concussions becoming increasingly commonplace, educational institutions should have a sports concussion management plan in place to guide education on concussions and outline the institution's policies. In this article, Tom O'Neill, Director of Educational Risk Solutions, shares that by building a plan focused on safe practices, liability protections for the institution should naturally follow.

Protecting your school against liability or getting sued shouldn't be the main goal in developing and implementing a sports concussion management plan.

Is your plan about safety or liability?

Let's start with a baseline assumption that we all share the goal of providing the safest possible environment in which our students and athletes can participate. What I hope to impress upon you is that liability protections should naturally follow if you:

• Focus on safe practices;
• Have a sound concussion management policy in place;
• Assemble the right team and educate them;
• Empower them to make the best decisions; and
• Remain vigilant and knowledgeable regarding emerging trends.

When someone reads your sports concussion management plan, is the focal point the inclusion of verbiage to address local law or does it focus on why it is critical that it be implemented? Is it written in a way that it is easily understandable to all or is it filled with legalese to ensure that it passes the muster of your legal counsel, insurance carrier, licensing board and governing body? Is it a resource to guide education or is it intended to act as the training?

As an insurance representative to educational institutions across the nation, I am often asked to review these policies to see if they are "acceptable," and I always answer the same way: "It depends." Then I start asking some questions of my own: "Is it acceptable to your student athletes and their parents? Have you presented it to your medical staff, faculty, coaches and volunteers? What did they think of it? Have you had it reviewed by objective physicians, concussion management specialists, and athletes who suffer from the long-term effects of concussions? Do they think it's acceptable? Have you educated all involved in implementation of the plan? Are those people implementing the action steps? If so, have they been effective? If not, what are you doing about it?" It is not until after we have addressed all of these questions that I ask my last question: "Has it been reviewed by your legal counsel?"

What is a concussion?

According to the CDC, a concussion is "a type of traumatic brain injury, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works." Think about that sentence. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. Concussion has become such a frequent part of our day-to-day conversations and a regularly accepted part of playing sports that we tend to forget or downplay that it is an injury to the brain. Concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can cause permanent damage in our athletes'/students'/children's thinking, senses, language and emotions. Does everyone who reads and is responsible for your plan truly understand the dire consequences involved and their responsibilities in preventing these tragedies? The CDC provides three critical action steps that all concussion management plans should include to minimize risks: education, removal, and return.

1. Educate: Inform and educate everyone responsible for concussion prevention and response, i.e., coaches, athletes, and their parents and guardians, faculty, staff and volunteers.
2. Remove athlete from play: An athlete who is believed to have a concussion is to be removed from play right away.
3. Obtain permission to return to play: An athlete can only return to play or practice after at least 24 hours and with permission from a health care professional.

While catchphrases like "When in doubt sit them out" and "Rest is best" are good reminders of steps two and three, your concussion management plan will not be successful without placing the emphasis on the first step, education. Luckily for you, schools are full of experts in education.

Focus on what you do best — educate

What did the last policy you read say? What about the last waiver? Can you repeat back the last symptom list handout you received? No one knows better about diverse learning styles and the need for multi-model teaching methods than professionally trained educators. So why do so many educational institutions rely on posters, flyers and fact sheets as the sole form of education when it comes to parents, athletes, coaches and faculty? These handouts may cover the legal liability factor but they don't educate in a way that gets the critical information across to all. With the wealth of teaching materials at our disposal today, a simple web search will produce numerous free online courses, textbooks, national reports and handouts that can be used to get the critical information across to the different audiences using various learning styles.

Even with all of these resources at your disposal to present the facts on concussions, few would deny that true internalization comes from seeing the facts in a personal way. So it is important that your educational methods keep in mind the many different audiences, their priorities and their motivation for actively participating in the concussion management plan. No one document, training module, or person can effectively meet all of these needs. Your message must come from a team, a team whose members possess empathy, courage, authority and creativity in addition to knowledge.

To operate effectively, your concussion management team must be:

• Empathetic to the pressures felt by the coaching staff that relies on wins to maintain their livelihood, to the desperation of parents who see a sports scholarship as their child's only chance of going to college, and to the student athlete fearful of disappointing parents, coaches and teammates;
• Courageous enough to take the unpopular stance with the legendary coach, to support the first year trainer making the tough decision, and to address the aggressive board member parent;
• Empowered to overrule superiors when it comes to safety, to impose penalties on students and adults who ignore safety standards, and to make adjustments to the plan as needed to maintain safety;
• Creative in order to convince an invincible teenage athlete that they are not truly invincible, to teach the teacher that doesn't attend sporting events that they too play a critical role in concussion management, to impress upon a coach or parent that "a little dinged up" often means traumatic brain injury, to influence your school leaders that, through focusing on the education of safety, they take care of liability.

The best written policy in the world is useless if it sits on the shelf and is not meaningful to those who are charged with its implementation. The execution and effectiveness of your concussion management plan and procedure should be the measure of an "acceptable" plan, not that it is written well, distributed to all, and covers the school legally and financially. Leave that up to the lawyers and insurance experts.

Helpful resources:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• The National Federation of State High Schools Associations
• National Athletic Trainers Association
• The Sports Concussion Institute

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC DEC 2018 2014-212
171-1097 (6/14)

Solar panels are a popular option for property owners to earn credits toward green building certification and to reduce energy costs. This technology is gaining popularity and there are some issues that are important to consider when installing a photovoltaic system.

Are the solar panels tested to meet the UL 1703 standard for flat plate photovoltaic modules and panels? This standard has specific fire safety and electrical safety provisions as well as hail resistance testing.

The inverter used to convert the DC electricity form the solar panels to AC electricity for use in the building or sale to the utility should be tested in accordance with UL 1741. This standard requires specific testing and labeling of electrical data that are used in selecting wiring, over current devices and other system components. The UL listing also means that electrical safety and fire safety features of the device have been tested. All components of the solar system should have appropriate testing to conform to UL standards for electrical equipment and be used in conformance to those standards. Be aware that some installers use untested devices for combining arrays and making field connections before the inverter.

The installation of a solar panel system must be consistent with the fire rating on the existing roof covering. There are different fire ratings for the same solar panel depending on the angle of the installation. Verify that your system when installed at the desired angle meets the fire rating of the existing roof. The panels introduce a load onto the building surface to which they are attached. The building structure must be able to bear the load. This includes the additional wind load that the panels may create. Drawings prepared and approved by a structural engineer should be part of the design process.

Systems that have moving mounts to track the sun’s travel add additional expense and control equipment to the project. This is also an additional load on the building structure.

Systems that use batteries as back-up power during night or cloudy periods may have a hydrogen gas exposure from the battery charging process. Be sure that proper ventilation of the battery charging area is part of the system design.

The new panel arrays may be the high point on the structure. Has lightning been considered? Is there a direct to ground path available to dissipate lightning energy? The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require this, but prudent design should include this feature.

How are the panels to be maintained and cleaned? If they need to be walked on for future service and maintenance, be sure the panel is designed for this application. The electrical system for the photovoltaic system should be installed in accordance with NEC chapter 690 that contains specific requirements for this equipment.

The various panels and disconnects for the solar system may be energized whenever the sun is shining. There are specific requirements for safety warnings on these panels and disconnects. Be sure your installation plan includes these warnings.

The presence of a photovoltaic system adds complexity and equipment to your electrical distribution system. Consider the need for mechanical breakdown insurance to protect these assets. Your Hanover agent can help you with this insurance need.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC JAN 2019 10-245-H
171-0920 (01/14)

Heavy snow loads on roofs can lead to building damage and collapse. Schools, churches, commercial and residential buildings, carports and awnings can be affected.

As winter storms loom, property owners and residents should be aware of the weight loads these storms may be creating, especially on flat roofs.

Take the following precautions to protect life and property:

• Watch for falling snow and ice from roofs.
• Don’t put untrained individuals on roofs to clear snow. Falls from roofs and possible exposure to electrical wires while on the roof are serious hazards.
• Inspect roofs for leaks or structural deficiencies that may develop during the storm.
• Clear snow and ice away from exhaust vents that go through exterior walls.
• Clear decks of snow to reduce stress on them.
• Make certain gutters, drains and downspouts are clear of ice and debris.
• Inspect and repair the roof cover, flashing and gutters*.
• Know your roof's maximum snow load.
• Hire a structural engineer to verify the snow load threshold of the roofing system if you don’t know your roof’s snow load. This information will be important after an event when determining whether there is too much snow on the roof.

After the storm:

• Clear areas around downspouts so that water from melting snow has a path to flow away from the house or building.
• Remove snow from side walls to prevent high snow mounds from pushing them in.
• Temporarily shore up and brace dipping or sagging roofs or walls.
• Signs of possible roof failure include improper operation of doors or windows, deflection of ceiling finishes or exposed beams, roof leaks or sprinkler heads moved from their normal positions
• Owners and residents of flat roof buildings are urged to be aware of the possible snow load danger. The threat from the weight of heavy snow will remain for some time after the storm ends if cold temperatures are expected after the storm. Weather conditions won’t allow much melting to occur.

If you have questions about your building’s condition, contact a structural engineer or your local building official for an assessment of the conditions.

If you have suffered storm damage to your property, contact your Hanover agent or Hanover claims at 800-628-0250.

We encourage you to share this information with your customers or download it for use on your website or in your newsletter. Please be sure to include the following credit: “Source: The Hanover Insurance Group, Risk Solutions Dept."

Source: *IBHS

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC DEC 2018 11-25
171-1038 (1/14)

If a full glass of water were placed on the floor of your vehicle, how long could you drive in traffic without spilling it? We’re sure you’ll be quick to agree that it would take a pretty “smooth” driving performance not only to keep from spilling any of the water but to keep from toppling the glass.

The kind of driving it takes to keep from spilling a glass of water is the kind of driving that marks the true professional driver. It’s not difficult to pick him or her out from the other drivers on the road. Starts, stops, lane changes and turns are all handled in a smooth manner — in a way that cuts accident producing conflicts to a minimum.

Avoid common driving errors

It takes a lot more than just driving skill to be a smooth driver. To obtain the mark of the true professional, you must first have the correct mental attitude about driving. Don’t become irritated or impatient with other drivers. Maintain an even frame of mind every second you are behind the wheel.

The smooth driver must learn to drive ahead. Anticipate the need for a slowdown or a stop. Plan turns and a change of lanes in advance. The driver who is rear-ended after a sudden stop will likely share in the responsibility for the accident — if the sudden stop could have been avoided by “driving ahead.”

The mark of a true professional

Because of the nature of your work, you have been categorized as a “professional” driver. As a “professional,” a smooth driving performance has become a necessary attribute — it no longer can be considered only desirable. Your responsibility to yourself and your family, the other drivers around you and to your company demands it.

• Be identified as a true professional every time you drive.
• Never be guilty of sudden, unexpected maneuvers.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC NOV 2018 11-389
171-1129 (10/14)

Many businesses and organizations sell or serve alcohol, either as part of their daily operations or for special fund raising events or company parties. Intoxicated guests may injure themselves or others. In addition to the often tragic consequences of these incidents, they can result in expensive lawsuits and negative publicity for the organization.

Following are some guidelines to help ensure that alcohol is served and consumed responsibly.

Develop a written policy

As with any type of safety program or organizational initiative, the key to success is clear direction and support from top management. Organizational rules for the serving of alcohol are often known as “House Policies.” These address issues such as:

• Knowing and following applicable laws
• Training all staff, outside caterers/bartenders and volunteers
• Denying service to underage guests
• Promoting designated drivers and outside transportation services
• Monitoring consumption
• Managing intoxicated guests
• Actively marketing food and alternative beverages

Guidelines for developing a House Policy, along with sample policies and a sample form for documenting incidents resulting from over consumption, are available from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. These general guidelines are applicable to all states. As with any organizational policy, you should consult legal counsel to ensure that your specific needs and local laws are addressed. If alcohol will be sold or served by outside caterers or bartenders, your contract should require them to follow your organization’s policy or have an equivalent policy of their own.

Know the law and your legal liability

In order to limit your criminal and civil liability, it is critical to operate within the law. For links to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in each state, plus Federal laws that may be applicable, see this website.

Most states also have laws that create a cause of action for lawsuits against those selling or serving alcohol by those who were injured. Laws addressing commercial sales are commonly known as “Dram Shop Laws,” and those addressing non-commercial situations are known as “Social Host Liability Laws.”

These laws vary widely in how the injured party must prove negligence, and in how they address minors vs. adults. Mothers Against Drunk Driving offers information on these laws through its website.

Note that the absence of a law does not mean that injured parties cannot attempt to sue you — these laws just make that easier by establishing a cause of action. Injured parties can also sue you based on common law negligence. Be sure to consult legal counsel to understand how to apply these concepts to your particular situation.

Information on various other state and Federal laws, including age restrictions, pregnancy warning signs, Sunday sales, etc., can be found at the Alcohol Policy Information System website.

Train those selling or serving alcohol

Individuals who are selling or serving alcohol are implementing your organization’s policies. Therefore, it is important for them to be trained regarding those polices as well as the applicable laws. This applies to employees as well as to volunteers at fund-raisers or parties. If alcohol will be sold or served by outside caterers or bartenders, your contract should require them to follow your organization’s training requirements or have equivalent requirements of their own.

State laws vary regarding what types of organizations are covered by the law, who is required to be trained, and the content of required training. Find helpful information at the Alcohol Policy Information System website.

Even if training is not required by law in your situation, it is still an important part of ensuring the safety of your guests and reducing your liability exposure. Many training courses are available online, making training of individual employees or volunteers quick and inexpensive.

Below are some vendors that offer training for those selling or serving alcohol. You should check with your state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board first to determine if they require certain courses, or offer courses for reduced rates. When training through a vendor, ensure that their courses meet your state’s requirements.

• Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS®)—Health Communications, Inc.
• Controlling Alcohol Risks Effectively (CARE®)—American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
• ServeSafe Alcohol® —National Restaurant Association
• Techniques of Alcohol Management (TAM®)—National Hospitality Institute

Check your insurance coverages

Consult with your insurance agent to be sure that your insurance policy covers liquor liability in the manner you intended. Some insurance policies exclude liquor liability, or only cover specific locations or specific special events.

If alcohol will be sold or served by outside caterers or bartenders, you should consider requiring them to carry General Liability, Products/Completed Operations and Liquor Liability insurance with appropriate limits. You should be listed as an Additional Insured on these polices and require the contractor to provide a Certificate of Insurance confirming these requirements. A hold harmless agreement protecting you in the event of a claim caused by the contractor’s negligence may also be appropriate.

Consult with legal counsel regarding contract language, and with your insurance agent regarding insurance requirements for contractors.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC JAN 2019 12‐187
171-0873 (10/18)

Houses of worship are often located in isolated or rural areas and left unattended for extended periods of time, making it difficult to secure the facility. To help reduce potential for arson, bombing, vandalism and burglary, consider the following general strategies in implementing a security loss control program.

Reduce vulnerability

• Keep plants and shrubs trimmed to provide good visibility of building and surrounding property.
• Request assistance from law enforcement, fire personnel and area residents to help increase observation of the property.
• Have adult members of the congregation randomly check the building daily, or consider the use of a guard service.
• Install a protective lighting system that automatically turns on at sundown. Illuminate interior areas that are visible from the outside.
• Check credentials of outside maintenance personnel.
• Control access to air intakes of HVAC systems to prevent attempts to introduce contaminants into the system.
• Remove potential fire hazards from the grounds, such as trash, lawn clippings and other debris.
• Do not leave cash in the facility

Install security equipment

• Install dead-bolt locks and ensure doors and frames are solidly constructed and installed.
• Carefully control the distribution of keys to the building.
• Protect valuable stained-glass windows with burglary/vandal resistant glazing.
• Install a central station fire and burglar alarm system that provides for remote monitoring.

Handling threatening situations

• Develop a crisis plan for actions to be taken when a threat is received, such as a bomb threat.
• If suspicious persons or vehicles are observed, obtain a detailed physical description and report it to law enforcement authorities.
• If a suspicious package or letter is received, immediately call law enforcement officials. Do not handle the parcel. Be alert for letters or packages that display an excessive amount of postage, are stained or have unfamiliar or missing return addresses.
• If threatening correspondence is received, avoid handling it. Place it in a clear plastic bag and contact law enforcement authorities.
• Post emergency contact information at all telephones.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you. The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC FEB 2019 14-86
171-1043 (2/14)