Happy Holidays

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Happy Holidays

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12-1-2009 Newsletter

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RER Reports

For a limited time, Volvo Rents is offering a free Construction Spending and Population Growth report for your market. These reports are free and are delivered without obligation. Please limit reports to one county or MSA per request. Call or click to request your market’s construction spending report.
1-866-387-3687 / askrents@volvo.com
Hurry -- Offer expires December 31, 2009
This research data is provided by independent analysts at Info Tech Marketing, a market research firm based in Littleton, CO. In addition to providing historical data, the forecasts encompass the latest data on construction employment and spending, building permits, government forecasts, and private projections.

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Headline News
Deere Reports $222 Million 4Q09 Loss
November 30, 2009
Deere & Co. last week announced a worldwide net loss of $222.8 million, or $0.53 per share, for the fourth quarter ended Oct. 31, compared with net income of $345.0 million, or $0.81 per share, for the same period last year. Affecting fourth-quarter 2009 results were charges of $364.8 million pretax and $321.8 million after-tax, or $0.76 per share, because of the previously announced impairment of goodwill related to the John Deere Landscapes reporting unit and voluntary employee-separation expenses associated with the formation of the new agriculture and turf division. Without the items, earnings for the quarter would have been $99.0 million, or $0.23 per share.

Upstate New York Rental Company Liquidating
November 30, 2009
C&B Rent-All, Watertown, N.Y., is conducting a “going-out-of-business” sale and liquidating its assets, the Watertown Daily Times reported online. The business, which opened in 2002, was hurt by the slow construction business in the area and lack of customer demand.

ARA Unveils New Market Monitor Service
November 30, 2009
The American Rental Association last week announced the launch of the State of Equipment Rental Industry Outlook 2009-2014 Market Monitor service. This online subscription-based program, exclusively available to ARA members, provides subscribers with the latest economic information regarding the equipment rental industry compiled by economic forecasting firm IHS Global Insight. The information is updated quarterly.

International News
Ramirent Net Sales Drop 30 Percent in Third Quarter
November 30, 2009
Helsinki, Finland-based Ramirent, a rental company with branches in 13 countries, posted a 30.8-percent net sales decrease in the third quarter of 2009. Net sales for the period were €129.5 million (about U.S. $195 million), compared with €187.2 million for the same period in 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, net sales dropped 29 percent to €376.3 million. The decrease was 22.4 percent at constant currency.

Speedy Drops 27.9 Percent for Six Months
November 30, 2009
Revenue for Speedy Hire dropped 27.9 percent for the six months ended Sept. 30, posting £184.8 million (about U.S. $308.1 million), compared with £256.4 million for the same period a year ago. The U.K.’s largest rental company posted an adjusted loss before tax of £4.8 million (about U.S. $8 million), compared with £23.8 million profit a year ago.

Wynne Systems Names Project Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa
November 30, 2009
Wynne Systems, international provider of enterprise software for the rental industry, last week named Erwin Luijten senior project manager for the company’s Antwerp, Belgium, office. Luijten has more than a decade of experience in ERP implementation management.

Atlas Copco Appoints New Distributor in Botswana
November 30, 2009
Atlas Copco recently appointed Parts Sales Botswana as a distributor of Atlas Copco Road Construction and Construction Tools equipment in Gaborone, Botswana, where major infrastructural developments including an extensive road network upgrade, the construction of two dams, an extension of the power station, hospitals, stadia and the massive upgrade of the Sir Seretse Khama Airport are all underway.

New Holland Wins Italian Army and Fire Brigade Tenders
November 30, 2009
New Holland Construction last week announced it has won the majority of the biggest tender ever promoted by the Italian Army for construction equipment applications.

Wall Street Beat
The Stock Block
November 30, 2009
Check in on some of the latest stock prices for publicly traded rental companies and popular construction equipment and general tool manufacturers related to the rental equipment industry.

Supply Side
Generac and Fiat Announce Strategic Partnership for Diesel Engines Supply
November 30, 2009
Generac Power Systems, a manufacturer of standby and portable power generation equipment and Fiat Powertrain Technologies last week announced a strategic partnership. Beginning in 2010, FPT will supply Generac with a wide range of industrial diesel engines for use in gensets with outputs ranging from 60 to 350 kW. The FPT engines are designed to increase productivity and greatly reduce engine operating costs.

Hilti Ranks Fifth in "50 Best Companies to Sell For"
November 30, 2009
Hilti last week announced that for the fifth straight year, the corporate research team at Selling Power identified it as one of the best manufacturing companies to sell for. Hilti finished eighth in the magazine’s annual “50 Best Companies to Sell For,” a comparison and evaluation of the largest U.S. sales forces.

Makita Receives The Home Depot's 2009 Marketing Innovation Award
November 30, 2009
Makita U.S.A. last week announced it was awarded The Home Depot Marketing Innovation Award. The award was presented to Makita Industrial Power Tools at The Home Depot’s Annual Supplier Partner Meeting in Atlanta.

Bricks & Clicks
Terex Launches Expanded Web Portal for North American Construction Distributors
November 30, 2009
Terex Construction now offers its North American distributors a single website — the Terex Construction Portal — to accommodate all their distribution needs, including sales, marketing, parts, service and warranty.

Interviews
Info at their Fingertips
November 30, 2009
RER conducted a series of interviews for our October issue on software technology and has been publishing a number of them in RER Reports. The sixth installment is with Rob Ross, president of Alert Management Systems, based in Colorado Springs, Colo. Ross discusses a whole slate of new products offered by Alert, and takes a look at trends to come. Ross was interviewed by RER’s Michael Roth.

Classifieds
November 30, 2009
• Volvo Rents -- General manager position in York/Harrisburg, Pa.

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shows

ARAM Show

Save-The-Date:
ARAM Vendor Night 2009 - November 18, 2009
Holiday Inn in Marlboro, MA



ARA of CT Show

Save-The-Date:
ARA of CT Vendor Night 2009 - November 19, 2009
Elks Lodge #771 in Middletown, CT

NER, NIS & The Hartford

We have a unique partnership with the National Equipment Registry. If you are insured with us we will waive your deductible on all equipment registered with the NER.
Recently, this saved one of my insureds $2,000.00.

Click here to register your equipment today!

How to Save Money on Insurance

Raise Your Deductibles and Lower Your Premiums!

When you raise your deductibles you're volunteering to pay more every time you have to file an insurance claim. When you're paying more they're paying less, and every insurance provider in the country is going to reward that fact by offering to save you money on your insurance.

Article Featured in Commercial Dealer

Don't automatically assume you're protected. According to one national survey, nearly 60 percent of businesses are seriously underinsured. In the event of a major claim, the survey showed that the underinsured could find that the upper limit of their policy payout is 20 percent less than what they need in today's market.

Just because you have an insurance policy, doesn't mean you have the right one. The difference between the right policy and the wrong one could cost your business hundreds of thousands of dollars if your insurance coverage is not adequate. When a loss happens, you need help - what you don’t need is to learn that there is no coverage to recoup your losses. The best time to get educated is now, before that scenario occurs.

The Coverage You Need
Unlike other businesses, there is no standard policy for your industry. The rental and equipment dealer has various unique risks and coverage needs that need to be individually evaluated for the proper insurance coverage. There are several factors that you should consider when insuring your business.

• Make sure you are insured with a specialist. Don’t insure your business with someone who doesn’t know your industry. Just because your brother-in-law sells home owner policies doesn’t mean that you should let him write your insurance. You may be doing him a favor and not yourself. Seek out someone who understands and works in the industry and can provide you the maximum coverage available.

• Choose financial strength and stability. Make sure you are with an A+ rated insurance carrier from A.M. Best. You can find out how your current insurance carrier is rated at http://www.ambest.com/. This rating system shows a client what a company’s financial strength is and its ability to meet their obligations. Remember, an insurance program is only as good as the company that stands behind it. Be cognizant of the inferior choices out there that may leave your business vulnerable.

• Customized coverage. Again, it is imperative that you have an insurance policy tailored your business needs. This must include your unique coverage needs such as conversion, in transport, equipment breakdown and off premises. Do your research and make sure your policy covers these areas.

• All lines of insurance. When picking your insurance carrier, make sure that they cover all lines of insurance. This means that their policy includes but is not limited to property, general liability, auto coveragevand workers compensation. Placing all of your insurance coverage with one carrier provides you with easier claim handling and decreases your chance of having gaps in your insurance coverage from one carrier to the next.

Ultimate Service
In an industry that caters to the needs of a diverse group of rental customers, it is fundamental to provide high-quality service. Whether they are renting party goods or homeowner and contractor equipment, your customers rely on you to provide high-quality equipment in good working condition – when they need it.

With that in mind, you should demand that same level of service from your insurance provider. It is their job to ensure that your business and your equipment are covered. Replacement cost, conversion, and off premise coverage should be a standard in your policy. If you don’t have an adequate amount of coverage, your business may be seriously underinsured. In the event of a major loss, there is a very strong chance that your current policy will fall very short of what you need.

Strategic Partner
Most people hate insurance until the time comes when they need it. I believe we all need to see insurance in the light of people helping each other maintain financial security.

For example, in early civilization, if a house burnt down, the members of the community banded together and helped build a new one. If someone wasn’t willing to help, they were perceived as a bad neighbor and the community wasn’t as willing to help them out in the future. In today’s insurance world, there are plenty of “bad neighbors” out there who only want to collect premiums and are not concerned with helping you.

Once you received a quote and paid your premium, your coverage is bound and you believe that your business is adequately covered, right? Maybe! Don’t make your business vulnerable because you are not educated about the company that is insuring your business and the type of coverage they provide.

Do your research. There are A+ rated companies out there who have the knowledge and capability to protect your company for that “just in case moment.” For the sake of your business, seek out those insurance companies that have custom policies for your industry and can provide you with proper coverage, industry expertise, and financial strength and stability.

About The Author:
Matthew Davis is a regional manager for the National Insurance Specialists, which caters to equipment dealers in the rental markets. He can be reached at matt.davis@hylant.com.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Business Income

Business Income is a fairly inexpensive coverage and is an absolute must. This coverage will protect you for the actual loss of your net profit plus continuing expenses, including loss of rents that results from the necessary suspension
of your operations during the period of restoration caused by direct physical damage to property at an insured location.

Briefly, business income insurance is said to do for the business what the business would have done if there had been no physical loss or damage to property from a covered cause.

Please make sure you are covered!

SEAT BELTS

THE THREE COLLISIONS
The National Safety Council’s Injury Facts 2000, reports the following information regarding the use of safety belts:
•Reduce fatal injury to front seat occupants by 45% and reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%. For light truck occupants those figures increase to 60% and 65% respectively.
•Safety belts provide the greatest protection against ejection. In 1998 fatalities, 21% of unrestrained passengers were ejected from
the vehicle compared to 1% for those who were restrained with a safety belt.
•Lap/shoulder belts should always be used even in a vehicle equipped with air bags.

Seat belts saved an estimated 11,088 lives in 1998. To understand the value of safety belt use, it's important to understand some of the dynamics of a crash. Every motor vehicle crash is actually comprised of three collisions.

The Car's Collision
The first collision is known as the car's collision, which causes the car to buckle and bend as it hits something and comes to an abrupt stop. This occurs in approximately one-tenth of a second. The crushing of the front end absorbs some of the force of the crash and cushions the rest of the car. As a result, the passenger compartment comes to a more gradual stop than the front of the car.

The Human Collision
The second collision occurs as the car's occupants hit some part of the vehicle. At the moment of impact, unbelted occupants are still traveling at the vehicle's original speed. Just after the vehicle comes to a complete stop, these unbelted occupants will slam into the steering wheel, the windshield, or some other part of the vehicle interior. This is the human collision. Another form of human collision is the person to-person impact. Many serious injuries are caused by unbelted occupants colliding with each other. In a crash, occupants tend to move toward the point of impact, not away from it. People in the front seat are often struck by unbelted rear-seat passengers who have become high-speed projectiles.

The Internal Collision
Even after the occupant's body comes to a complete stop, the internal organs are still moving forward. Suddenly, these organs hit other organs or the skeletal system. This third collision is the internal collision and often causes serious or fatal injuries.

So, Why Safety Belts?
During a crash, properly fastened safety belts distribute the forces of rapid deceleration over larger and stronger parts of the person's body, such as the chest, hips and shoulders. The safety belt stretches slightly to slow your body down
and to increase its stopping distance. The difference between the belted person's stopping distance and the unbelted person's stopping distance is significant. It's often the difference between life and death.
Excerpts from "Sudden Impact," NHTSA, 1992.

Hylant Group is Proud to be One of the Best Places to Work in Insurance

Business Insurance's annual ranking of the best places to work in the insurance industry

Fast Facts Fax

Click Here

Literature

Click here!

Propane

Keep renters and employees safe by reminding them of the following guidelines for working with propane appliances and tanks:
Ensure that the appliance is turned off and the fuel supply valve is closed before connecting the fuel tank.
Tighten connections by hand until they come to a full stop.
Ensure that hoses are not kinked and do not come near burners or other areas that will become hot during use.
Before replacing a fuel tank, close its supply valve and turn off the appliance.
If you smell gas, hear a hissing sound, or see a white or ice substance near any connections, immediately close the fuel supply valve, turn off the appliance and remove any other ignition source.
Do not store spare fuel tanks in the vicinity of the appliance.
Compressed gas tanks should be chained securely to a wall for storage.
Tanks should be well maintained, inspected and recertified. If the tank is marked with an “E,” it should be recertified every five years. If marked with an “S,” every seven years and if not marked at all, it should be recertified every 12 years.
For use with tents, propane tanks must be installed on level ground no less than 5 ft. from the structure and secured with a post or tie so that they are not knocked over.
Clean and inspect appliances after rentals and replace hoses and couplers that are damaged or worn.
If a rental store is faced with a customer’s request or site situation you know is not safe, don’t accept it. Speak up and offer an alternative.

This safety tip is provided by ARA Insurance Services, Kansas City, Mo., to help those in the rental industry better manage their risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance Services can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.

NER Report

AUGUST 12 STOLEN EQUIPMENT ALERTS

Today's summary includes forwarded alerts from NER partners Northeast Equipment Dealers Association and Construction Industry's Crime Prevention Program of Southern California.

All alerts are posted at NER's Theft Alert Page, now arranged regionally: www.stopequipmenttheft.com/Hotlist.html


Hesperia, CA Ford Loader Theft
NER Partner CPP of Southern California (www.crimepreventionprogram.com) reports a member contractor lost a Ford 545-D Loader August 7 from a jobsite in Hesperia, CA. PIN A436622. Full alert here:
http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/cppofsc_Ford_Theft_Alert_8.11.09.pdf

Pennsylvania Dealer Burglary
NEDA (www.ne-equip.com
) reports two member dealerships were burglarized in Pennsylvania- one on August 9, one August 10. Law Enforcement intercepted one group of theives. Details on both events and detailed machine ID info here:
http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/NEDA_NER_Theft_Alert_Mowers_PA_8.11.09.pdf


Travelers Insurance Florida Excavator Theft
Travelers is offering a $4000.00 reward on a Deere 330-C-LC Excavator stolen July 29 in Clermont, FL. PIN FF330CX082197

http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/Travelers_Deere_Exc_Theft_8.11.09.pdf


Springfield, MO Bobcat Theft
Thieves stole a practically new Bobcat T-300 from a road project east of Springfield, MO August 1. Someone potentially witnessed the machine being loaded. PIN A5GU35218. Details here: http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/NER_Theft_Alert_Bobcat_T300_MO_8.3.09.pdf


Ohio Deere Backhoe Theft
An NER member contractor lost a Deere 310-SG Backhoe from a site in Hamilton County, OH near the Indiana, Kentucky border area August 10. Industry and Law Enforcement are asked to watch for any 310-SG with painted over logos, or CGC logos, anywhere in the area, particularly any offered for sale. PIN T0310SG953038. More information here: http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/NER_Theft_Alert_Ohio_Backhoe_8.10.09.pdf

THEFT SUMMITS

There is still time to register for upcoming Regional Theft Summits. These summits bring law enforcement, equipment owners and insurance professionals together to discuss the problems and challenges of equipment theft...and some of the current solutions available.

Hosted by: MIAMI GARDENS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Miami Gardens, FL

August 18, 2009

El Palacio Hotel and Conference Center
21485 NW 27th Ave
Miami, FL 33056
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Hosted by: CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
Charlotte, NC

September 22, 2009

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and Fire Training Academy
1770 Shopton Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28217

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
These summits are designed for:


Law Enforcement

Equipment Owners, Dealers or Rental, and Auction Yards

Insurance Professionals

General Session - examines the equipment theft problem, recovery challenges and solutions. By exploring the growing problem of construction and agricultural equipment theft, the challenges that hinder equipment recovery and the latest equipment security technologies, attendees will be better prepared to join the fight against equipment theft.

Break-out Classes - provide law enforcement with instruction in equipment identification training, while equipment owners and insurers explore theft
prevention strategies and how to increase the chances of recovering stolen equipment.

Catered Lunch - gives equipment owners and law enforcement an opportunity to discuss issues of common interest and ways to support each
other's efforts.

Registration is free for law enforcement, equipment owners and NICB or NER member insurers.

To register, please call 866-663-7872 or email info@nerusa.com


Stacy Kaufman
National Equipment Register

561.843.3753
skaufman@nerusa.com

National 811 Day - Aug. 11

National 811 Day in the United States, scheduled for Aug. 11.

811 call-before-you-dig phone number

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will begin enforcement of the Fair and Accurate Credit

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will begin enforcement of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act (FACTA) Red Flags Rule for preventing identity theft on Aug. 1, 2009. This rule
requires many businesses, including rental operations, to ensure that sensitive personal
information of customers and employees is protected.
Affected rental businesses must create and implement a written security program
that deters identity thieves from obtaining personal information to open or access
accounts. The FTC notes that most businesses that provide products and services to
their customers and then bill them later are covered by the Rule. You can determine
if the Rule applies to your business by reading “Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags
Rule: A How-To Guide for Business” available at :
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/idtheft/bus23.pdf.
The FTC created 26 Red Flags, or warning signs, of suspicious activity to help businesses
identify an imposter who is using someone else’s identity to obtain products
and services. These red flags are spelled out in the guidelines issued with the Red
Flags Rule at www.ftc.gov/os/fedreg/2007/november/071109redflags.pdf. (The
guidelines can be found on pages 63773 and 63774.)
Four basic steps have been identified by the FTC to help businesses design a written
program to comply with the Red Flags Rule:
• Develop a written program to identify relevant red flags that are warning signs of
identity theft and train all employees on the plan.
• Establish policies and procedures to detect red flags.
• Identify preventive measures for red flags to prevent and mitigate identity theft
such as monitoring an account, closing an account, not opening a new account or
contacting a customer when a red flag is noted.
• Explain how you periodically will update your program to address new risks
and trends.
In addition to developing a plan to meet the Red Flags Rule, the FTC stresses that
businesses must describe how the plan will be administered, including getting management
approval, training staff and monitoring service providers for compliance.
The FTC notes that failure to comply with the Red Flags Rule could subject businesses
to civil monetary penalties.
The Red Flags Rule, according to the FTC, gives businesses some flexibility in designing
their programs. Depending on the size of the business and the potential risk
for identity theft, some companies need a comprehensive program, while businesses at low risk for identity theft may find that the do-ity
o u r s e l f p r o g r a m a v a i l a b l e a t
www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule may be sufficient. This Web
site also offers more resources, articles and information
to assist affected businesses in designing and
implementing their identity theft-prevention programs.
For questions about compliance with the
Red Flags Rule, contact RedFlags@ftc.gov.

Prevention

Nothing can raise your insurance rates faster than a claim can. The best way to avoid claims is to Prevent them. The definition of Prevention is to anticipate and implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable.

Key suggestions:

1. Have all vehicles and equipment regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. (keep all records)
2. Have MVRs obtained on all employed drivers annually.
3. Keep all work areas clean and safe. Safety should always be job one.
4. Install burglar alarms, barbed wire fencing and adequate lighting to your property.
5. Request two forms of ID from your renters.
6. Have all renters sign a Rental Agreement.
7. Make sure your insurance is specifically designed for the equipment rental industry.

If you have other suggestions, please send them my way at matt.davis@hylant.com.

Are you underinsured? – be sure

Just run through these four musts to be sure you really are insured adequately
BY GRETCHEN LEE

When the Bellevue Rental Center in Bellevue, Neb., suffered a devastating fire on Aug. 1, 2004, owner Dan Smith had no idea at first how much had been lost. Only the heavy equipment outside the building was salvageable. The flames destroyed his building and the inventory inside — along with all of his records.
That didn’t stop Smith from jumping back into business the very next day. He and his family set to work renting the remaining equipment from the yard. They created a makeshift office in a trailer borrowed from a friend, a local Honda car dealer.
Over the next few weeks, Smith took inventory of the damaged equipment and asked his old suppliers for copies of his original purchase invoices. Slowly, he was able to assess the value of what was lost in the fire — and discovered he was woefully underinsured — not by design, but because he’d only guesstimated the value when purchasing an insurance policy. The real replacement value of his inventory was twice the amount of his insurance coverage.
Do you know the value of your rental inventory? Can you say exactly what it would take for you to rebuild your business after a catastrophic event? If you don’t know, you’re not alone. Many stores don’t know the value of their businesses, and, as a consequence, they aren’t insured to value — which could put them out of business should disaster strike.
What’s worse, some rental store owners who do know the value of their equipment actually choose to underinsure their businesses — preferring to save a few bucks even if it means rolling the dice with their livelihoods.
Happily, Bellevue Rental Center has been able to recover. Though he wasn’t able to collect enough from his insurance company to cover everything, Smith was able to get a Small Business Administration-insured loan from the bank and began placing orders on equipment. Now he’s in a new building and is steadily rebuilding his inventory and growing his business back to its pre-fire level.
There’s a lesson or two to be learned here. If you want to be able to cover your losses no matter what unfortunate circumstances come your way, always insure to value and heed these four musts:
1. Maintain an accurate inventory. They say close only counts when playing horseshoes or throwing hand grenades, so focus first on creating a flawless accounting of your inventory. You’ll need this inventory to get an accurate insurance quote. And keep an up-to-date copy of your inventory off-site, along with copies of the original invoices for your equipment, because you’ll need them again if you suffer a loss. You might also consider storing photos or a videotape of your inventory off-site.
2. Count everything. Include things like the parts you use to make repairs — even 25-cent items add up when you’ve got thousands of them! And don’t overlook things like the value of your counters, shelving and workbenches, your computer system, your employees’ tools and customers’ equipment that may be on-site for repairs.
3. Get the right limits. It doesn’t pay to scrimp when it comes to insuring to value on your rental equipment because the pricing is based on decreasing increments. It’s almost like a quantity discount — the higher the values, the lower the rates. Also consider the type of coverage — if your policy pays to replace your equipment with new, make sure you value it at today’s prices, which may be higher than what you originally paid.
4. Don’t think it can’t happen. Some dealers convince themselves that their risk is reduced because their equipment is never all in the same place at the same time — either because it’s spread out over multiple locations or because some is out for rent or out in the yard while the remainder is in the store. But how could you know exactly how to distribute the value at risk? And what will you do if you make the wrong assumption?
Remember, there’s no guesswork when you insure to value using an accurate and comprehensive inventory of your business. Insurance is a smart investment — and it’s worth every penny to make it right.

Risk Management June/July 2005

Saving pennies, risking dollars

Not able to cover all of your losses? Why risk that when you don’t have to?
BY GRETCHEN LEE

You buy the insurance but you just never think you’ll actually have to make a claim on a catastrophic event. But last winter, the unthinkable happened at South Metro Rental in Lakeville, Minn.
On Dec. 15, 2004, a fire swept through the store, ignited by a bulldozer in the back of the shop. For more than two months afterward, Manager Dale Green and his staff of four full-time employees sifted slowly and methodically through the charred remains of the store, looking for salvageable items and painstakingly creating an inventory of things that had been damaged beyond repair.
Actually, it could have been worse. South Metro Rental had reviewed its insurance coverage just two months before the fire.
The company sent applications to multiple insurance companies, one of which quoted a price based on only about half the value of South Metro’s rental inventory, under the theory that there would never be a case in which all of the equipment would be damaged at once.
ARA Insurance Services, however, insisted on quoting a price based on the full replacement value of all the equipment. South Metro evaluated the risk based on an itemized inventory of the equipment and opted to insure it to full replacement value with ARA Insurance. Fortunately, because the company followed ARA Insurance’s advice, South Metro was adequately insured and received replacement cost in order to rebuild the company’s inventory. That saved thousands of dollars.
Although few rental store owners would choose to put themselves in the position of not being able to cover their losses should they be affected by a disaster like a fire, hurricane or tornado, too many companies end up undervaluing their equipment.
Some do it because they don’t actually know the total value of their inventory — they don’t have access to an accurate and comprehensive inventory.
Some do it because they forget to include the value of items such as parts kept in the shop where they service equipment, or tools that belong to their employees.
Others do it because they don’t really believe that their entire inventory actually needs to be insured. After all, they reason, at any given time there will be some equipment out on rent, some in the yard and — if the company has more than one store — some housed at other locations.
But the worst can — and does — happen. A tornado could damage tools in the yard, tear the roof off the store and overturn equipment at a jobsite. A terrible fire could break out in the store where three of the company’s most expensive items, a set of tractors usually housed one to a location, have all been moved in anticipation of a big rental the next day. When you insure to value, you’re insuring all of your inventory so that you can fully recover in the event of a catastrophe.
Contrary to popular thinking, it’s just not that costly to insure to value. Additional coverage over the basic amount is only incrementally expensive. As the value goes up, the increments go down. That means the first $100,000 in coverage may cost a certain amount, but the next $100,000 will cost less, and the $100,000 after that will cost even less.
We know that rental store owners are a cost-conscious lot, and almost all rental managers and owners know full well the importance of not overspending.
But when it comes to insurance, you’d be penny wise and pound foolish to not insure to value. If you really can’t replace your inventory for the amount quoted, how are you going to run your business?

Risk Management May 2005

National Equipment Register

June, 2009 Equipment Theft Advisory

4th of July Holiday Warning

Theft reports to NER this spring show that organized criminal elements appear to be driving theft activity nationwide. In addition to typical isolated theft incidents which increase seasonally, thefts targeting specific machines and specific areas indicate the organized criminal element is very active, and increasing their activity in light of current economic conditions. As discussed in two specific alerts on the continued threat against commercial mowers and backhoe loaders, theft prevention measures and the usual deterrents may not be enough to stop these rings.

Thefts by the Numbers:
Top Theft States May, June 2009:
Texas
Georgia
Florida
California
Alabama
Top Types of Equipment Targeted

Tractors: compact, Subcompact and Utility
Commercial Mowers
Skid Steer Loaders
Utility Vehicles/Utility Carts
Backhoe Loaders
Top Theft Locations

Dealerships
Open Job Sites
Rental Yards
Storage Areas/Equipment Yards
Agricultural Fields
IT IS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF IF A THEFT WILL OCCUR BUT WHEN IT WILL OCCUR - RECOGNIZING THEFTS IN PROGRESS MUST BE A NEW FOCUS IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM


Undoubtedly, the organized criminal element and small time thieves will take advantage of slowdowns before and during the 4th of July Holiday. Industry and Law Enforcement must educate personnel to recognize and be prepared to respond to thefts in progress that currently are not being detected, allowing thieves to operate with near impunity.
CALL 911! NER strongly encourages any afterhours activity at dealerships, rental and contractor yards and job sites to be reported to local police immediately, especially vehicles entering or exiting the facilities. Companies should provide employees with this alert to raise awareness and increase the number of eyes on the lookout for thefts.
Law Enforcement should be on the alert that any afterhours activity at these locations is most likely criminal in nature- dispatch and patrol personnel must be made aware of this dramatically increasing trend, and provided information on how to respond by making use of NER and NICB's resources through NICB's Law Enforcement hotline- 800-447-6282
Industry should post emergency phone numbers at jobsites, yards and dealerships. Also be sure your emergency contact information on file with NER and the local Construction Industry Crime Prevention Programs is up to date. Update your company phone message with emergency contact information that will reach someone over the holiday.
Law Enforcement should contact NICB for NER's ownership information on any equipment stopped or examined. Any thefts occurring over the holiday no doubt will not be active thefts on NCIC; only the owners can confirm a machine is NOT STOLEN.
Organized Theft Rings

Commercial Mowers and Backhoes Targeted, Organized Rental Frauds

Commercial Mowers thefts and the incredible rate of Backhoe thefts in Miami have both been subjects of NER advisories in the past. Owners are taking steps to prevent theft, but these trends continue to gain steam with no sign of letting up.

Miami Area Backhoe Thefts
NER now lists 19 backhoe loaders stolen in Florida since January, the majority of thefts occurring in the greater Miami metropolitan area. Consistently the machines are stolen from job sites, at times just after workers leave. NER recommends that NO Backhoe Loaders be left on job sites, whether open or fenced, over the 4th of July weekend. All machines should be removed to secure, monitored storage preferably in doors. See the full advisory here:
http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/NER_Theft_Advisory_Backhoes_Miami_June_09.pdf

The Commercial Mower Theft Juggernaut
Over the years, more enterprising and motivated criminal organizations appear to be involved in the thefts of commercial ride on mowers, and the incidents in 2009 show an alarming brazenness and very little apparent fear of discovery by the offenders. Dealers across the country have heeded warnings from NER and the manufacturers to protect equipment and engage local Law Enforcement before thefts occur. These efforts, though, appear to only motivate the thieves to more complex and premeditated burglaries. Thieves are using stolen commercial vehicles, rented U-Haul vans, and victim's rigs to steal the machines, after they often spend hours at the facilities assembling the machines from crates. They arrive with tools, batteries, fuses, relays and diesel fuel- anything they may need to get the targeted machines into operation. In one incident in Florida, thieves brought a custom constructed bridge specifically fitted to allow machines to traverse a large drainage ditch at a dealership.

Stopping thefts in progress, and connecting Law Enforcement across the country investigating these crimes may be the only way to disrupt this trend, and ease the tremendous financial impact it is having on the industry. Law Enforcement and the industry must work hand in hand to share information, and raise awareness among the general public. See the full advisory at:
http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/NER_Theft_Advisory_Commercial_Mowers_June_09.pdf

Organized Rental Fraud Rings
Rental fraud and conversion is not a new plague afflicting the rental industry. An increase in organized frauds targeting an increased volume of property and equipment, though, is making the impact of this problem critical for the struggling rental industry. Law Enforcement is encouraged to work proactively with the industry to recognize these offenses as the orchestrated criminal behavior they are. The rental industry is encouraged to work within its own community, the American Rental Association and NER to share information on trends in order to forewarn potential victims and to help Law Enforcement locate offenders. See recent NER and ARA advisories on these acts at:
California Thefts By Fraud (involving potentially armed subjects) http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/Rental_Fraud_Alert_California_6.4.09.pdf
Texas Identity Theft Fraud http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/NER_Texas_Rental_Fraud_Alert_6.8.09.pdf
Texas Fraud Artists Pawn Machine http://www.stopequipmenttheft.com/ARA_Fraud_Alert_5.28.2009.pdf

View this advisory as a PDF online at:

www.stopequipmenttheft.com/Hotlist.html

National Equipment Register

skaufman@nerusa.com
561.843.3753
www.stopequipmen
theft.com

Heavy Equipment Theft Summit

Heavy Equipment Theft Summit

Hosted by:
Massachusetts State Police
Governors Auto Theft Strike Force
June 3, 2009
Stonehill College
320 Washington St., Easton, MA 02356

Sponsors:
ARAM NEWS
The Massachusetts State Police, American Rental Association, ARA of Massachusetts, FBI-LEEDA, National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)and National Equipment Register (NER) invite you to participate in this one-day regional summit designed for:Law Enforcement Equipment Owners, Dealers or Rental, and Auction Yards
Insurance Adjusters or Agents General Session - examines the equipment theft problem, recovery challenges and solutions. By exploring the growing problem of construction and agricultural equipment theft, the challenges that hinder equipment recovery and the latest equipment security technologies, attendees will be better prepared to join the fight against equipment theft.

Break-out Classes - provide law enforcement with instruction in equipment identification training, while equipment owners and insurers explore theft prevention strategies and how to increase the chances of recovering stolen equipment.

Catered Lunch - gives equipment owners and law enforcement an opportunity to discuss
issues of common interest and ways to support each other’s efforts.

Registration is FREE for law enforcement,equipment owners and NICB or NER member insurers.
(866) 663-7872
info@NERusa.com

Commercial Dealer

Check out my latest article in Commercial Dealer:

http://www.commercialdealer.com/news/news.asp?ID=1918

Inland Marine:

Inland Marine:
Is your Rental Equipment covered?

This coverage should protect your rental equipment against direct physical loss or damage including conversion and theft. Flood and earthquake coverage should be included.

Your policy should also include, but not be limited to, rental equipment such as portable equipment, self-powered
equipment, equipment trailers 10,000lbs and under, tools and equipment that you have re-rented from other equipment dealers or for which you are financially responsible.


The equipment and property described above should be covered on premises, off premises and while being transported.

Please make sure you are covered!

Featured in Commercial Dealer

Follow this link: http://www.commercialdealer.com/news/news.asp?ID=1866

Are you insured?

It started like any other morning, the alarm went off , I took a lukewarm shower, shaved and got dressed. I headed downstairs to see what I wanted to pull out from the freezer to cook for dinner. That's when I discovered at some point our hot water heater had sprung a leak. Water flooded much of my basement, at some points up to an inch deep.

I shut down the water, went to the store and grabbed some blowers and a wet dry vac. Once I had things somwhat under control I called my insurance agent of about 15 years. She informed I was covered for the claim and told me to call one of the national "Clean-up" companies. She had me call in my claim to the insurance company and off I went.

The clean up guys came and I showed them the area involved. The supervisor and I went upstairs where he had me sign paperwork that said they could not give me an estimate, if they did give me an estimate it was inaccurate, that I gave them permission to work on my house, that they were not responsible for any damage they might do and that if the insurance company did not pay, I was responsible. Talk about writing a blank check!

The kicker to this is when we went downstairs a few minutes later, all of my carpeting was torn out. Maybe he could have warned me or explained what they were going to be doing? They insisted on using their blowers because they were "better" and the insurance company was paying anyway (maybe). Truth is his machines are my older style machines and work far less efficiently than the machines I brought.

Fortunately the first chapter ends happily. I did have coverage and the insurance company put me back together. New doors where needed, new carpeting, walls painted. It looked nice....

But I got to thinking about my agent. She covered all my property insurance including my cars. I had been with her for over 15 years. But what had she done for me? We had met in her office a few times but she had never been to the house. Her only suggestions were included in form letters about my renewals. I should add flood coverage, I should add an umbrella policy. Never a discussion about, never a follow up to explain why I might want flood insurance or an umbrella policy. After the flood, she never called, never came to see how things were, never asked how her recommendation for a clean up company worked out.

I decided it was time to shop my insurance. I was not looking for the lowest price, that's often going to get substandard coverage and poor service. I was looking for an agent that cared about me, my house, my property. Someone that would show me how to reduce my risks in a cost effective manner. The end result was that at some point this summer I changed my insurance agent and insurance company.

It started like any other morning, the alarm went off , I took a shower, shaved and got dressed. My wife headed downstairs to see what to pull out from the freezer to cook for dinner. That's when she yelled upstairs for me to come down, and bring towels.

December's ice storm was a good test of many peoples insurance coverage for many people. Framingham (where I live) was fortunate, we just got rain. Lots of rain. Unfortunately for me I live in the valley of the street. The lowest point. Water (or sewerage) takes the path of least resistance. Apparently the town sewer could not take care of the vast amount of rain. Unfortunately for me. the path of least resistance in this case was the sewer pipe into my basement. It was everywhere.

I was better prepared this time. I had already pre-shopped clean up services so I knew who I was calling. They said they would be over within two hours. I headed to the store to see how things were there. Everything was ice covered. The store ran a cash register and a set of lights on a generator. We helped customers shop by flashlight.

The clean up company called me and I went home to meet them. They explained what they needed to do. Most of my belongings (couch, table, chairs...) in the basement needed to be thrown out. They needed to remove all the new carpeting. They needed to cut 2' off all the walls. The informed me and made me more comfortable.

I called my new agent. He was not in but his associate got my file. Uh Oh. I had two choices for coverage, the gold plan or the platinum plan. I had chosen the gold. It was $150 a year cheaper but the platinum plan would have given me $5,000 coverage for sewer backup. "You have no coverage for this". sigh.

"Wait", I said. "Did you say $5,000 coverage?". She replied she had. "Keep looking" I said. "Oh....(pause)....you took out a $20,000 rider to cover sewer or sump pump failure, you are covered".

So why did I have the gold plan instead of the diamond? How did I end up with this rider?

Through the care and concern of my new agent.

He had come to the house and visited me. He asked if I ever had trouble because of being the low spot in the neighborhood. I had never had a problem in 11 years in the house. When he explained the difference between the plans, the platinum was $150 more and gave $5,000 sewer or sump pump failure coverage and $25,000 of identity theft coverage. He said he was not so worried about the identity coverage but was concerned about the sewer and sump pumps. I then told him, based on my hot water heater incident, that $5,000 was not enough to cover that any way. He suggested the a $20,000 rider for sewer or sump pump failure, which was only $110 a year and would cover our concerns.

I cannot tell you how happy I am that I changed agents. I was paying good money and deserved better service. Had I not changed agents, I would have not been covered. As for my claim, it right now is at $21,000.

I encourage you to allow your agent to sit with you every two or three years and really look at your business. Where are your risks, where are your concerns. How can they be addressed and what can be done to reduce your other risks. Ask them "what if" questions, listen to their concerns and share your own. Ask them what would happen if .. your building had a sewer backup that flooded it, you had a fire that damaged your equipment and destroyed your computer systems. Who would pay for trailers or tents to be brought in for you to operate out of, for temporary phone connections.

I know we all dread meeting with insurance people but a good agent is doing their job and providing a service to you when they try to help you reduce your risks.

Steve Reitter

John M. Haedo, CIC, CRM

John M. Haedo, CIC, CRM
Senior Vice President

John Haedo began his insurance career in 1974, a year after his graduation from Temple University in Philadelphia. In 1977, he started Haedo Insurance Agency in Philadelphia, specializing in Property and Casualty and Personal Lines sales. When the last hard market hit in 1985, John closed the doors along with many other independent insurance agents. After a brief stint in the benefits and investments field, John went back to P&C, joining a brokerage firm near his home. In 1989, he began concentrating his efforts exclusively in the equipment rental industry.

Wanting to be back on his own again, John founded NIS with Brian Hall and Mike Thompson. John believes that the customer is #1, period.

Phone: (800) 556-9288
Fax: (800) 556-9299
E-mail: john581@comcast.net

ARA Members Will Be Recognized for Their Service at The Rental Show

American Rental Association
Moline, IL - During The Rental Show each year, the American Rental Association recognizes individuals for outstanding service to the association and the rental industry. Here is the list of award recipients for The Rental Show 2009, to be held March 2-5 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta....

Regional Person of the Year Awards
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions at the regional, state or local level. Awards are presented during the regional lunches on March 2.
Region One - Eugene LaPierre, retired, West Springfield, MA.
Region Two - John Haedo, National Insurance Specialists, Garnet Valley, PA.
Region Three - Roscoe Nesmith, Portable Air Conditioning, Cocoa, FL.
Region Five - Dick Fullmer, Caro Rental, Caro, MI.
Region Six - Bob McClelland, Bob McClelland Sales Co./Party On, Buffalo, MO.
Region Six - Michelle Evans, Evans Equipment Co., Glenwood, IA.
Region Seven - Krista L. O’Rourke, USI Rental Specialties, Elizabeth, CO.
Region Eight - Doug Hanson, A-1 Rentals, Billings, MT.
Region Nine - Sherri Creighton, Pleasanton Rentals, Pleasanton, CA.
Region 10 - Ken Fingler, Hayhurst Elias Dudek, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

ARA Region One Director

From Your Regional Director

In the words of Ben Franklin, "If you fail to train, you are training to fail." The Rental Show, which is March 2-5 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, is THE one place you can get training and educational opportunities that can help your business through these challenging times. You can get new ideas, new ways to make money, new ways to save money, new products to carry ... the list goes on and on. Attending the Show is, for each of us, a wise investment in our business and our future. And with the announcement on Monday that discount registration pricing is extended through the Show, it's a more economical investment as well. (You can find details on travel discounts in this e-mail also.)

One of my goals as director was to rejuvenate the Region One Hospitality Suite. I am pleased to announce that through the generosity of several sponsors, the Suite will be open on Tuesday, March 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room B312 at the Georgia World Congress Center. It will be the chance for you to have a bite to eat, something to drink and to network. The value of what we can learn from each other is tremendous. I need to say a special thank you to our sponsors: National Insurance Specialists, Solutions by Computer and J&J Sales, representing Top-Tec Products, Commercial Seating and Jomar Linens.

I know these times have been tough on us. If you are on the fence between going and not going to the Show, I have a special offer for you. It's important to note that I am making this offer personally. It is not something the ARA is doing, and no other region is eligible for this offer. I am giving away a four-night stay at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, right next to the Georgia World Congress Center. You will be able to check in on Feb. 28 and check out March 4, allowing you the chance to attend your choice of the pre-Show workshops (Construction U, Events & Tents or Next Generation of Rental Owners, at your own expense) and stay for several days of the Show. The approximate value of the hotel stay is $675 and you can learn more about the Omni here.

If you are interested in winning, please e-mail me at steve.reitter@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, Feb. 7. The winner will be notified by noon on Monday.

You can find more details on all aspects of The Rental Show online at www.TheRentalShow.com and you can register by clicking here. And if you're looking for a place to eat in Atlanta, you can't miss the Varsity! It's been on the Food Network numerous times and I had lunch there in October. It was awesome (the chili dogs were delicious)!



Discounts Help You Save on Travel

Now is a great time to plan your travel, as there are a variety of airfare discounts available. For example, a round-trip fare from Boston to Atlanta is $159.20 and from New York's LaGuardia it's $169.20. Many of the current discounts require purchasing tickets by Feb. 10 and travel before May 20, which works out well for your travel to The Rental Show. Check the Web site of your favorite airline or travel company to book direct, or call The Travel Business at 800/962-1879 for assistance.

In addition, The Rental Show is registered with AirTran Airways Event Savers Program, which offers a 10 percent discount on the lowest available AirTran one-way fare and other benefits. To take advantage of the program, call 866/68-EVENT (866/683-8368) for reservations. You must use event code ATL030209 and state this is for The Rental Show 2009 when booking. The Travel Business also can assist you with this option.

There also are Atlanta hotel discounts available. Several of The Rental Show's official hotels have lowered their rates for the Show, plus Travel Planners offers its "lowest rate guarantee" for all ARA hotels. Find complete information in the Travel and Housing section of the Show Web site here.



Register for the Region One Lunch, Other Events

Take advantage of all the networking opportunities available during The Rental Show. Be sure to register for the Region One lunch on March 2, sponsored by EDCO - Equipment Development Co. and Kwik-Covers, as well as the Show's two major events: "Georgia on My Mind" on March 2 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and "ARA's Gone Country" on March 4 at the Atlanta Civic Center. There's also the new round-table breakfast, which will be a terrific forum for comparing ideas and gaining advice. Details on all of the Show events are online here.


If you have any questions about The Rental Show, please send me an e-mail at steve.reitter@gmail.com or give me a call at 978/562-7317. See you in Atlanta!



Steve Reitter
ARA Region One Director
Robinsons Ace Hardware and Rental
31 Washington St.
Hudson, MA 01749
978/562-7317

Region One Hospitality Suite at The Rental Show

Tuesday, March 3rd - 5 to 7 PM
Georgia World Congress Center - Room B312

-Sponsored by the ARA State Rental Associations of Region One
CT - MA - ME - NH - NY - RI - VT

-National Insurance Specialists is a vendor sponsor

Top Ten Construction Safety Tips by John Meola, CSP, ARM in forconstructionpros.com

.....1. Getting on and off equipment
Getting on and off the machine is the No. 1 cause of injury to equipment operators, forklift drivers and truck drivers, any one of whom will readily share their "learning episode." It happens a lot.

First, check your gloves and boots. Clean the mud off before climbing, and use "high grip" gloves for a secure hand hold. Next, use a three-point stance going and coming. Use large size hand and foot holds. Securely engage the entire hand and foot, avoiding a toe-hold or finger-hold grip. Use a step ladder for access when no hand or foot holds are provided. Avoid carrying objects while climbing.

If the machine needs additional hand holds or steps installed, do it. Operators come in different sizes. Make it as easy and safe as possible to ascend/descend. Avoid the need to stretch by putting the grab rails where they're easy to securely reach.

When exiting the machine, correct practice is to lower yourself in a controlled manner - never jump!

2. Loading/unloading equipment
Even on level ground, there is a risk of machine roll-over during loading or unloading. Make sure you are centered on the ramps and stay straight. Allow enough room to maneuver the trailer and machine, which is sometimes difficult on tightly compressed jobsites. Use a spotter for guidance. Make sure the machine clears the ramps before turning. Keep people away from the sides of the machine during loading/unloading.

Check the trailer deck, clearances and stability. Review your lock-out/tag-out plan to be sure the machine is at "Zero Energy State" when stowed.

Use proper tie-down procedures. If using compression chain binders, use caution when opening the handle. The load may shift just enough to add tension to the chain and the handle may spring open. Use safety tie wires or switch to ratchet binders.

3. People crowding the work area
Ask any backhoe operator what their biggest headache is and they will tell you without hesitation - people on the ground crowding the machine. People love to stand at the edge of the hole and watch the dirt being moved. There is usually no reason for them to be there, just force of habit. But why create an exposure to injury when none needs to exist?

People on the ground must stay well away from the machine operating area. Review this important point at safety meetings. Foremen need to enforce this, not the operator.
When ready to start work, use the horn to warn people to stay back; stop the machine if needed; and always check your back before backing up the machine.

4. Machine swing radius
Swing radius accidents are common. How do you think all those scrape marks got on that counterweight? Unfortunately, they are also usually fatal when people are involved.

Thus, it's important to rope off the swing radius around the machine or otherwise secure it. Allow no spectators; use a spotter to keep all people clear.

5. Operation on slopes
Caution is always required when operating on slopes. You might make it up the slope with a load, but coming down is another story! Know the limits of the machine, allow for surface conditions and don't push it.

6. Overhead/buried obstructions
Be aware of overhead obstructions and underground utilities, including electrical lines, water, sewer, gas, telecom, etc.
Definitively mark or warn of overhead lines or low clearances. When digging, call Dig Safe or whichever agency has jurisdiction. Continue to use caution even after underground lines are marked, since errors in marking are common. Be prepared to hand dig when it's getting close.

Use sawhorses, signs, barrier tapes, etc., to indicate obstructions. Take no chances.

7. Backing
Reverse motion on anything in this industry is fraught with peril. Backup alarms on construction machinery are basically cosmetic devices in terms of assuring a clear backside. As such, operators need to positively assure that no one or nothing is behind them. This is achieved by getting out and looking.

Always check the machine perimeter before moving. When vision is impaired, have a spotter (in high-visibility apparel) guide you.

Use wide angle mirrors. The new generation of machines is fitted with best viewable surface mirrors. Keep them clean and adjusted.
Use rear-mounted cameras and/or rear-mounted presence-sensing alarms. Presence-sensing alarms are becoming more reliable as technology improves. The equipment industry recognizes the urgency of the problem and will find technical solutions to address chronic people behavior problems.

8. Machine upset
If a piece of equipment starts to tip, your seat belt becomes your lifeline. Yet, the list of excuses for failure to use seat belts or harnesses is amazingly long. Most operators would make great fiction writers with the excuses they can come up with. If it weren't so grim, we should offer to add their reasons to their obituary.

Always use a seat belt. A professional operator will not have to be reminded of this bed-rock rule. Wear the belt even with the cab door closed. It decreases how much you will bounce around in the cab during normal operations, and may help you control the machine in a borderline upset situation.

In addition, operators need to understand the machine's stability characteristics on all surface types and conditions. Check to see if the equipment manufacturer or dealer offers an instructional video.

9. Instability or loss of load
Moving dirt or bulk materials is fairly straightforward. It becomes more complex when you try to use the hoe as a crane, or otherwise become creative in finding new applications. The best pipe layers in the world might only be "fair" when it comes to rigging. All rigging attachments for lifting must be engineered for safety. Be sure to use:
oversized fittings
positive locking attachments
safety latches on all hooks
correct lifting angles on chains or cable bridles
properly inspected nylon slings
abrasion and cut protection on sharp edges and masonry
spreader beams to provide correct lifting geometry
Keep all people well clear of a load being lifted or handled. Either get the guys out of the trench, or send them to a safe distance when the pipe is being placed. Never lift a load over people.

A lot of serious accidents also occur when trying to use one machine to do multiple functions. Rough-terrain forklifts, skid steers and similar multi-use machines are versatile, but are often pushed beyond their limits for expediency. Operators need to understand that there are limitations that must be observed and safety is primary.

10. Lock-out/Tag-out
Most mechanics will tell you a horror story or two that illustrates why OSHA made the lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) rule. Any raised load (or object, such as the bucket or attachment) is subject to LOTO provisions.

All pinch points on a machine must be identified and protected (guarded) when possible. The minimum warning is a pictorial decal advising of the hazard. If a dump body has a safety "crutch," make sure it is functional and used.

Refueling, service personnel and mechanics need to use positive means to assure their safety while servicing or working on the machine, i.e., wheel chocks, steering wheel covers with LOTO Warning imprint and LOTO locks, tags and hardware configured to the machine.
Review manufacturer directions for safety in all cases, even if this is the fifth generation of machine you bought from the same manufacturer. There are illustrations and directions in all manuals to point out safety features, do's and don'ts, good practices/bad practices, efficiency measures, etc.

Safety focus
The equipment and machinery produced today are the safest and most reliable ever made. To get the most out of these tools and ensure your employees' safety, a comprehensive safety program should not only be in place on all your jobs, it should be relevant, timely, frequently referenced and backed up by top management. Keep your operators and ground crews informed of the hazards they face (i.e., by reading the machine manual), keep them motivated and aware and recognize their accident-free achievements.

John Meola is corporate safety manager for VMS, Inc., Richmond, VA.

The Rental Show - March 2-5, 2009

Come visit us in booth 1426 on the Party and Special Event side or booth 3703 on the Light Construction and General Tool side.

Georgia World Congress Center - Atlanta, GA - March 2-5, 2009

Show Hours:

Tuesday - March 3 - 10-5
Wednesday - March 4 - 9-5
Thursday - March 5 - 9-2

ARAM Newsletter

TEMPORARY OPERATORS LICENSES FOR SHORT TERM RENTERS
As we announced at the Vendors Night, the MA Department of Public Safety has begun issuing certificates to rental businesses that wish to be able to offer their customers the “Temporary Operators License” for short term rentals. All equipment operators in Massachusetts that operate any equipment that can lift over 500 lbs, lift to a height of 10 ft. or has more then 1/4 cubic yard capacity are required by law to have an operators license. Our efforts to provide a program that would train our customers and allow them to operate legally has now been approved. If you rent skid steers, loader backhoes and /or mini excavators, you should participate in this program. ARAM has developed an easy to use application and training protocol that is available to members. Email Gene at gene1403@hotmail.com and he will send you the paperwork to get started. ARAM has also put together a training manual that you would use to prepare your customers for their temporary license. We are also putting the final touches on a RenTech program to “Train the Trainer”. This program will teach your staff on the procedures they need to follow in order to comply with the regulations of the Dept. of Public Safety for issuing these licenses. Once dates and locations are set, we will notify you. Get started now, submit your application and begin offering this service to your customers.

IMPORTANT
Do you have trailers in your fleet?
They now need to be inspected.
Go to
www.mass.gov/rmv/inspect
for more information
Note: If your truck or trailer has a currently valid DOT inspection, you do not need to re-inspect. You can wait until the current inspection decals expiration date. If you have any questions about this new program please email them to me at
gene1403@hotmail.com and I will get the answers from the RMV and print them here.
The cost of these inspections can vary from station to station. Shop around, get quotes.
Gene