ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) teamed up with Federated Mutual Insurance Co. to offer a designated risk manager training seminar at Federated’s corporate headquarters in Owatonna, Minn. The two-and-a-half day session attracted a cross-section of specialty contracting industry representatives, including ACCA members who were trained by risk management experts on a variety of topics. ACCA’s Charlie McCrudden, vice president of government relations, said business leaders who are well versed in loss prevention would position their companies to save money and avoid costly claims.

“Most losses faced by small businesses are completely preventable,” he said. “The folks at Federated showed how having a designated risk manager in a small business is a valuable investment.”

The topics covered included hiring practices, employment-related practices liability, business succession planning, motor vehicle records and driver standards, distracted driving, disaster planning, and workers’ compensation claims management.

“The key to controlling your insurance premiums, and ultimately your business profitability, is to keep your losses under control,” said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. “The best companies, of all sizes, have a designated risk manager to help control those losses. The challenge? It’s not a full-time job. So it’s difficult to ensure proper training and qualifications for the individual charged with this important role.”

Through a special partnership with ACCA, Federated offered the training free of charge in late August to a limited number of ACCA members.

For more information, visit www.acca.org/federated.

Publication date: 10/12/2009