August 2005

President's Message

Dennis Healy LA RIMS President

I hope everyone had a safe Fourth of July. This has been a very exciting year for the L.A. Chapter. As I look back over the last six months, I am proud of the Chapter’s accomplishments. Our new website is up and running. Please take a moment to check out the improvements. The Chapter continues to receive recognition from national RIMS on our website.

If you are in need of job opportunities, please check out our Career Center page on the website. Becky Smith continues to search and provide opportunities for our members.

You can also find a directory of all our members on the website under Membership Services. Maybe you would like to bounce an idea off of a colleague. Go to the directory, look for someone in your industry, and get in contact with that person. This is a great networking opportunity.

Our speakers continue to pack the house. With the large increase in attendance at the luncheon meetings, I encourage everyone to RSVP early. This will keep the last minute scramble before lunch to a minimum. If you have a speaker or topic idea, please contact Tanya Karn or Ruth Lindstrom through our website.

RIMS is a membership that is budgeted for by each one of us or our employers. I encourage all members to get their money’s worth. Use the website to find out more about the L.A. Chapter, as well as to take advantage of easy online registration to attend meetings. For the new members, take a deep breath, shake some hands, and get to know your fellow members.

Dennis Healy

L.A. RIMS Chapter President

Chapter Clips

PATRICK RYAN SPEAKS AT
L.A. RIMS EVENT

(L -R) Pat Ryan - Chairman of Aon and
Dennis Healy - LA RIMS President

Patrick Ryan, Executive Chairman of Aon, was the keynote speaker at the Chapter’s recent luncheon meeting held on July 20, at the New Otani Hotel. He outlined the broker’s role in the 21st century to a crowd of 180 attendees. Risk managers, analysts, brokers, and underwriters had his full attention at the luncheon.

Mr. Ryan emphasized not only the broker’s role but also the client’s role in understanding the insurance marketplace. The risk manager has the responsibility of making sure their company’s management not only understands their insurance program, but should also be made aware of the issues behind contingency fees.

(L -R) Pat Ryan - Chairman of Aon, Dennis Healy - LA RIMS President and Sam Cargill - Managing Director of Aon, Southern California

At the conclusion of Mr. Ryan’s presentation, the Chapter’s President, Dennis Healy presented Mr. Ryan with a gift of appreciation. Several attendees have communicated to the Chapter that Mr. Ryan’s presentation was excellent. The L..A. Chapter would like to thank those who played a role in making this meeting a success!

Please don’t miss the slide show!

Click here to view the slide show.

New Position Postings

y National Risk Management Coordinator

y Finance Director

y Director of Risk Management Services

y Workers Compensation Specialist

y Risk Management Technician

y Claims Manager

y Senior Risk Manager

y VP Risk Management

y Risk Management Specialist

y Vice President Sales and Marketing

y Vice President, Risk Management

To view all job opportunities in their entirety, please use this direct link to the LA RIMS website.

è Click here to visit LA RIMS Career Center

Calendar of Events

L.A. RIMS Luncheon

è	August 17, 2005
	Topic: RIMS Benchmark Survey
	Speaker: Mike Lichman, Advisen Ltd. Click Here for more information

è	September 21, 2005 LA RIMS Luncheon

è	October 19, 2005 Education Day
è	November 16, 2005 Annual Meeting
è	December TBD 2005 Holiday Meeting

Health & Safety

ILL EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT

Los Angeles is expected to experience hot weather through July and August 2005.

The best ways to be protected from the ill effects of excessive heat are to dress appropriately; stay Indoors, refrain from strenuous work or exercise during the hottest part of the day and stay hydrated.

è Click here to read the entire article.

IDENTITY SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

Identity theft (ID) has sometimes been referred as the “Crime of the Century.” It tops the list of consumer complaints, according to a recent report from the Federal Trade Commission. ID theft occurs in many ways ranging from careless sharing of personal information to the theft of a purse, wallet, or mail.

è Click here to read the entire article.

JOB CONDITIONS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO EXTRA POUNDS

A study of thousands of male and female government workers in Finland suggests that job fatigue and overtime may contribute to weight gain.

è Click here to read the entire article.

RISKS TO ROADWAY WORKERS INCREASE AS SUMMER APPROACHES

According to the American Society of Safety Engineers, 1,028 people died in roadway work zones in the United States in 2004.

è Click here to read the entire article.

Legislative Updates

WORKERS’ COMP: GARAMENDI ANNOUNCES BIG PURE PREMIUM RATE REDUCTION

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has announced a big reduction –18 percent - in the recommended pure premium rate for workers’ compensation policies starting on or after July 1, 2005. Combined with the 22.6 percent in reductions the commissioner has recommended since 2003, the total reductions now stand at 36.5 percent since the twin workers’ comp reform bills, A.B. 227 and S.B.228, were enacted. The pure premium rate is only advisory, so workers’ comp insurers do not have to follow it, although many do.

Legislative Updates

FEDERAL OSHA LAUNCHES DISASTER SITE TRAINING

OSHA has rolled out a new Disaster Site Worker Outreach Training Program aimed at assuring the safety and health of workers who respond to disasters. It will train workers who provide skilled support in emergency response and recovery operations at disaster sites and raise awareness for workers and employers about the importance of pre-incident training. A 16-hour Disaster Site Worker Course emphasizes the incident command system, hazard awareness, personal protective equipment, and decontamination. For more information, including training dates and sites, visit the OSHA website at www.osha.gov