Normally in the summer MTM has a slight slowdown from the rest of the year. Here’s the high level annual MTM plan: In January we are wrapping up details/printing documents for our members largest renewal month. February we are working hard to finalize 12/31 numbers and the required actuarial work to present to Board Committees and the full MTM Board. These meetings are where the important member dividends are discussed. Then in March and April we prepare and deliver member checks. In May once again we have Board Marketing/Underwriting Committee, Board Finance Committee and full Board meetings. It’s busy. June we are prepared for another busy member renewal month – July. In July and August staff will take vacation and we get ready for the normal year-end sprint. September is when we plan reinsurance (insurance for possible large MTM member losses) meetings, our annual member meeting in October and send out individually tracked ballots for the annual Board member vote. October is a month when all Board committees meet as well as the full Board and the Annual Members Meeting. Finally in November and December we are preparing all the studies and documents for January renewals. Each renewal push involves Claims staff, Loss Control, Accounting, Underwriting and Marketing staff.

That’s the year in summary. But this summer has been different. Several projects took over July and August. Let me cover them for you.

Beta testing of a new out-of-state coverage option for our members. Beta test #1 in January found several flaws. Much was learned. Beta test #2 went/is going well. We plan a full rollout for January 1, 2020.

Loss Control 3 Day MIOSHA 10+ Hour General Industry class for our members as well as individual Stop the Bleed trainings and kits.

Reinsurance program revamping (seeing if we can save MTM insurance cost – which goes back to our members).

Office buildout going on this summer, moving in September. We got more space and saved money too.

Loss Portfolio marketing and out-of-state option. Still deep in this project, but on target.

When you tell me how busy your shop is, I now have more empathy. It is a busy time for all of us. Hope you are getting some time to enjoy the last of our summer days.

By Donna Motley, Vice President of Claims

A while ago I wrote about the medical profession’s new diagnosis of “Text Neck” – concerns about physical conditions being created by a person’s head being constantly bent forward while using a cell phone. Reading material I have received recently from a physical therapy facility now lists additional “new” diagnoses: Texting Thumb, Selfie Elbow, Text Neck and Tablet Tingling. These are new titles for “overuse conditions” officially titled Trigger Thumb, DeQuervains Tenosynovitis, Epicondylitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. All of these conditions relate to straining and overuse of said body part resulting in inflammation.

If you are a January 1st renewal, please be on the lookout for your payroll renewal form. Payroll renewal forms have been sent out to all insureds that have an effective date of January 1st 2020. We are asking for your estimated annual payroll for 2020 which assists in reducing that chance for additional audit money due at the end of your policy. Please complete the form and return it to Glenda or an additional copy can be requested by emailing glenda.moyle@mtmic.com/blog.

As of September 30, 2019 our new address is:

39500 High Pointe Blvd. Suite 260
Novi, MI 48375

Please continue to mail all correspondence to:

P.O. Box 9150
Farmington Hills, MI 48333-9150
Phone: 800-274-5606
Fax: 248-488-1980

On Thursday, October 17, 2019

AGENDA:

• Welcome & Introductions: Megan Brown, ARM, CWCP, CAWC, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
• Company Overview: A Year in Review: John R. Karlen, CPCU, APA, ARe, President
• MTMIC Dividend History: An Early Look at 2019: Chris Doebler, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
• Maintaining a Safe and Drug Free Workplace: Lori Schuck Barresi, Allied Safety Consultants
• Creating a Safety and Security Plan for Your Business: Darcy Leutzinger and Lindsay Gietzen, Premier Safety Group

Well, after having no spring, summer has finally arrived and it’s in full force. Hot, humid, mosquitos – the summer we all know in Michigan. With July here, the first six months of 2019 of MTM loss results are now in the books. During my recent visits to MTM members, the most common question is how does it look for our next dividend. Here’s my answer on that subject with the caveats: 1) things can change good or bad. 2) we still have half of the year to complete. With that said, the first six months of 2019 were good. The results if this was the whole year would be a nice member’s dividend to distribute. 2019 losses are lower than expected both in frequency and severity. As an example on the severity side, last year, in 2018 we experienced two fatalities. So far in 2019 (knock very hard on wood) we are at zero. On this one metric, over the last six years: 3 of the years we have had one fatality per year, two years at 0, and then last year, at 2. Even with “regular” claims, frequency this year is looking good. Congratulations to our members for their Loss Control efforts and a special shout-out to the MTM Loss Control team.

My goal/hope is that the second half of 2019 is as good as the first half of 2019. This would make delivery of member dividend checks early in 2020 a lot of fun. This would be the sixth year in a row of owner dividends.

Lastly, every October we have the annual MTM members’ meeting and lunch. As in past years this lunch is held in the delightful location/facility of The Inn at St. John’s, Plymouth, Michigan. The date has been set for October 17th. A “Save the Date” notice was recently mailed out. Last year’s presenter was “active shooters”. This was a very interesting presentation and our members gave it high marks. This year the topic is “MTM is providing tools to a safe, secure, and drug-free workplace”. MTM’s own Megan Brown, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales does a great job finding outstanding speakers on hot topics. I hope you can join MTM staff and another 100 MTM members.

Until next month, enjoy the summer. — John

By Chris Demeter, Senior Loss Control Consultant

This year marks my 16th year with MTMIC as a Senior Loss Control Consultant. My prior job was a Safety Director at a prototype stamping manufacturer in Livonia and our sister pattern shop company in St. Clair Shores. I was responsible for developing safety policy, employee safety training, monitoring all health and safety incidents, and ensuring the overall safety of the workplace of over 200-employees. Every year and a half or so, I would receive a visit from a MIOSHA Compliance officer. It was not because we had above average injuries; it was because we were in a targeted industry with historically high rate of occupational injuries and illnesses. Some of those targeted industries would include press shops, forgers, foundries, platers, heat treat, and fabrication shops just to name a few. Those industries are targeted because there are greater risk factors for injury then let’s say a grocery store. The company I worked for had power presses ranging from 50-ton to 1,400-ton and we had a Kirksite foundry, hence the frequent visits. 

By Donna Motley, Vice President of Claims

Truly, it wasn’t that long ago everyone was complaining about snow, ice, cold and asking the question “Where is Spring?” As most assumed, we really didn’t have a “Spring”, instead, we went right into summer. That “sudden change” is a stressor to our bodies. Being immediately thrust into heat and humidity can take a toll on anyone. Typically, Spring gives us time to gradually acclimate to warmer weather conditions. Now that the heat has arrived we have to learn to deal with it!

Be on the lookout for the 2020 Election Ballots that will be mailed to you in the next few weeks. The nominees for re-election are:Jack Accardo – Haller InternationalKurt Heuser – Tooling Solutions GroupJoe Keppler – Shuert Industries, Inc.The results of the election will be announced at the Annual Meeting in October.

Did you know that you could be rewarded by referring business to MTMIC?

If a policyholder or their staff makes a referral they are eligible to receive a $100 gift card when the referred company binds coverage with MTMIC.

Please contact Megan Brown for more information.

We are excited to announce that we have enhanced our customer portal so that you will now have the ability to upload medical documents as a means to get them to the claims adjuster that is handling your claim. This can be done by following these simple steps:

MTM members are well acquainted with their Loss Control representative and the services they provide. MTM Loss Control focus has been the same for 44 years. Last year we conducted in excess of 950 site visits. Given that we have 921 existing members, almost all members see their Loss Control rep in person regularly.

By Ruth Kiefer, ARM, Loss Control Manager

As many of you know, we base our annual safety inspections on injury trends and MiOSHA’s most common cited violations. Last year MiOSHA issued 408 general industry health citations with the average citation being $1,708, that’s $696,911 collected in health citations with regards to general industry.

For general industry Safety violations, a total of 1.38 Million was collected and 543 citations issued. So the average citation issued in 2018 was $2,555. This year MiOSHA broke down the top violations into both Health Violations and Safety Violations. If you are unsure if you have a Health or Safety violation, please ask your Loss Control consultant for more guidance on any of these violations noted below.

Listed below are the 2018 most recent general industry HEALTH violations cited by MiOSHA:

Every weekday MTM loss control representatives work to improve the safety of our member’s shops. Sometimes that work involves safety recommendations, sometimes safety presentations, and sometimes research for a member on a new system, rule, or procedure.

At the annual MTM member’s meeting last October, we had a presentation on “Active Shooter” in the workplace. Given the headlines this topic has garnered recently, it was no surprise that the October, 2018 annual meeting had its largest member attendance in company history.

By Donna Motley, Vice President of Claims

It is that time of year again! Spring! Even though it is dark and raining outside as I write this, the calendar indicates the first day of Spring was on March 20th this year. While the weather may not seem like Spring has arrived, the school year is coming to an end. 

Senior graduation, prom and graduation parties. At this time of year, students eligible to work between the ages of 14 and 17, legally known as a “minor”, may start looking for employment. This can be a win-win situation for both the minor and the prospective employer.

The minor may only be seeking “part-time” work and the employer may only need “part-time” help. Employers in the tooling industry are looking for ways to interest young people to learn manufacturing and maybe a skilled trade. It is not uncommon for minors to work within the fast food or retail industries, however, those positions can involve evenings and weekends. Clerical positions are generally 8 to 5:00. Whatever the position available for a minor, there are certain parameters that must be followed.

Over the last month, I have delivered 152 MTM member dividend checks. As you can imagine, I have seen many interesting shops, met great people and each delivery has a story. From those visits, there were a few that I would like to share. Let me tell you about one. Mollertech, LLC.

By Donna Motley, Vice President of Claims

One of the important reasons we stress an injured worker should seek medical treatment soon after an injury is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. what may appear to be a “simple cut or laceration” may actually be diagnosed as a “nicked” or lacerated tendon. An MRI may be required for an accurate diagnosis. 

Tendons attach or connect muscle to bone, which in turn allows for movement at the joint. Tendons control your hand and fingers, wrist, elbows, feet and toes, ankles and shoulders. Tendon laceration will result in trouble in bending or straightening the (attached) body part. These injuries typically require surgery. Hands and fingers should be repaired within 48 hours to prevent scarring. Tendon adhesions can become stuck to nearby tissue, usually requiring a surgical release. Delayed treatment will result in scar tissue and the tendon retracting. Depending on the mechanism of injury, there could also be damage to the bone, nerve and/or ligament.

By Travis Halsted, Loss Control Consultant

Year after year, motor vehicle accidents are at the top of the list for causes of workplace fatalities. Whether it is delivery drivers dropping off products to customers, the sales department visiting customers, the maintenance department running for parts, or office personnel completing different errands, there are often numerous members of your company on the road. Roadway exposures often contain some of the highest number of variables, as you cannot control a great deal of the residual risks of this hazard. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were an estimated 6.3 million police-reported car accidents in the United States in 2015. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of workplace injuries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2013, motor vehicle incidents contributed to 40% of all workplace fatalities. MTMIC has had 97 motor vehicle collision claims since the 2011 policy year. These claims has resulted in an incurred sum of $1.8 million. As most companies can’t eliminate the need for the use of the roads, we need to identify where the exposures come from and how to reduce the likelihood of those motor vehicle claims.

Mark your calendars now so you do not miss our 2019 Annual Meeting! Join us October 17, 2019 at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan.

Meet Two of our Annual Meeting SpeakersDarcy Leutzinger and Lindsay Gietzen “Creating a Safety and Security Plan for your Business”