Professional Safety Consulting, Inc.

Breaking News from Business Insurance
		Travelers loses comp coverage dispute
		SAN FRANCISCO--The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled against The Travelers Cos. Inc. in a coverage dispute stemming from a Tosco refinery fire that killed and injured several California workers. Travelers provided workers compensation insurance for Tosco, according to records in...
		CDHP members more cost-conscious, engaged
		Consumer-driven health plans are attracting more cost-conscious and engaged consumers, a new survey by the Washington-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield Assn. has found. The BCBSA 2008 "CDHP Member Experience Survey," which was presented Monday at the Consumer Driven Healthcare Summit in Washington,...
		U.S. jury finds Parmalat defrauded Citigroup
		HACKENSACK, N.J. (Reuters)--A U.S. jury on Monday found Parmalat S.p.A. defrauded Citigroup Inc. in a case stemming from the Italian dairy company's 2003 collapse, and awarded the bank $364.2 million in damages. The 6-1 verdict was handed down by a New Jersey state court jury after a trial...
		Berkley estimates hurricane losses at $41M
		GREENWICH, Conn.--W.R. Berkley Corp. said Monday that its third-quarter loss estimates for hurricanes Gustav, Ike and Dolly total $41 million. The Greenwich, Conn.-based insurer said several wind and hail storms that cropped up throughout the Midwest over the summer also contributed to that...
		ING sells Taiwan life unit to Fubon for $600 million
		TAIPEI, Taiwan (Reuters)--Dutch financial group ING says it will sell its Taiwan life insurance unit to Fubon Financial for $600 million, as it races to raise cash to shore up its capital and restore investor confidence. Fubon said it would issue new shares to ING, giving the Dutch firm a 5%...
Insurance Journal News and Information
		Annual Survey Lists Top 10 Ease of Doing Business P/C Insurers
		West Bend Mutual Insurance Company of Wisconsin (No. 1), Central Mutual Insurance (No. 2), Safety Insurance (No. 3), Frankenmuth Insurance (No. 4), and Selective Insurance (No. 5) earned the top five
		Markel Corp. Appoints President of Southeast Region
		Markel Corp. named John K. Latham president of its newly formed southeast region. In addition to his new role, Latham will continue to head the Office of Business Development. As president of
		AIG Environmental Enhances Pollution Legal Liability Coverage
		AIG Environmental, a unit of AIG Commercial Insurance, enhanced and expanded its Pollution Legal Liability (PLL) insurance coverage to cover risks related to indoor air quality, non-owned disposal sit
		Authorities Investigating South Carolina Home Fires as Arson
		South Carolina police say a fire that destroyed three houses and damaged two others in Rock Hill is being investigated as an arson. The fire early on the morning of Oct. 17 spread quickly from hou
		$395 Million Approved for Flood, Tornado Recovery in Iowa
		Iowa communities are getting help recovering from a series of natural disasters this year with nearly $395 million in state and federal funding. The money will go to at least 3,200 projects. The b
		Portland Firemen Say City Broke Contract
		The city of Portland has been hit with a lawsuit filed by six firefighters who say they were ordered back to work even though they were sick or injured. The lawsuit says the city broke a contract b
		The Era of Re-Regulation is Upon Us
		Although the nation's attention is focused on the financial crisis it is worth thinking about how this mess will affect attitudes toward government intervention. The July issue of The Atlantic mag
		LA Public Transit Faces Dilemma Due to AIG Demise
		Two public transportation agencies in Southern California are facing a financial dilemma and possible service cuts after a major lender fell victim to the nationwide economic crisis. Los Angeles Co
		Southern Drought Creeping Northward to West Virginia
		Extreme drought conditions, the second-worst possible, have now spread into Kentucky, and severe conditions have returned to West Virginia and southwest Virginia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor
		Insurance Commissioner Joins Industry Volunteers to Help Feed Sacramento Homeless
		California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner will join the ranks with thousands of insurance industry volunteers throughout California to provide support to community nonprofit agencies during Volu
		Farmers Insurance Opens Business Development Center in Riverside
		Farmers Insurance whas opened a new Business Development Center in Riverside, Calif. The company expects more than 250 new agents will be appointed from this facility in the next few years. The compan
		Kan. Department Steps Up Monitoring of Brooke Franchise Legal Issues
		The Kansas Insurance Department is following up on consumer inquiries and closely monitoring the legal issues surrounding Brooke Corp. and its insurance related affiliates, said Sandy Praeger, Commis
		Wells Fargo Acquires Emar Group
		San Francisco-based Wells Fargo Insurance Services, part of Wells Fargo & Co., has acquired the EMAR Group, an independently owned commercial insurance agency
		SBA: $50M Approved for Louisiana Storm Victims
		The U.S. Small Business Administration says it has approved more than $50 million in low-interest loans to Louisiana homeowners, renters and businesses that suffered damages in September 2008 hurrican
		Oswald Appoints Nudd Vice President
		Oswald Cos. has appointed Sue Nudd as vice president for the Personal Client Management department within the property and casualty division. In her new position, Nudd will be responsible for developi
TTNews.com Headlines
		Heartland Express Reports 3Q Income Improves
		Heartland Express' third-quarter profit rose to $18.7 million, or 19 cents a share, from $17.1 million, or 18 cents, a year ago.
		Leading Economic Indicators Improve in September
		An index of leading economic indicators improved in September, the New York-based Conference Board said Monday.
		Eaton Reports Higher 3Q Income; Cuts '08 Forecast
		Vehicle parts manufacturer Eaton Corp. said Monday its third-quarter net earnings rose, but the company cut its full-year forecast due to economic conditions.
		YRC Swaps Stock for Debt
		Less-than-truckload carrier YRC Worldwide issued new shares of common stock and used the issue to buy back debt in an effort to save about $600,000 a year in interest payments, Bloomberg reported Friday.
		UPS Sets 5.9% LTL Rate Hike for 2009
		UPS Inc. said Friday it has set a 5.9% rate increase for its less-than-truckload unit, UPS Freight, for 2009.
		Consumer Sentiment Index Shows Record Decline
		U.S. consumer confidence rose this month compared with August but was down slightly from a preliminary reading two weeks ago, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary monthly consumer sentiment index, released Friday.
		Housing Starts Fall to 26-Year Low
		New home construction fell to a 26-year low in September, the Commerce Department said Friday.
		Intermodal Traffic Declines for Week
		Rail and intermodal traffic declined last week compared with the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.
		Oil Falls Below $70 a Barrel
		Oil prices continued their recent downturn, falling to below $70 a barrel and marking the lowest level in more than a year as worldwide demand continued to contract in the face of economic uncertainty, news services reported.
		Opinion: The Challenges Facing Trucking
		People often ask me how it is that, as a farmer, I stumbled into trucking. I grew up involved in the day-to-day operations of my family's Indiana farm, but in 1972, I decided it was time to devote my energies to agribusiness.
		USA Truck's Third-Quarter Income Improves
		Truckload carrier USA Truck said Thursday its third-quarter profit jumped to $2.4 million, or 23 cents a share, from $16,000, or zero cents, a year ago.
FMCSA
		Cross Border Demonstration Project: List of Approved Motor Carriers

		Administrator Hill Addresses the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security

		Federal and State Law Enforcement Agencies Conduct Nationwide "Strike Force" to Improve Safety of Interstate Buses

		Find Safe Interstate Bus/Motorcoach Companies in your area

		Autobuses Rio Verde, of Irving, Texas, Ordered to Cease Operations

		FMCSA declares Liberty Charter & Tours motor coach operations affiliated with Angel Tours, Inc. and Iguala Busmex, Inc. an "imminent hazard to public safety"

		FMCSA declares Angel Tours, Inc. and Iguala Busmex, Inc. an "imminent hazard to public safety" and orders companies to cease all commercial operations

		Cross-Border Trucking Demonstration Project Extended for 2 Years; U.S. and Mexican Trucks to Continue Participation

		Assistant Administrator and Chief Safety Officer Rose A. McMurray Speaks before The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastucture

		FMCSA Continues to Protect Consumers by Cracking Down on Rogue Interstate Moving Companies

		DOT Action Plan to Reduce Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Collisions and Fatalities

		FMCSA Announces Commercial Vehicle Driver Safety Training Grants

		Chief Counsel Suzanne M. Te Beau Speaks Before House Committee on Highways and Transit

		2006 Annual Motor Carrier Efficiency Study Report to Congress

		Oklahoma's Sara O'Dell Wins 2008 "Be Ready. Be Buckled." National Poster Contest

		U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters Releases New Data Showing Seat Belt Usage Among Truck Drivers Hits Record Level

		Fiscal Year 2009 Budget

		Wireless Roadside Inspection Program Market Research Information Session Scheduled for 1/17-18

		Tornado Bus Declared an "Imminent Hazard to Public Safety" and Ordered to Cease All Commercial Operations

		FMCSA Proposes Rule with Mandatory Training Requirements for Commercial Driver's License Applicants

		Administrator John Hill Speaks Before The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation SubCommittee on Surface Transportation

		FMCSA Strategic Plan 2006-2011

		FMCSA Trifold Brochure

		Safety Rules Reinforced for Trucks Participating in the Cross-Border Demonstration Project

		Administrator John Hill Speaks Before House Committee on Highways and Transit

		Encourage Increased Safety Belt Use Among Truckers

		Real-Time Tracking for Mexican and U.S. Trucks Participating in the Cross-Border Demonstration

		Third Mexican Trucking Company Cleared for Cross-Border Trucking Demonstration

		Second U.S. and Mexican Trucking Companies Cleared for Cross-Border Demonstration

		First U.S. Truck Crosses Border Into Mexico

		FMCSA Launches Portal to Four Key Safety Systems

		U.S. & Mexican Trucking Companies Cleared to Operate Beyond the Border

		Safety is Good Business--Crashes Hurt Your Bottom Line

		Administrator Hill Speaks Before House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

		Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report as of March 31, 2007

		FMCSA Administrator Discusses the Proposed Use of Electronic On-Board Recorders and the Positive Impact on Safety

		U.S., Mexican Trucks Will Begin Cross-Border Demonstration Program at Same Time

		Demonstration Project on NAFTA Trucking Provisions

		Administrator Hill's Testimony Describes FMCSA's Efforts to Make the Nation's Highways Safer

		Administrator Hill Presents FMCSA's Budget Priorities to House Subcommittee on Transportation

		FMCSA Administrator Discusses Agency's Motorcoach Operations Oversight with House Subcommittee

		John Hill, Jeffrey Shane Describe NAFTA Trucking Provision Implementation Efforts to House Subcommittee

		DOT Secretary Peters and FMCSA Administrator Hill Present Senate Testimony Regarding the NAFTA Demonstration Project

		Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report as of December 31, 2006

		Cross Border Truck Safety Inspection Program

		Video of Administrator John Hill's Remarks About the FY08 Budget Request

		FY08 Budget Request Information

		Proposed Rule Requires Electronic On-board Recorders for Serious HOS Violators and Offers Incentives to Encourage Voluntary Use

		Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report Updated

		FMCSA Seeks CMV Physical Examiners for Survey

		FMCSA Fines Fung Wah Bus Company for Violating Federal Safety Regulations

		Product Guides for CMV Safety and Security Systems Technology

		FMCSA Conceptualizes New Operational Model Through CSA 2010

		Next Public Listening Session for CSA 2010 Slated for November 16

		FMCSA Issues Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Guidance

		Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report Updated

		ADA Guidelines for Over-the-Road Bus Companies

		Medical Review Board Web Site Launched

		Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report as of June 30, 2006

		FMCSA Laptop Computer Stolen from Government Vehicle in Baltimore

		First Medical Review Board Meeting Scheduled for August 31

		Grant Deadline Extended to August 24 for UCR Board Administrative Support

		Third Meeting of the UCR Board of Directors Scheduled in Chicago on August 22-23

		Grant Available to Provide Admin Support to UCR Board of Directors; Apply by August 14

		Large Truck Crash Causation Study

		Grant Proposal for CMV Operator Safety Training Due by July 24

		Second Meeting of the UCR Board of Directors Scheduled in Chicago on July 13-14

		Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Visor Card (PDF)

		Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report as of March 31, 2006

		First Meeting for the Unified Carrier Registration Board of Directors Scheduled for June 13

		New Deputy Administrator Announced at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

		New Study Concludes Driver Behavior Causes Most Truck Crashes

		Report to Congress on the Large Truck Crash Causation Study

		DOT Medical Certificate Instructions Updated



		Executive Summary of 2005 Shoulder Belt Usage by

		Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report

		Untethered Trailer Tracking and Control System

		Agency to Host Capabilities Meeting in February to Prep for Upcoming Study