AUSTIN—The Texas Department
of Insurance, Division of Workers’
Compensation (TDI-DWC) and the
Occupational Safety and Health Ad-
ministration (OSHA) recently rec-
ognized Dawson Geophysical Co. of
Midland for its outstanding safety pro-
gram by presenting the company with
the Safety and Health Achievement
Recognition Program (SHARP) award.
Look SHARP, Be SHARP The SHARP award recognizes small, private sector Texas employers for exemplary safety management programs and low incidence rates of work-related injuries and illnesses after participation in the TDI-DWC Occupational safety and Health Consultation ( OSHCON) program.
Dawson Geophysical Company employs 65 people at the Midland location and acquires and analyzes 3-D seismic data to identify oil and natural gas reservoirs. In addition to the recognition, Dawson Geophysical Company has been granted a one-year exemption from programmed OSHA inspections.
AUSTIN—Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) reports more than $410 million in combined property and casualty premiums and more than $53 million in revenue for 2009. Texas-based CAA, a managing general agency, expanded into Oklahoma and Kansas in 2009, and says it plans to further spread out across the country “to strengthen the independent insurance agency system through profitable growth and exceptional service for its member agencies.” “To grow from approximately $375 million in 2008 to over $410 million in 2009 during an uncertain economy is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the benefits of CAA membership,” said Bill Bridges, CIC, CAA chairman and executive vice-president of Duncan, Fraser & Bridges in Pampa, Texas. “Alongside premium growth, CAA experienced rapid member growth with the addition of seven new agencies in 2009. Our members are looking forward to another year of exceptional growth in 2010.”
OSHCON is a free service designed to help employers understand and comply with OSHA standards through safety inspections conducted by TDI-DWC’s professional consultants. Benefits for employers participating in the OSHCON program include prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses; confirmation to their employees and customers of their commitment to safety; public acknowledgement of their safety efforts; monetary savings to the company by reducing workers’ compensation costs and other costs associated with work-related injuries and illnesses; and protection of company assets such as employees, equipment, supplies, products, and facilities.
Founded in 1997, Combined Agents of America LLC is based in Austin, Texas, and is comprised of 44 independent insurance agencies located throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. By funneling the agencies’ combined premiums, CAA brings larger volume commitments to insurance companies, while empowering members to realize greater benefits from insurance companies, vendor discounts, and other incentives.
CAA member agencies include Aars & Nelson Insurance Agency, Barnard Insurance Agency, Bartlett, Bag-gett & Shands, Benchmark Insurance Group, Benton-Luttrell-Brown Company, Bigham-Kliewer-Chap-man-Watts Insurance Agency, BRIA Insurance & Risk Consultants, Bridges Group Inc., Bosworth & Associates, Bryan Insurance Agency Ltd., Brownrigg Insurance Agency Inc., Cravens-Warren & Co., Crockett Insurance Service, Duncan-Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency Inc., Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Ed Weeren Insurance Agency Inc., EFGI Insurance & Bonds LCC, Ev-ans-Ewan & Brady Insurance Agency Inc., First Insurance Services, First Texas Insurance Services LC, Henry Norris Insurance Agency, Inc., Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc., GBS Insurance Agency Inc., Grona Boles Martin & Bloxsom Insurance, Hill County Insurance Agency, Insurance Associates of Texas, Insurance Net Inc., JHC Insurance Agency Inc., J. S. Edwards & Sherlock Insurance Agency, Lake Insurance Agency, Inc., McCorkle Commercial Insurance Agency, Mims & Smith, Mr. Insurance Agency, Inc., Pierson-Fendley Insurance, Pinnacle Insurance Group Inc., Porter Insurance Agency Inc., Purifoy & Company, The Shropshire Agency Inc., Siegeler Insurance Agency, Inc., Walthall-Sachse & Pipes, Inc., The Weatherby-Eisen-rich Inc., Wellmann Insurance Agency, Inc., Western Insurance Agency, and Whorton Insurance Services.
Employers receiving consultation ser-
vices from the OSHCON program
may be eligible for SHARP status if
they have
• fewer than 250 employees at a
worksite and fewer than 500 em-
ployees corporate-wide;
•;have;operations;limited;to;a;fixed worksite;
• undergo a full-service OSHCON consultation;
•;involve;employees;in;the;consulta-tion process;
•;correct;all;hazards;identified;by;the
consultation; and
• have days away restricted time
(DART) and total case rate (TCR)
injury and illness incidence rates
below the national average for their
industries.
14 MARCH 11, 2010 • THE INSURANCE RECORD
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