Elliott, Powell Baden, and Baker is pleased to offer support to one of our long standing nonprofit partners Blanchet House, as a sponsor for their Lend A Helping Hand Brunch. This fundraising event will be held on March 5, 2023 at The Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland from 10 am-12:30 pm.
Blanchet House is on a mission to alleviate suffering and offer hope for a better life by providing essential aid with dignity. They are on the front lines, working to provide pathways out of homelessness and addiction by offering aid and tools for self-sufficiency, providing clothing, hygiene items, community and transitional recovery programs to thousands of people in downtown Portland and at a farm in Yamhill County.
“It is a core value at EPB&B to support local non-profits who provide help and hope to those in our community who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Blanchet House is a perfect example of this,” explains EPB&B president Marc Baker. “ The essential services they provide make a significant positive impact for so many and we are happy to support their mission.”
We hope to see you on March 5, 2023 for food, fun and fundraising for this wonderful organization.
From L to R: EPB&B Producer, Frank Baccellieri; Blanchet Executive Director, Scott Kerman; Blanchet Director of Strategic Initiatives, Kristi South; Blanchet Development Manager, Meg Stark; EPB&B President Marc Baker
01/25/23
Attention Employers: Post Your OSHA Summary By February 1, 2023
Now is the time is the time to post your Oregon OSHA 300A summary.
Oregon OSHA requires employers to post the OSHA 300A summary form (for the calendar year 2022 ) regarding occupational injuries and illnesses by February 1, 2023 and keep it posted through April 30th.
The OSHA 300A Summary is the annual summary of injuries and illnesses recorded on your OSHA 300 Log. Review the OSHA 300 Log to verify that the entries are accurate and to correct deficiencies. The OSHA 300A Summary must be certified (signed and dated) by a company executive. A designated representative can certify the
Each year you must post a copy of each establishment’s OSHA 300A Summary in a conspicuous place. The summary must be posted at the establishment where the injuries or illnesses occurred. In cases where the employees are mobile, the OSHA 300A Summary may be posted at a location where employees regularly report to work.
Which work-related injuries and illnesses should you record? According to Oregon OSHA you must record work-related injuries and illnesses resulting in one the following:
• Death
• Loss of consciousness
• Days away from work
• Restricted work activity or job transfer
• Medical treatment beyond first aid Record any significant work-related injury or illness that is diagnosed by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional. You must record any work-related case involving cancer, chronic irreversible disease, a fractured or cracked bone, or a punctured eardrum. See OAR 437- 001-0700(8).
Please note: Do not post your OSHA 300 Log, which contains names, make sure it is the summary.
HERE is the full summary on the what when and hows of recording and posting in accordance to Oregon OSHA Requirements
Please be on alert that password management app LastPass and cyber security company NortonLifeLock have been compromised. Between the two, they may store a list of your usernames and passwords to multiple accounts. Be aware that access to any of those credentials may allow a cyber-criminal to spread the attack out to other accounts and applications that you use gaining access to sensitive data, or gaining control over bank accounts or other important services.
If you have accounts with either company, and to ensure added protection on other sites you use, the following steps are strongly advised:
Immediately change your passwords to both NortonLifeLock, LastPass, and to any account that you had stored with either service.
Use Complex Passwords. Use both lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. 8-12 characters or over is recommended.
Change your passwords regularly – Do this at least once every few months.
Never use the same password for multiple accounts – Through credential stuffing, hackers use stolen passwords on different services, hoping to find duplications. Norton claims this is what happened in this breach.
Where available, always use two-factor authentication (2FA) – This additional security measure makes it difficult for hackers to break into accounts without the security code sent to your phone or an authentication app. Tap or click here for more details on 2FA.
Act immediately If you suspect you have fallen victim to a cyber breach. For more information on how to protect yourself contact EPB&B’s cyber professional Justine Avera at javera@epbb.com or 503-445-8402
01/16/23
Tips To Avoid The Aches And Pains Of Working At A Desk
You don’t move furniture or build houses for a living, so why does your body feel achy and sore day after day? For office workers, the culprit may be too much sitting. One in four American adults sits for longer than eight hours every day, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Americans sit for about 11 hours daily, much of this time at the office desk. Surprisingly, sitting for too long may have you seeking out the nearest chiropractor or massage therapist for relief.
Without the proper support and tools, sitting at your desk conducting everyday tasks can cause significant discomfort leading to long-term problems. Here are some common areas of the body affected by office work and tips on how to address them:
Wrist Pain. If you feel pain or achiness around your palm or wrist, including pain radiating up your forearm or tingling in your fingers, it could be how you are holding your body while using your mouse or keyboard. Consider: Lowering your workstation and switching to an ergonomic keyboard.
Shoulder Pain: Slouching, forward head tilt, and cradling the phone receiver are all culprits that cause pain in the should area. Consider: once again, raising your workstation to avoid slouching and using a headset to help alleviate the strain on your neck and shoulder area.
Lower Back Pain. Discomfort and pain in the lower back can disrupt the quality of your life, both inside the office and outside. If you are experiencing pain or have shooting pain down your legs, it is most likely due to sitting too long at one time. The muscles of the legs and hips are the main muscled used when you sit, and when you sit for too long, you overstretch and strain these muscles, which may cause them to become tight and short and cause problems for your hip joints and back. Consider: Taking a two-minute stretch break once an hour and switching to a chair that provides you sufficient lumbar support.
One of the most effective things people who work in an office environment can do to keep their bodies pain-free is to move. In addition, to stretch breaks every hour, more and more employers are offering standing desks and encouraging “walking meetings” throughout the day to discuss business-related issues.
And for those of you who work from home, it may be time to rethink your home office. It is easy when working from home to take your laptop to the couch or the kitchen table, which is not conducive to proper posture and alignment. Consider setting up a workstation that utilizes ergonomically designed desks and tools for proper alignment.
With more and more emphasis on employee health and well-being, employers are much more open to rethinking workplace design and culture and encouraging their employees and co-workers to sit less and move more throughout the day.
Is your company a policyholder with SAIF, Oregons’ Nonprofit Workers Compensation Carrier? If so, you have access to their free online assessment tool free online tool that can help your employees set up their workstations. Contact EPB&B for Oregon Worker’s Compensation plans and ideas and to keep your business and employees safe and healthy.
Get moving while you work and consider taking your office meetings on a walk. Your body and brain (and even your boss) will thank you.
01/09/23
Resolve To Review Your Personal Insurance In 2023. Here Is Why.
Like many Americans, cleaning up your diet or finding your dream job might be at the top of your resolutions list in 2023, but when setting goals, don’t forget about your insurance. Many life events can change in a year and it is easy to go on autopilot when it comes to renewal time. But a simple policy review can protect you and your family should the new year bring big chances or an unexpected occurrence.
Be Ready For the Road. One of the biggest mistakes someone can make regarding auto insurance is being underinsured. Though most states require a minimum for liability insurance, in Oregon it is $25,000 of coverage per person/$50,000 per accident, many accidents cost far more. While price is important so is making sure you are covered properly. Take a look at your policy and make sure your coverages are high enough to protect you in case of an accident.
Homeowner’s Makeover. Did you remodel your kitchen this past year? With he world opening up and more people visiting one another, maybe you finally finished that long-awaited additional bathroom. Upgrades and additions can increase the value of your home so if you gave your home a makeover, chances are your homeowner’s insurance coverages need one as well.
Don’t Forget An Umbrella. Let’s say your protective pup bites the delivery person, or an exuberant child tumbles off your trampoline during a playdate. Unexpected things can happen and often times those accidents will exceed your current insurance coverage. Consider adding umbrella policy if you:
Drive a car/own a home
Own a dog
Have a swimming pool or trampoline
Coach Youth Sports
Travel.
Think of an Umbrella policy as a safety net protecting you and the things you cherish.
Navigating insurance coverages can be tricky, but the experienced team at EPB&B can help review your homeowners and auto insurance coverages and find the right fit for you, making this resolution an easy one to keep in 2023.
In Oregon, it is illegal to drive without liability coverage. See ORS 806.010.
The minimum insurance a driver must have is:
Bodily injury and property damage liability
$25,000 per person;
$50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others; and
$20,000 per crash for damage to others’ property.
Personal injury protection
$15,000 per person.
Uninsured motorist
$25,000 per person; and
$50,000 per crash for bodily injury.
Contact Us to make sure your insurance has you covered.
01/03/23
Online Shopping: Don’t Fall Victim To Social Media Scammers
It is impossible to scroll through your social media feed without being hit with eye-catching ads for the latest trends. It is tempting to get sidetracked and click on the site promising perfect hair, better sleep, or healthier meals and yes, even insurance ). Social media is a great way for legitimate businesses to get their name and product out there, but it is also a breeding ground for scammers. In fact according to the Better Business Bureau, online purchases were the number one reported scam in 2023.
So how do you know if what you see in your feed is legit? Look for these red flags.
Too Good To Be True. If the item you see is a significantly better deal than what you notice on other sites or in the stores, beware. Chances are the goods are a knockoff of an original product, and the item you receive (if you receive one at all) may not only be cheaply made but, in some cases, unsafe.
Can’t Charge It. If a seller will not accept a credit card or secure online payment such as Paypal and insists on wire transfers or vouchers, scroll on past. Legitimate and established businesses will allow a secure form of payment which offers you the most protection against loss.
Spell Check. A flashy ad on social media can catch your attention, but slow down and read carefully. Are there misspelled words and grammatical errors? This is a telltale sign of an illegitimate company selling counterfeit product.
Free, Free, Free. Beware of free prizes, giveaways, and sweepstakes that make you eligible only if you “act now.” Scammers rely on getting a buyer caught up in the excitement and sending money before having time to research the “deal.”
If you sees omething you really want, take the time to research before you buy. Here are some additional tips from the Better Business Bureau.
Remember the adage: If a price is too good to be true, it probably is.
Treat a social media or email ad with suspicion until you have investigated the company behind it.
Even with due diligence, you may find yourself victim of an online scam. If you were overcharged for an item, did not receive the item or if you notice items on your statement you did not approve. Here is what you can do.
File a complaint. If you made the purchase in a marketplace, such as eBay or Amazon, file a complaint. Most of the online marketplaces are reputable, so they’ll help you to investigate the culprit and retrieve your stolen money or receive the product accordingly.
Call your bank or credit card company immediately. Your bank can put a hold on your account, your debit card, and any checks. Your credit card company can freeze your card. Many finance companies also offer fraud protection, which covers certain charges made without your consent, but you have to report the errors promptly.
File a Police Report. Your bank or credit card company will likely need a copy of the police report. In some instances, your bank and/or credit card agency will request a copy of the police report you’ve filed. So don’t wait. Call your local police immediately with the non-emergency number, not 9-1-1, and report the case to the computer-related crimes division.
Don’t let scammers ruin your shopping fun. A little time and research can keep you and your money protected.
If you are a business owner, make sure you are protected from cyber fraud. Contact EPB&B cyber security professional, Justine Avera, javera@epbb.com to ensure your policy has you covered.
