THE SYNERGY GROUP

 

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Service Philosophy

At the Synergy Group, our approach to service is simple and straightforward:

• Provide the highest quality services available anywhere in the U.S.

• Provide these services in a targeted, focused, and very cost effective manner

• Serve our clients – insurance brokers, carriers, private corporations, and public entities – with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and trust.

• Work for each client – large or small – as though the future of our company depends on delivery of top quality products to satisfied customers – because it does.

Our owners and principal consultants, Bob Schumacher and Andy Scully, have both achieved the highest levels of certification in their respective fields; Bob is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, and Andy is a Certified Safety Professional. Together they have over 50 years of experience in virtually every aspect of Risk Management and Loss Control.

We specialize in providing loss control services on an outsourced basis to a distinct client base consisting of:

• The insurance industry (including carriers, brokers, actuaries, and third party administrators)

• Private and publicly held industrial corporations, and

• Public entities (including school districts and municipalities

We provide services ranging from one-visit exposure analyses, to acting as the outsourced risk management or safety department for an insurance broker or industrial company.

Our services cover the following broad areas:

Specific Services Available

These are services typically provided by the Synergy Group through an insurance entity (carrier, broker, or TPA) for a third party client. These services include:

• Occupational Safety and Health

  • OSHA and State Agency Regulatory Compliance

  • Specialists in Development and Implementation of full-scale Occupational Safety and Health programs

  • Process Safety Management (specialists in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems)

  • Extensive Industrial Hygiene Capability

  • Ergonomics

• Environmental Hazard Evaluation

  • Initial Site Evaluations

  • Air Quality Measurements and Permitting

  • NPDES Compliance

  • Indoor Air Quality Assessment and Assistance

• Property Conservation

  • Development of objective and independent COPE information for marketing and underwriting purposes

  • Fire protection review and consultation

• Liability

  • Product

  • Auto and truck fleet

  • General

The following are examples of the specific range of capabilities available from The Synergy Group.

Exposure Analysis

The professionals at The Synergy Group will conduct a multifaceted survey of your property and casualty loss exposures. Based upon this review, we will identify the risks confronting your organization, analyze how such risks expose your company to loss, and suggest ways to mitigate your potential loss.

The report generated as a result of such a survey provides an objective tool for formulating a cost-effective risk control program.

These reports focus on all or some of the following, as necessary: fire protection, building construction, operations and occupancy, compliance with government health and safety regulations, liability and environmental exposures, common and special hazards, business interruption, emergency and contingency plans, fleet safety exposures, and worker safety.

Marketing and Underwriting Assistance

We provide service to two major client groups: 1) The Insurance Industry; 2) Directly to industrial clients and public entities.

Insurance Industry

Underwriting or Marketing Reports

We have developed both narrative and short form reports for underwriting or marketing purposes. For property exposures, these are composed of a written description of the buildings and operations, photos, occupancy and construction charts, and a diagram, if desired. Relevant information regarding fire protection, exposures, common and special hazards is included in the reports in anticipation of underwriting information needed.

We can use our extensive experience to analyze and prepare reports in a similar fashion for product liability, truck and auto fleet, industrial hygiene and environmental exposures.

We can provide written recommendations with these reports to help you establish strategic goals for minimizing exposures or hazards.

We believe that the key to our success in provision of these reports rests upon our:

• Thorough understanding of the needs of our clients and the consumers of our services

• Objectivity, and the credibility that an independent firm brings to the process

• Knowledge gained over a combined 50 years of experience in these fields

Industrial Clients and Public Entities

As a private company or public entity, your insurance company (or internal safety department) may already provide loss prevention assistance. In many cases this can be a valuable tool in controlling your exposure to accidental losses and associated costs. But the ultimate value of these services is dependent upon several variables, including:

• Experience and knowledge of the personnel

• Cost effectiveness of the advice

• The realization that there may be a conflict of interest in recommendations made by a carrier, and the best interests of your organization.

• Logical and coherent focus of these services (sometimes from many sources) on the vital goal of improving your safety results and profitability

The Synergy Group represents your interests - ethically and fairly. We will coordinate and direct the efforts of all parties towards the final goal - improvement of your safety programs and financial profitability.

We can often assist in sorting out recommendations made by a third party that while well-intentioned, may not be practical. In many cases we have been instrumental in finding cost effective alternatives that have satisfied the needs of regulatory agencies and saved our clients' thousands of dollars. The Synergy Group can review the quality of recommendations and suggest appropriate alternatives, monitor services provided and act as a "second opinion" when needed.

An exposure analysis can also be used to assist your organization in securing insurance rates that accurately reflect your commitment to risk control.

Internal Client Support

The Synergy Group will help you institute good risk control practices by conducting training seminars on numerous fire protection, environmental, safety, and health issues if needed. A program tailored to fit the particular needs of your organization will be arranged.

In cooperation with key personnel from your organization, The Synergy Group can assist in developing or revising a disaster or business contingency plan. This type of study identifies both assets and liabilities in a forthright manner to examine possible emergencies, probability of natural disasters, emergency equipment and procedures needed on-site, and business interruption exposures.

If a loss occurs, The Synergy Group can conduct incident investigations. The aim of these efforts is not to affix blame but rather to determine how and why the loss occurred, what extenuating circumstances were involved, and what steps can be taken to prevent a recurrence.

In addition to these essential services, we offer a number of highly specialized property and casualty programs.

Property Loss Control Services

The Synergy Group’s experienced personnel will provide comprehensive property consulting services to meet risk management resource requirements. Property services to our clients have been helpful in the following areas:

Property Damage Loss Estimates

Do you know what your potential maximum loss is from fire, windstorm, explosion, or similar hazards?

The Synergy Group can assist in developing potential loss estimates that help you better understand your exposures. These estimates will provide the information you need to prioritize your loss prevention efforts and risk management goals.

Fire Protection Plan Review

When you decide to construct a new building or install fire protection equipment, The Synergy Group can review applicable plans and calculations. While we are not sprinkler contractors, we can confirm that the construction or installation meets generally recognized standards and insurance requirements. Synergy Group specialists can also visit sites to ensure that construction or installation is proceeding as planned.

Casualty Loss Control Services

The Synergy Group has a broad range of experience in public entity business such as cities, counties, and school districts, colleges, and ports. We have extensive experience with industrial manufacturing, construction, food processing, transportation, petrochemical, biotech, marine, aerospace, and distribution accounts.

Casualty Loss Control Services include the following areas:

- Public Liability
- Auto/Fleet Liability
- General Liability
- Driver and Fleet Safety Programs
- Life Safety
- General Safety Programs
- Product Liability
- Accident Analysis
- Environmental Liability
- Ergonomics & Back Injury Prevention
- Contractor's Liability
- Supervisor Safety Management
- Workers' Compensation
- Drug Assessment Program

This list is industry specific and can be modified to fit an organization's requirements.

Safety Management

Do you know the total cost of risk associated with accidents and incidents at your facility? The Synergy Group can provide a comprehensive examination of your organization's operational exposures. This evaluation can reveal the strengths and weaknesses of existing safety programs, management systems, and operation controls. The Synergy Group will work with your management team to develop and implement solutions to reduce your risk. Follow-up support may also be necessary to maintain the desired results. And, of course, The Synergy Group will help provide that support.

Loss Analysis

The Synergy Group can perform an analysis of accident frequency and severity in the workplace. We can help focus your resources on the most significant problems by quickly identifying causes of loss and important trends. A systematic analysis of loss factors can be particularly helpful when multiple locations or very large facilities are involved.

Chemical Hazards Control

We specialize in the evaluation and control of hazardous materials exposures before they adversely affect employees, the public, or the environment. Services can be provided in the following areas:

• Hazard Communication Programs (Employee Right-to-Know)

• OSHA and EPA Compliance Assistance

• Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Planning (RMP)

• Environmental Risk Assessment

• Fleet EPA or RICRA Program Assessment

• Pre-Emergency Plans

Training and Education

Safe work practices are the key to the success of any loss prevention program. Job safety education and employee training have been shown to increase worker productivity. We have developed management and employee oriented safety programs for many specific industries. We have worked with companies ranging from start-up biotech firms with six employees to multi-location food processing facilities with thousands of workers. The commonality: taking the time to understand the operation and culture, and then development and implementation of a safety program that can be internalized by the client. Safety training for supervisors including video programs recorded at client facilities is often part of a new safety program.

We maintain an extensive technical resource library of the latest codes and standards. This library, developed over 25 years, aids in the development of our training programs.

We can also access other training aids including interactive online and CD-ROM programs, as well as video cassette libraries with titles addressing general worker safety orientation, fire protection, drug assessment programs, fleet safety, ergonomics, etc.

We have taught defensive driving classes and fleet management using National Safety Council materials. Seminars on various safety topics for training purposes can be developed and delivered to meet your specific time and location requirements.