Cavalcade of Risk, dereriorating market, breast cancer, labor unions, and more

September 10th, 2009 by Julie Ferguson

Cavalcade of Risk #87 is brought to you from the land down under – Andrew of Australia’s OzRisk is this week’s host – check it out!
Deterioration in Work Comp market – In his blog Comp Time, Roberto Ceniceros discusses a grim recent A.M. Best report pointing to deteriorating conditions in the workers comp industry. “According to Best’s composite, consisting of 103 insurers, net premiums written plunged 30% from a high of $20.9 billion in 2004. Insurers also experienced underwriting losses of $1.2 billion in 2007 and $1.5 billion in 2008. Best expects challenging conditions for insurers to continue well into 2010.” Ceniceros also cites other recent reports and economic indicators in his post. Related: Joe Paduda of Managed Care Matters offers his thoughts on the workers comp industry’s fading fortunes. He notes a few positives in the offing: some brokers and agents are expecting the pricing war to taper off, investment returns look to be recovering somewhat, and health reform might relieve cost-shifting.
NIOSH – HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced that John Howard, M.D. has been named new Director of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Dr. Howard served as NIOSH director from 2002 through 2008. He also served as coordinator of HHS’ World Trade Center Health Programs from 2006 to 2008. Laura Walter of EHS Today talks about the ASSE and AIHA favorable reaction to Howard’s reappointment.
Night shift work linked to breast cancer – The BBC reports that the Danish government has begun paying compensation to women who have developed breast cancer after long spells working nights. Authorities acted in response to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the UN’s World Health Organisation. The IARC, which studies and ranks cancer risks, ranks night shift work just below asbestos as a probable cause of cancer. This ranking was based on various studies and reports linking cancer to night shift work hours, including a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute which showed a 36% greater risk of breast cancer for women who had worked night shifts for more than 30 years, compared with women who had never worked nights.
Labor unions and the economy – In response to a recent Gallup poll on labor unions showing support at an all time low, Paul Secunda of Workplace Prog Blog and some of his readers offer thoughts on why a rise in unemployment correlates negatively with support for unions.
Health & Safety Briefs

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