2 min read

Hazard Communication Refresher Training: Reinforcing Chemical Safety and Reducing Risk

By Unison Risk Advisors on Jun 29, 2026 12:50:37 PM

Written by Stacey Markel, CHCM, CHSP, HEM

Hazard Communication (HazCom) programs are a core component of workplace safety, but their long-term effectiveness depends on ongoing reinforcement. Refresher training helps employees retain essential knowledge, adapt to operational changes and consistently apply safe practices when working with hazardous chemicals.

Why HazCom Refresher Training Matters

Under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard(29 CFR 1910.1200), employers are required to provide training at initial assignment and when new hazards are introduced. As workplace risk continues to evolve, training programs should evolve with it.

Over time, employees may forget procedures, develop shortcuts or become less attentive to hazards. Consistent, practical and workplace-specific training helps reinforce safe behaviors, strengthen safety culture and reduce chemical exposure risk.

Key benefits include:

  • Reinforcing core principles such as labeling, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) use and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) selection
  • Improving hazard recognition, especially when new chemicals or processes are introduced
  • Identifying and correcting unsafe behaviors before they lead to incidents
  • Supporting loss control efforts by reducing claim frequency and severity

When to Provide HazCom Refresher Training

Organizations that establish a defined refresher schedule are generally more effective in maintaining compliance and managing exposure.

A structured approach may include:

  • Annual refresher training for most workplaces
  • More frequent training in higher-risk environments, including manufacturing and healthcare

In addition, certain events should prompt immediate refresher training:

  • Introduction of new chemicals or operational processes
  • Near-miss incidents or emerging claim trends related to chemical exposure
  • Updates to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or labeling requirements
  • Audit findings or regulatory inspections that identify gaps

Building More Effective HazCom Refreshers

Effective refresher training focuses on practical application, engagement and relevance to daily operations.

  • SDS and Label Review: Reinforce how to locate hazard classifications, first aid measures and PPE requirements
  • Real-World Examples: Use internal incidents or industry case studies to highlight potential outcomes and connect training directly to workplace exposures
  • Interactive Learning: Incorporate quizzes, group discussions or demonstrations to improve retention and encourage active participation
  • Workplace-Specific Content: Focus on actual chemical inventory and processes to ensure training reflects day-to-day operations

Common Gaps in HazCom Programs

Risk assessments often reveal recurring hazard communication challenges:

  • Difficulty interpreting Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information
  • Inconsistent labeling practices
  • Overreliance on one-time onboarding training
  • Limited documentation of training completion

Addressing these gaps through structured refresher training helps strengthen compliance and reduce exposure.

Evaluating Your HazCom Approach

As organizations evaluate their Hazard Communication programs, refresher training should align with current operations, exposures and overall risk profile. Our Risk Consulting team can help assess training gaps, identify improvement opportunities and support a more proactive approach to chemical safety.Contact us to learn more.

Topics: Commercial Risk Management Unison Risk Advisors
2 min read

Protecting Your Online Presence: Practical Steps to Reduce Personal Cyber Risk

By Unison Risk Advisors on Jun 25, 2026 11:31:34 AM

Cyber risk is no longer just a business concern. Individuals and families are frequent targets for account takeovers, identity theft, wire fraud and social engineering scams. We encourage clients to think about personal cybersecurity as part of everyday risk management, not a one-time task.

Start With the Accounts That Matter Most

A few simple habits can go a long way. Using a password manager, turning on multi-factor authentication and adopting passkeys where available can make it harder for criminals to access your accounts. Your primary email account deserves extra attention because it is often the path to password resets and financial activity.

Reduce Exposure Across Identity, Devices and Home Technology

Identity protection matters just as much as login security. Freezing your credit with the three major bureaus can help limit fraudulent account openings. The guide also recommends requesting an IRS Identity Protection PIN, turning on bank and card alerts and considering credit protection for children, whose identities can be misused for years before anyone notices.

Your devices and home network also play a major role in personal cyber risk. Automatic software updates, device encryption, screen locks and find-my-device settings can help reduce exposure if a device is lost, stolen or targeted. At home, changing the router’s default administrator password, using strong Wi-Fi encryption and separating smart devices onto a guest network can help limit avoidable vulnerabilities.

Slow Down Urgent Requests and Build a Response Plan

Many costly cyber incidents start with pressure, not technology. Unexpected requests for money, wiring changes or account credentials should be verified through a known phone number or website, not the contact information included in the message. Families may also want to set a code word for emergencies to help identify impersonation or voice-cloning scams.

Preparation matters after an incident, too. Backups remain important for photos, tax records and other irreplaceable files. If a breach affects you, changing passwords quickly, contacting financial institutions and documenting what happened can make the response more manageable.

A Practical Place to Start

You do not need to do everything at once. Start with your email account, financial logins, credit freezes, device updates and transaction alerts. Those steps can create a stronger foundation and make the rest of the checklist easier to work through over time.

Click here to view the full checklistand download the PDFwith all eight steps and detailed action items.

Even with the right precautions, cyber incidents can happen. Personal cyber insurance can help protect your finances, identity, and peace of mind.

Reach out to your advisor to learn more or review your current coverage or view ourCyber Risk page.

Note: This communication is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to offer legal, tax, or client-specific risk management advice. Information in this communication is not meant to describe specific coverages that may be advisable or available to you or your company, or to interpret specific coverages that may already be in place. General insurance descriptions in this communication do not include complete insurance policy definitions, terms, and/or conditions, and should not be relied on for coverage interpretation. Actual insurance policies must always be consulted for full coverage details and analysis. View our privacy notice.

Topics: Personal Insurance & Risk Management Private Client Group Unison Risk Advisors Cyber
3 min read

National Safety Month: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

By Gibson on Jun 22, 2026 8:15:00 AM

As National Safety Month comes to a close, the final week focuses on one of the most common—and most preventable—workplace risks: slips, trips and falls.

Topics: Personal Insurance & Risk Management Commercial Risk Management Risk Management Services Unison Risk Advisors
4 min read

National Safety Month: The Future of Workplace Safety is Holistic

By Gibson on Jun 15, 2026 10:08:35 AM

When we think about workplace safety, it’s easy to picture hard hats, guardrails, and compliance checklists. But safety has expanded.

Topics: Personal Insurance & Risk Management Commercial Risk Management Risk Management Services Unison Risk Advisors
3 min read

Why Overlooked Personal Risks Can Disrupt Long-Term Financial Plans

By Unison Risk Advisors on Jun 4, 2026 3:46:17 PM

Market volatility often dominates conversations about wealth. Yet recent financial commentary suggests that everyday personal risk may pose a more immediate and lasting threat. A widely shared analysis highlighted how uninsured or underinsured events, such as liability claims or property losses, can disrupt financial plans far more quickly than market fluctuations.

Topics: Personal Insurance & Risk Management Private Client Group Unison Risk Advisors
4 min read

Creating Inclusive Family Planning Pathways for a Modern Workforce

By Unison Risk Advisors on Jun 3, 2026 3:31:08 PM

The workforce is constantly evolving, and so are employees’ needs and expectations, especially when it comes to their benefits. A one-size-fits-all approach is no longer enough. Today’s employees want benefits that make a real difference in their lives.

Topics: Risk Management Employee Benefits Small Employee Benefits Group Unison Risk Advisors
2 min read

Forklift Safety: Closing Gaps Before Incidents Happen

By Unison Risk Advisors on Jun 3, 2026 3:05:39 PM

Written by Stacey Markel, CHCM, CHSP, HEM

Topics: Risk Management Construction Commercial Risk Management Unison Risk Advisors
4 min read

Cybersecurity Threats Family Offices Can't Ignore

By Unison Risk Advisors on Jun 3, 2026 2:53:00 PM

Cybersecurity is often framed as a technology issue. For family offices, it is something more personal. A cyber incident can affect finances, privacy, reputation and in some cases, physical safety.

Family offices sit at the intersection of wealth, discretion and information. They manage sensitive financial records, governance documents, personal identifiers, travel details and access to liquid capital. Many do so with lean teams and informal processes. That combination can make family offices appealing targets for cybercriminals.

The most significant cyber threats facing family offices today are not theoretical. They are practical, persistent and increasingly designed around how families live and operate.

Cybercriminals Target People, Not Just Systems

Unlike large institutions, family offices are rarely hit by broad, indiscriminate attacks. Instead, they are often targeted through social engineering, phishing and impersonation schemes that exploit trust.

Emails that appear to come from a family principal, executive assistant, or trusted advisor can prompt wire transfers, credential changes or the sharing of sensitive documents. In many cases, attackers observe communication patterns for weeks before acting. The success of these attacks has less to do with technical sophistication and more to do with human behavior.

For family offices, cyber risk often begins at the personal level through a phone call, a convincing email or a sense of urgency.

Concentrated Information Increases the Stakes

Family offices hold an extraordinary amount of information in one place. This often includes net worth statements, trust and estate documents, insurance schedules, legal agreements, medical details, travel itineraries and home addresses.

Unlike corporate data, this information is deeply personal and difficult to replace once exposed. A single breach can trigger identity theft, extortion attempts, reputational harm, legal exposure and long‑term privacy loss. For families with public profiles or operating businesses, stolen data can also be misused to support physical security threats or targeted litigation.

The risk is not just data loss. It is the loss of control over information that defines a family’s financial and personal life.

Informal Processes Create Hidden Vulnerabilities

Many family offices value flexibility and efficiency. Unfortunately, informality can also introduce cyber vulnerabilities.

Shared passwords, unsecured personal devices, limited access controls and undocumented procedures are common, particularly in smaller or growing offices. When a small group manages everything from bill pay to travel to investments, personal and professional systems can blur quickly.

Cyber incidents often occur not because risk is ignored, but because infrastructure has not kept pace with complexity.

Third‑Party Access Is a Common Entry Point

Family offices rarely operate in isolation. Attorneys, accountants, investment managers, concierge services, household staff and technology vendors often have access to sensitive information or systems.

Each additional relationship expands the attack surface. A breach does not need to originate inside the family office to cause damage. It can begin with a vendor or advisor whose security controls were never fully reviewed. Once inside, attackers may move laterally toward higher‑value targets.

Cyber resilience is often influenced by the weakest external connection.

Cyber Incidents Can Become Financial Events Quickly

Cyber events are often discussed as privacy concerns, but for family offices they can escalate into material financial events.

Unauthorized transfers, ransomware demands, fraudulent disbursements and recovery costs can add up quickly. Families may also face expenses related to forensic investigations, legal counsel, public relations support and credit monitoring. In some cases, incidents expose gaps or misunderstandings within insurance programs families assumed would respond.

Without planning, cyber risk can move from inconvenience to capital impairment with little warning.

Insurance Is an Important, but Often Misunderstood, Backstop

Many families assume cyber risk is addressed somewhere in their insurance program. Often, it is not or not in the way they expect.

Personal lines, excess liability, homeowners and business policies may address portions of cyber exposure, but coverage is frequently fragmented. Policy triggers, sublimits, exclusions and differences between personal and commercial cyber policies can leave families exposed during a loss.

At Unison, we see value in reviewing cyber insurance as part of a broader personal risk conversation rather than relying on assumptions. Aligning coverage with a family’s digital footprint, lifestyle exposure and operational structure can help clarify how risk transfer fits into the overall picture.

Cybersecurity as Personal Risk Management

Resilient family offices tend to share a common mindset. They treat cybersecurity as a component of personal risk management, alongside insurance, privacy, liability, governance and continuity planning.

Access is intentionally limited. Information sharing is deliberate. Roles are defined in advance. Insurance programs are reviewed regularly. Responsibility is clear before an incident occurs, not during one.

This approach does not remove risk, but it helps preserve options and control when something goes wrong.

Final Thought: Cyber Risk Is a Family Risk

Cyber incidents rarely stay contained. They can affect spouses, children, family businesses, reputations and long‑standing relationships. For family offices, cybersecurity is not about technology alone. It is about protecting people, privacy and long‑term stability.

Families that acknowledge this reality and plan accordingly are better positioned to navigate an increasingly digital and increasingly adversarial environment.

Topics: Risk Management Unison Risk Advisors Cyber
3 min read

Controlling Employee Benefits Costs with Captive Insurance

By Unison Risk Advisors on May 27, 2026 1:15:00 PM

When employee benefits costs keep climbing, it’s hard for employers to feel in control. Rising medical costs, more high-cost claims, and the growing use of specialty drugs gene therapies all hit the bottom line, leaving many employers feeling like they are just watching the numbers go up.

Topics: Employee Benefits Small Employee Benefits Group Unison Risk Advisors
3 min read

Health Insurance and Plan Choices are Key to Retention

By Unison Risk Advisors on May 22, 2026 1:36:58 PM

Employee benefits have become a key part of the hiring and retention of employees in today’s hiring market. There is increased stress on compensation as demand for higher salaries and pay rates come from potential hires and the existing workforce.

An employer’s willingness to put the time and effort into their employee’s benefits outside of wages may make the difference. At a high level, total compensation and employee benefits includes, but is not limited to, health insurance, wellness programs, life insurance, and retirement or defined benefit plans.

Health Insurance

Health insurance can provide employees compensation in the form of reducing out of pocket exposure when it comes to their healthcare needs and access to providers.

Health insurance typically accounts for one of the largest Profit & Loss (P&L) expenses for an employer outside of payroll. Typically, there is a cost share for this expense (the insurance premium) between the employees and the employer. Benchmark data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) stated that in 2025, the average employer share of this expense was 75%, leaving the employees with 25% percent of the premium responsibility deducted out of their payroll. Companies could argue that they are essentially compensating their employees by covering a larger percentage of their health benefits premium on top of what they pay them through payroll.

As companies have found it more difficult to create higher payroll, some have decided to take on more of the premium burden, leaving employees with more payroll to spend on other things such as living expenses. However, health insurance premiums have gone up significantly – raising more than seven percent on average.

These renewal increases are driven by a couple primary factors. Among the biggest is the rising cost of prescription drugs overall, the increasing popularity of GLP-1 drugs, and expensive gene and cellular therapies, according to HRExecutive.com.

PPO Vs. HSA Plans – Your Choices May Impact Employee Retention

The receipt of such unfavorable increases has driven companies to reconsider the plans they provide to their employees. Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) plans offer broader network, copays for doctor’s visits (primary care), as well as specialists covered under the network and prescriptions. Health Savings Account (HSA) plans are high-deductible health plans (HDHP: exceeding $1,400 for individual deductible and $2,800 in family deductible) and require the user to cover the deductible expense out of pocket before the plan contributes to the medical expenses at a coinsurance. PPO plans typically charge higher premiums but require less out of pocket expenses because of their copay structure. HSA plans typically charge less premium but require more of an up-front, out-of-pocket expense to reach the deductible limit. Additionally, they offer the user a pre-tax way to put aside money for qualified medical expenses, defined by the plan.

When faced with such material increases, companies look to transition to plans with cheaper premiums – i.e. higher deductibles, smaller networks (i.e. HMO, EPO, etc.) – and migrate their employees to plans that may create less expense for the company. However, employers often overlook the headache that such a change may cause for their employees. For instance, if you are an employee used to paying a $30 copay for a doctor’s visit under a PPO plan but now must foot the entirety of the doctor’s visit bill until you reach your deductible under an HSA plan, that may cause some stress. Further, if an employer moves to a narrower network to reduce premium, which causes a major local hospital system to be considered out-of-network and not covered by the plan, the HR director will be facing some tough conversations with employees.

These changes, which seem like the right thing to do on the surface, cause more employees to seek other places of employment, even more so than higher wages. Therefore, before making changes in your benefits offerings – carefully analyze your options and potential outcomes. The use of an experienced insurance broker will help do just that.

Many HR professionals have experience with their own population of employees, payroll and benefits at some level. However, the vast differences in health insurance carriers, networks, plans, and benchmarks requires the use of an objective third-party with extensive employee benefits knowledge.

Topics: Risk Management Employee Benefits Health & Human Services Unison Risk Advisors
All posts

Featured

Posts by Tag

See all