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PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A crucial part of managing construction projects is keeping workers safe and ensuring they have access to timely and effective medical treatment in case of an accident. These efforts are complicated when projects are located in remote or sparsely populated areas, or when they cross electrical distribution lines, highways, and pipelines. To help contractors provide quality, cost-effective medical care for workers, while helping to mitigate risk exposures, ESIS, Inc., -- a risk management services company and member of ACE Group -- today released a paper addressing these challenges and providing guidance. Additionally, the paper underscores the merits of close coordination with medical resources and experienced risk management specialists.

Managing Workforce Medical Care for Remote and Cross-Country Projects was co-authored by David Landrum, Vice President and ESIS National Construction Practice Leader, and Rene Scott, ESIS Medical Impact Manager.

“There is no substitute for preparation when it comes to ensuring the safety and availability of medical care for workers on projects – particularly when they are in remote or dangerous locations. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and even the slightest delay in administering medical attention can mean the difference between life and death,” observed Mr. Landrum. “Contractors should consider working with risk management experts who have experience in developing medical programs for the construction industry, handling the types of claims these projects may entail, and have the capability to respond rapidly in the event of catastrophic incidents.”

The key planning elements examined in the ESIS white paper include the following:

• An agreed-upon source of communication in the area, be it cell phones, satellites, or radio transmissions, as access in remote areas may be limited
• Alternate medical resources in the area in case preferred network providers are not available in the area of the project
• Access via telephone or Internet to connect crews with medical professionals who can provide guidance when projects do not have staff on hand
• A 24-hour medical help line staffed with registered nurses for both triage and follow-up in the case of a catastrophic event
• A dedicated call-in number to reach case managers and catastrophic case management to assist injured employees and provide expert help to claims representatives

Mr. Landrum continued, “Companies need to also consider the costs that will be incurred in the event of an accident or catastrophe. Having a thorough response plan in place can help reduce duplicative or unnecessary diagnostic tests and procedures at hospitals following an incident, thereby improving care and outcomes and possibly having a positive impact on claims costs and enabling better management of potential financial losses.”

According to the authors, a comprehensive response plan should take into consideration that accidents resulting in severe or fatal injuries require investigations. It may be necessary to bring in expert adjusters and /or attorneys who are experienced in construction and can assist with an on-site investigation. For incidents that may generate media interest, companies may want access to public relations experts to work with journalists and to protect the corporate reputations.

To read the full paper, please click here.

ESIS^®, Inc. (ESIS) is part of ACE Group, providing claim and risk management services to a wide variety of commercial clients. Insurance is provided by insurers within ACE Group. The material presented in this communication is not intended to provide legal or other expert advice. It is presented for informational use only. Readers should consult legal counsel or other technical experts, as applicable, to answer any specific questions they may have. For more information about ESIS, please visit www.esis.com.

About ACE Group

ACE Group is one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty insurers. With operations in 54 countries, ACE provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance, and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. ACE Limited, the parent company of ACE Group, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACE) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Additional information can be found at www.acegroup.com, or follow ACE on Twitter,https://twitter.com/ACEGroupNA.

ACE^®, ACE logo^®, and ACE insured^® are trademarks of ACE Limited.