Contractors do certain things because they know they can help ensure that their clients and themselves are secure.
There are other things contractors typically get because they believe it will lower costs for their insurance contractors.
Below is the list of items that can assist them in doing both.
Why Do Contractors Need to Minimize the Risk of Their Liability?
There are financial incentives to reduce liability risk in addition to the most apparent justification that less risk equals safer.
Another reason is that preventing accidents and being an overall risk could reduce the cost of your small business liability insurance. It can also keep your business from becoming too large of a chance for the insurance company.
Contractors would like to get back in good shape after an exhausting day. However, if self-preservation isn’t your style, concentrate on reducing the chance of being injured for other reasons.
How Can Contractors Reduce Their Liability Risk?
Here are the most efficient methods contractors can use to minimize liability risk.
Get a Contractors License
Getting licensed or certified often involves special training, which gets meant to help ensure a contractor is aware of all relevant safety information.
For example, the City of Ottawa requires plumbers, HVAC specialists, drain layers, building repair, and sprinkler/fire protection installers to hold a trade license to operate within the city.
Know the Rules
Based on the kind of contractor you’re, these rules may be:
- Fire safety
- Dust control
- Clothing to protect yourself
- Platforms for elevated work
- Soil types
- Hygiene
You may need to be aware of other local safety laws, especially if you take a position away from your typical place of business.
Train Employees
What requirements do state or municipal laws place on you and your team? Regarding the training of your personnel, there are extra factors unique to your business and equipment.
Ensure that all employees get thoroughly instructed on all safety regulations. That everyone gets trained on how to utilize all tools and equipment.
The most unpleasant thing is to return from lunch only to see people on ladders that are not secure using a tool that isn’t their own.
Use Safety Equipment
Have you ever seen roofers working on high levels without being secured with harnesses?
What happens to a carpenter who uses power tools and does not wear eye protection?
Ensure that everyone on the site has access to and practices with the appropriate safety equipment, and their use gets strictly controlled.
Signature of a Contract
Contracts are a crucial instrument for contractors who want to minimize liability risk.
Contracts do more than provide a clear overview of what get expected of the project and establish the relationships between the participants. They could include sections that assist in managing risk.
Although many things can include in a construction contract, every contract should contain:
- The entire scope of the task involved (who, what, where, when, how)
- Pay schedule (including the checkpoints, the amounts, and dates)
It is a way to protect both parties and make a civil liability lawsuit far less likely.
Kept the Clean Job Site
Many of us have to get told that an unclean job site is a safe work site.
It’s often said because it’s factual.
The less mess and disorder there is at a job site, the less risk of tripping there is, which is among the main reasons for accidents at work.
Maintain Tools and Equipment
Undoubtedly, an average job site for contractors requires at least 1 or 2 tools that could cause significant property damage. Or a person if not taken care of and utilized correctly.
It could be as simple as keeping your hammers dry to prevent rust or something as complex as cleaning the excavator’s engine. Your practice should include equipment maintenance to reduce your risk of liability.
Be Fully Insured
Although every security measure gets taken, the tool and lesson are adhered to daily; however, the nature of a busy job site may occasionally cause accidents.
It is essential to ensure that you and your clients are secure by purchasing complete small business insurance.
Insurance protects contractors from liability claims as well as other related risks.
We can help you whenever you need it if you’re interested in getting a quote for contractor insurance.
Any inquiries about this or any other insurance-related subject should be sent to Commercial Insurance Ottawa at (613) 454-5640 or info@commercialinsuranceottawa.com.