When you own a construction company, you’re liable to encounter all sorts of hazardous workplace environments. Many risks are involved with operating a construction business, from heavy machinery to dangerous chemicals and volatile construction sites. Over 150,000 construction workers are injured at work each year in the US, so ensuring all of your crew is safe should be a top priority.
Fortunately, as the owner of a construction company, you’re equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to protect your business from costly lawsuits and other damaging risks. While setting up your business on an ongoing basis, you must take certain precautions to protect yourself from liability and other threats. Keep reading for more information about protecting your construction company from liability.
Establish a Contractor’s Liability Insurance Policy
One of the first things you need to do to protect your company from liability is to purchase a contractor’s liability insurance policy. This type of policy covers damage to third parties, for example, accidents and injuries on your construction site. This policy is crucial for protecting your business from damage claims and other expenses arising from accidents on your construction site. However, many different types of contractors insurance are available, and they all offer different levels of protection for various industries and work carried out. You need to be confident that you have the right insurance policy or policies in place so that you, your employees, and your clients are covered if the worst does happen.
Keep accurate records and employ proper safety measures.
One of the best ways to protect your business from liability is by keeping accurate records and using proper safety measures. Each time a new contractor or supplier enters your construction site, you’re responsible for ensuring they know the safety measures. For example, you might require all employees to wear safety goggles when working next to machinery or on construction sites. It’s essential to ensure they are wearing the proper safety gear and understand why they are required to wear it in the first place. Keep an accurate record of all accidents that occur on your construction site, as well as any potential hazards you identify. You should also maintain an up-to-date inventory of all dangerous materials and equipment on your site.
Train your employees and hold them to high standards
When hiring employees for your construction company, be sure to hire only those who meet your high standards. You should also train your employees properly and hold them to your standards at all times. Employees who understand your safety rules and who maintain a high level of professionalism are less likely to engage in behavior that could potentially lead to an accident or injury on your site. Remember that your employees will be representing you and your business, so you need to be sure they have the right skill set and attitude.
Use appropriate tools and machinery and keep them properly maintained.
Another way to protect your company from liability is by making sure you’re using appropriate tools and machinery. For example, you should ensure proper safety guards are installed on all equipment that could potentially cause harm to an employee or a public member. And you should ensure that the tools used are appropriate for the job they are used for. This can reduce accidents, injuries, and damage to materials while ensuring the job is completed as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Keep your devices in good working condition, and make sure they’re correctly maintained. You should also be sure to keep your tools and machinery adequately maintained. Remember that failing to maintain your tools properly could result in a lawsuit against you. For example, if someone is injured because the blades on your saw are too dull to cut through what they’re supposed to, they could sue you for negligence.
Carry out regular risk assessments
Finally, you should regularly conduct risk assessments on your construction site. You can use these assessments to identify potential hazards and determine what steps you should take to reduce their risks. Once you’ve identified the dangers, you can prioritize them so that you can address them in the correct order. Remember that the more hazards you recognize, the more work you’ll have on your hands to reduce their risks. However, failing to address these hazards could result in a lawsuit against you, especially if it is proven you were aware of the risk and didn’t ensure action was taken to rectify the issue.
These are a few tips on protecting your construction company from liability. Now that you know what steps to take, you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing everything possible to protect yourself.