As a responsible business owner, you have all the necessary insurance to protect you and your employees in case of injury or accident. But you can also take steps to mitigate your risk and prevent these issues in the first place. Some of them may even reduce your commercial insurance rates!
- Implement the proper safety equipment and develop a set of safe procedures. This means more than simply having a fire extinguisher handy. It means having power strips that shut off if they’re overloaded, to prevent electrical fires, for example. It also means educating your employees on unseen risks in the workplace and on how to avoid them every day.
- Go the extra mile. While the government might not require, say, slip-proof grips on bathroom floors, these little extras can prevent serious accidents. Slip-and-fall accidents are the most common source of workplace injury, so go out of your way to install handrails, non-slip flooring, and other safety features that will keep your employees safe.
- Track your safety record. Keep tabs on how long you’ve gone without a workplace accident, and publicize that number. This is an especially important step in more industrial workplaces, where employees must constantly consider safety.
- Keep your building in good repair. Even if repairs are your landlord’s responsibility, you can monitor the condition of the building and report any concerns ASAP. After all, that little leak in the conference room could lead to major flood damage if it’s left too long. Be sure to follow up on any maintenance requests and find out exactly what work was done.
