Risk Management and Insurance for business premises safety

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The purpose behind a risk management program is to identify hazards, assess them to see what risk they pose, and then take steps to control the risk – which involves either eliminating the hazards or minimizing the harm they may cause. It may also involve regular ongoing monitoring to ensure continued health and safety. Risk management and insurance are not totally separate entities but combine to form a method to control the losses that can occur in a business.
In terms of a business premises hazards are those things which have the potential to cause injury to people on the property. This may include poorly maintained steps or stairs, poor design of the workplace, uneven floors, damaged floor coverings or mats, uneven walkways, potholes in the car-parking area, and poor lighting. It is essential that management take steps to make the property as safe as possible for workers and visitors. This may involve not only property maintenance but also improving the disaster-resistance of the building to make it less vulnerable to fire, flood, earthquake or other peril.
Part of the risk management and insurance process is to purchase insurance to “match” the risk involved. Risk management helps to reduce the likelihood of injuries or harm, while insurance provides financial protection if an injury should unfortunately occur.