Tag: HETAS Insurance

What is Public Liability Insurance

Posted on by Alun

What is public liability insurance and why do you need it?

Public Liability insurance is an essential type of business cover for companies who conduct work on client’s premises, or who have members of the public attending their own premises.

What does public liability insurance protect you from?

  • The cost of damage to a third parties property, caused by you or a member of your staff
  • Compensation claims from members of the public for injury or death as a result of a negligent act by you or a member of your staff
  • Any legal expenses incurred following a compensation claim.

Public liability insurance is often a contractual requirement, enforced by governing bodies, industry regulators or a client. It also assures your customers that you have their best intentions at heart, and run a professional business by ensuring they and their property are protected while work is being carried out by your business.

The amount of public liability insurance you need will depend on the level of risk you undertake with your job on a day to day basis. It is important to think about the premises you work on or at, and if the worst should happen, how much it would cost to reinstate that property.

There are a number of situations where public liability insurance does not apply, such as employee injuries while at work, or damage to your own tools or property. You can protect yourself from these incidents, under other cover options available under your business insurance.

If you have any questions regarding your existing levels of public liability insurance, or your general business insurance, why not speak to us at HETAS Insurance. Call the team on 01905 886 462, or send an email to insurance@hetas.co.uk.

This is a marketing communication.

HETAS Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Jelf insurance Brokers.

HETAS Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA.  Registered in England and Wales number 0837227. Registered Office: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JX.

 

Protect Your Van

Posted on by Alun

Protect your van from theft

Protect Your VanFor many business owners their van is a key part of their team. It’s not just vital for getting to a job but also carrying all the tools and materials you need to complete a piece of work. Unfortunately it’s not just the van owners that are recognising their value as a van is broken into every 23 minutes in the UK[1]. In fact, last year 82% of vans were stolen without the owner’s keys[2]. Mainly because the criminal market have access to the same technology as the manufacturers. A criminal can easily hack a keyless entry system by using tech that they find online.

Technology

Keyless technology allows a vehicle to be unlocked and started when the key is within a certain distance. The problem for drivers of these vehicles is that by using a remote key thieves can extend the range of an owner’s key giving them easy access to the van.

Despite this heightened exposure to vehicle theft, there are steps that you can take to reduce your risk of being targeted:[3]

Protect Your Van

  1. Only park in secure garages, buildings or fenced-in areas. Alternatively, you could try and park somewhere that you would have a clear view of your vehicle.
  2. Keep your keys somewhere secure within your home, away from any windows.
  3. Don’t leave any valuables, high-end electronics or tools in your vehicle.
  4. Consider using anti-theft devices, such as a steering wheel lock or a fuel cut-off switch.
  5. Have a tracking device installed in your vehicle.
  6. Have your vehicle’s windows etched with its registration number or the last seven digits of the vehicle identification number, as this makes it harder for criminals to sell your van and easier for the police to identify it.

Insurance Policy

Don’t forget to check your van insurance policy. You need to check that you are adequately covered, and if there are any security conditions you need to follow to ensure your cover is valid. If you have any questions or queries regarding your van insurance, why not get in touch with HETAS Insurance.

This is a marketing communication.

HETAS Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Jelf insurance Brokers.

HETAS Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA.  Registered in England and Wales number 0837227. Registered Office: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JX. FP18.775

[1] https://www.factsmagazine.co.uk/news/how-can-the-van-theft-epidemic-be-tackled/

[2] https://www.driving.co.uk/news/blight-van-man-huge-rise-theft-vans-smart-keys/

[3] Zywave Personal lines perspective newsletter February 2018

 

Protect your van from theft

Posted on by Alun

Protect your van from theft

HETAS Insurance Services LogoFor many business owners their van is a key part of their team. It’s not just vital for getting to a job but also carrying all the tools and materials you need to complete a piece of work. Unfortunately it’s not just the van owners that are recognising their value as a van is broken into every 23 minutes in the UK[1]. In fact, last year 82% of vans were stolen without the owner’s keys[2]. Mainly because the criminal market have access to the same technology as the manufacturers. A criminal can easily hack a keyless entry system by using tech that they find online.

Keyless technology allows a vehicle to be unlocked and started when the key is within a certain distance. The problem for drivers of these vehicles is that by using a remote key thieves can extend the range of an owner’s key giving them easy access to the van.

Reduce the risk

Despite this heightened exposure to vehicle theft, there are steps that you can take to reduce your risk of being targeted:[3]

  1. Only park in secure garages, buildings or fenced-in areas. Alternatively, you could try and park somewhere that you would have a clear view of your vehicle.
  2. Keep your keys somewhere secure within your home, away from any windows.
  3. Don’t leave any valuables, high-end electronics or tools in your vehicle.
  4. Consider using anti-theft devices, such as a steering wheel lock or a fuel cut-off switch.
  5. Have a tracking device installed in your vehicle.
  6. Have your vehicle’s windows etched with its registration number or the last seven digits of the vehicle identification number, as this makes it harder for criminals to sell your van and easier for the police to identify it.

Don’t forget to check your van insurance policy. You need to check that you are adequately covered, and if there are any security conditions you need to follow to ensure your cover is valid. If you have any questions or queries regarding your van insurance, why not get in touch with HETAS Insurance.

This is a marketing communication.

HETAS Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Jelf insurance Brokers.

HETAS Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA.  Registered in England and Wales number 0837227. Registered Office: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JX. FP18.775

[1] https://www.factsmagazine.co.uk/news/how-can-the-van-theft-epidemic-be-tackled/

[2] https://www.driving.co.uk/news/blight-van-man-huge-rise-theft-vans-smart-keys/

[3] Zywave Personal lines perspective newsletter February 2018

Subcontractors

Posted on by Alun

Bona fide and Labour only sub contractors?

HETAS Insurance Subcontractors articleIf you regularly use contractors it’s important that you are aware of the type of subcontractors you are hiring – specifically labour only or bona fide?  Not understanding the difference between these two types of contractors can put your business at risk from fines, penalties or claims.

Labour only subcontractors

  • Work under your supervision and direction
  • Use your material, kit, equipment and tools
  • Comply with health and safety policies
  • Do not have a guarantee for work completed
  • May leave part way through the job

Bona-fide subcontractors

  • Work under their own supervision and direction.
  • Provide their own materials, kit, equipment and tools.
  • Are responsible for their own health and safety.
  • May have additional employees.
  • Are responsible for their own guarantees and maintenance.

So, why does it matter?

These key differences can be very important when it comes to insurance. Labour only subcontractors are treated as direct employees so need to be included in your employers’ and public liability policies. Bona fide subcontractors are not classed as employees and do not need to be included under your employers’ liability insurance as they should have their own insurance.

Even though both subcontractor classifications are similar, confusing the two can expose your firm to costly and damaging risks. The most common risks include the following:

  • A bona-fide subcontractor has insufficient or no employers’ liability or public liability insurance. As a result, after an incident, your firm is liable even though the subcontractor was at fault.
  • Your firm had not notified your broker / insurer about hiring labour-only subcontractors so they were not covered under your employers’ liability or public liability insurance. As a result, if they were responsible for an incident or become injured or ill due to their work, you could be wholly accountable for the damages.

How can you protect your business?

To guarantee that you are safeguarded against the potential risks that can arise from taking on subcontractors, review the following best practices:

  • Contact your broker / insurer to ensure that your employers’ liability and public liability insurance covers labour-only subcontractors.
  • Confirm that bona-fide contractors have their own public liability and employers’ liability insurance. Even if they are insured, you should verify that they have at least the same indemnity limit as your firm, as you could potentially be liable to fill the gap.
  • Annually review your bona-fide subcontractors’ public liability schedule to ensure that you’ll be protected if they were to cause an incident while working for you.

If you have any questions or queries regarding your business insurance, why not get in touch with HETAS Insurance.

This is a marketing communication.

HETAS Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA.  Registered in England and Wales number 0837227. Registered Office: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JX. FP18.711

Source: Zywave Risk Insights Construction 2017

Asbestos Risk

Posted on by Alun

Asbestos Risk

Asbestos Risk | September 2018Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was commonly used in building materials for decades and is responsible for the deaths of 5,000 people each year, with 66 per cent of them having worked in construction, according to the HSE.

What makes the mineral truly dangerous is that its effects can take years or even decades to become obvious, and by then, the damage can be nearly irreversible. Unfortunately, 23 per cent of UK construction workers say they have been exposed to asbestos, according to a survey from IOSH.

In fact 20 tradespeople die each week from mesothelioma and roughly 3,300 construction workers die each year from exposure to asbestos. The problem is the potential for exposure to asbestos is relatively high, as it can still be found in many buildings built before 2000. Even though it’s so prevalent, 18 per cent of construction workers said that if they found asbestos they wouldn’t know what to do.

Despite how common exposure to asbestos can be, construction workers often don’t take the proper precautions. In fact, 32 per cent of construction workers don’t check the asbestos register before they begin a job, and 15 per cent don’t even know what the register is. Even though exposure to asbestos seems inevitable, protection is relatively simple.

  • Check the asbestos register before carrying out any work. If there is no register or survey, or the report is not clear, don’t start work. Instead, have the property inspected for asbestos, or presume that any material you need to disturb contains asbestos and organise control methods to reduce exposure to the material.
  • Provide workers with asbestos health and safety training.
  • Provide workers with personal protective equipment, such as disposable overalls type 5, single-use disposable gloves, laceless boots and respiratory protective equipment.

It’s important to carry out and record a risk assessment for your work – you need to think about what could cause harm, and what precautions you will take to prevent it. Write down how you manage Health and Safety in your business in the form of a Health and Safety Policy (this is compulsory if you employ 5 or more people).

You will also need to give your employees access to competent advice so that they can meet their responsibilities and understand the asbestos risk. This could be someone within your business who has received training, or an external consultant.

If you would like a free review of your approach to risk management contact one of our HETAS Insurance advisers on 01905 886462.

 

 

HETAS Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA.  Registered in England and Wales number 0837227. Registered Office: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JX. FP18.529

Source: Zywave 2018 Construction Commercial Insurance profile

Finding the right insurance for you

Posted on by Alun

Finding the right insurance for you

Finding the right insurance for youHETAS Insurance regularly review the products we offer to ensure the polices we arrange continue to meet your needs. We are delighted to tell you that with effect from renewal all existing policies will be transferred to our new policy provided by RSA.

This new policy contains a number of changes that are focused around our desire to continually enhance the cover provided as well as reducing the administration burden on you.

Benefits include:

Cover for broader business descriptions.

The new product can accommodate much broader business activities and there is no longer a requirement that solid fuel installations make up 50% of your work. The product accommodates trades such as plumbing, gas work, and structural building work. This means that if you are a new HETAS member with an existing trade and are diversifying into solid fuel installations you can arrange cover via this policy. Existing HETAS registrants that are looking to expand into additional trades can also be covered under this policy.

More flexible package

The RSA product is made up of optional covers meaning it can be more easily tailored to your individual needs.

Depending on your individual circumstances this could result in a premium saving as you only pay for the cover you need.

Simplified approach to work at height.

Work at height can now be covered as standard up to ten metres with flexibility to cover work at greater height.

No more lengthy height work questions.

Reduced escape of water excess

Escape of water excess is £250 even if wet works are undertaken (plumbing etc.)

Competitive prices

Insurers set their prices based on the level of risk they believe a particular sector is exposed too. We are confident that RSA’s understanding of the sector will result in competitive prices for HETAS members.

The updated policy is available for all existing customers with effect from renewal. For more information please get in touch with your HETAS Insurance team.

 

 

HETAS Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA.  Registered in England and Wales number 0837227. Registered Office: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JX. FP18.221

 

Cyber risks in the construction industry

Posted on by Alun

Cyber risks in the construction industry

cyber risks in the construction industryConstruction output in the UK is more than £110 billion per annum and contributes 7% of GDP [1]. It’s a hands on industry; building infrastructures, mining, quarrying, forestry, supply of products, as well as maintenance and disposal, for both business and individual clients. So you might be surprised to hear that an industry that constructs so much offline, faces significant risks online.

According to UK government statistics, in 2015, 15% of construction business premises were affected by online crime. That means 1 in 6 constructions firms [2].  A study from The Home Office from that same year shows there were 77,000 incidents of online crime against construction companies, in which 71% were computer viruses and 10% were hackers [3].

Construction industry data is more valuable than you think.

Think about your company client base, the current, past and future projects, and all the information you hold. ‘The leaking of market-sensitive information, intellectual property or other confidential information could have serious financial consequences for your business.’ [4]

One of the most publicised and embarrassing security breaches came back in 2013, when hackers believed to be working from China stole a construction company’s blueprints for the building of the new Australian Security Intelligence Headquarters. [5]

It isn’t just hackers you need to be protecting yourself against either, multiple sets of employees, consultants and contractors, could all provide an element of risk when it comes to a data breach. Don’t forget, it is a legal requirement to ensure that all data is held securely and is used in the correct way.

GDPR and Construction

It is important to understand the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and what it means to your business. As the construction industry faces a migration towards more digitalised, integrated and complex systems, the potential impact and risk to the data being held by companies is increasing.

GDPR is coming. In an effort to make sure companies are doing everything they can to protect their data – this EU legislation is coming in to force from May 2018 and companies need to be ready. Bringing penalties of up to €20 million, or, if higher 4% of total revenues for those who don’t comply.

Building a safer cyber environment

Keeping systems up-to-date, having back-ups, secure Wi-Fi, installing anti-virus and building an internal policy to educate staff all helps to reduce risk. Perhaps start by having a frank discussion with your IT support provider to ensure you are doing everything you can.

Here are a few more tips to help protect your business:

  • Consider getting the ISO 27001 certification, which proves you are following the necessary security policies and procedures. [6]
  • Make sure your finance team are well trained and on the lookout for phishing scams.
  • If you have multiple connected users, make sure you install a privileged account security solution on each device. It will help to reduce your chances of sensitive data being accessed. It also makes it easier to control should a device be mislaid or stolen.
  • Install software that provides real-time protection and automatically receives the most up-to-date malware definitions. [7]
  • Prepare a plan for how the business will respond to an incident.’ [8]

Why not get in touch with your HETAS Insurance team on 08455 085 734 to see how they can help you.

 

HETAS Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of Jelf Insurance Brokers Limited. Hetas Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd (Reg No. 0837227), which is part of Jelf Group plc (Reg No. 2975376) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  Registered address: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6JX (Registered in England and Wales). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA. JIB226.09.17

 

[1] https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/UK_construction_industry

[2] http://www.infrastructure-intelligence.com/article/may-2016/one-six-construction-firms-affected-cyber-crime

[3] http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/cyber-criminals-target-construction

[4] http://constructionblog.practicallaw.com/it-is-not-a-matter-of-if-but-when-cyber-security-in-the-construction-industry/ 

[5] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/chinese-hackers-steal-blueprints-for-australian-spy-hq-8633757.html

[6] https://www.itgovernance.co.uk/blog/how-iso-27001-can-help-to-achieve-gdpr-compliance/

[7] http://www.isqft.com/start/blog-data-breaches-cyber-security-and-the-construction-industry/

[8] http://www.isqft.com/start/blog-data-breaches-cyber-security-and-the-construction-industry/ 

 

 


 

Focus on: Working at height

Posted on by Alun

Focus on: Working at heightWorking at Height Image

Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries. In fact, statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state that in 2015/16 144 workers were killed at work in Great Britain[1] and 26% of these fatalities were due to falls from height.  To help you protect your workers the team from HETAS Insurance have listed some key questions and answers about working from height.

Q Do the regulations apply to me?

A If you are an employer or you control work at height the regulations apply to you. You must make sure work is properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people. This includes using the right type of equipment for working at height.

Take a sensible, pragmatic approach when considering precautions for work at height. Factors to consider include the height of the task, the duration and frequency and the condition of the surface being worked on. See the risk assessment website for more advice by visiting: www.hse.gov.uk/risk/risk-assessment.htm.

Q How do I decide who should work at height?

A   You should make sure that people with sufficient skills, knowledge and experience are employed to perform the task, or, if they are being trained or are not competent you should ask yourself “should I be doing this work, or a different member of my team?” A competent person is someone who has the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to manage health and safety. Guidance on appointing a competent person can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/competence.

When a more technical level of competence is required, for example, drawing up a plan for assembling a complex scaffold, existing training and certification schemes drawn up by trade associations and industries is one way to help demonstrate competence.

Q What steps do I need to take to help protect people?

A   Always consider measures that protect everyone who is at risk (collective protection) before measures that protect only the individual (personal protection).

Collective protection is equipment that does not require the person working at height to act to be effective, for example a permanent or temporary guard rail.

Personal protection is equipment that requires the individual to act to be effective. An example is putting on a safety harness correctly and connecting it via an energy-absorbing lanyard to a suitable anchor point.

Remember you have a duty of care towards all individuals and so you should:

  • Take into account weather conditions that could compromise worker safety.
  • Check that the place where work at height is to be undertaken is safe. The place where people will work at height needs to be checked every time, before use.
  • Stop materials or objects from falling or, if it is not reasonably practicable to prevent objects from falling, take suitable and sufficient measures to make sure no one can be injured, like using exclusion zones to keep people away or using mesh on scaffolding to stop materials such as bricks from falling off.
  • Store materials and objects safely so they won’t cause injury if they are disturbed or collapse.
  • Plan for emergencies and rescue; for example, agree upon a set procedure for evacuation. Think about foreseeable situations and make sure employees know the emergency procedures. Don’t just rely entirely on emergency services for rescue in your plan.

Failure to consider precautions and to properly plan for working at height can lead to serious incidents. A Birmingham employer was ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid community work and pay costs of £1152.24 following a fall that left his apprentice with life changing injuries[2].

Q How do I choose the right equipment to use?

A  When selecting equipment for work at height, you must:

  • Provide the most suitable equipment appropriate for the work;
  • Take account of factors such as:
    • The working conditions (such as weather);
    • The nature, frequency and duration of the work;  and
    • The risks to the safety of everyone where the work equipment will be used.

Where the safety of the work equipment depends on how it has been installed or assembled, you should ensure it is not used until it has been inspected in that position by a competent person.

Any equipment exposed to conditions that may cause it to deteriorate and result in a dangerous situation, should be inspected at suitable intervals appropriate to the environment and use. Do an inspection every time something happens that may affect the safety or stability of the equipment, such as adverse weather or accidental damage.

You are required to keep a record of any inspection for types of work equipment including:

  • guard rails,
  • toe boards,
  • barriers or similar collective means of protection;
  • working platforms (any platform used as a place of work or as a means of getting to and from work, like a gangway) that are fixed (such as a scaffold around a building) or mobile (eg a mobile elevated working platform (MEWP) or scaffold tower); or a ladder.
  • Any working at height platform used for construction work and from which a person could fall more than 2 metres must be inspected:
  • After assembly in any position;
  • After any event liable to have affected its stability; and
  • At intervals not exceeding seven days.

By taking appropriate action to assess the risks faced in your business and then implementing steps to reduce them, not only are you meeting your legal requirements you are also protecting your employees. Don’t forget if you are planning to work at height you will need to arrange appropriate insurance. Why not get in touch with your HETAS Insurance team on 08455 085 734 to see how they can help you.

HETAS Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of Jelf Insurance Brokers Limited. Hetas Insurance Services is a trading name of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd (Reg No. 0837227), which is part of Jelf Group plc (Reg No. 2975376) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  Registered address: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6JX (Registered in England and Wales). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA. JIB157.06.17

Source Zywave

[1] http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/

[2] http://press.hse.gov.uk/2017/electrician-fined-after-apprentice-left-with-life-changing-injuries/