The key to keeping your business costs low is preventing injuries and damages before they happen. Slips and falls, exposure to cleaning chemicals, damage to a client’s property, and equipment hazards are common risks faced by cleaning and maintenance service employees that could leave a mark on your balance sheet and reputation. To avoid a financial mess from a claim or lawsuit, a risk management plan should be defined and followed.
Here are some risk management tips that reduce costly risks for your business:
Make Safety Everybody’s Job
Train each employee in safety procedures that prevent damages to a client’s property, equipment breakdowns, and injuries or health risks. With everyone involved in creating a safe environment, the risk of a costly claim is significantly reduced. Safety tips include (but are not limited to):
- Don’t use cell phones while driving from one site to another
- Inspect and control cleaning site hazards before starting the job
- Secure valuable or breakable items before cleaning an area
- Wear protective gear that shields skin and eyes from chemicals
- Warn clients of wet floors and hazard areas
- Use proper cleaning procedures and maintain working condition of equipment
- Lock up the building and equipment at the end of each workday
Keep a Record of Inventory and Services Performed
Write up a contract for your client to sign before starting a new job that clearly defines services to be performed, how they will be performed, rates, and other important conditions. Throughout each workday, record which equipment is used, where equipment and the client’s property is stored, and tasks or services that were completed. Documentation not only helps employees stick to an agenda for a higher job performance, but it provides evidence to better defend your business if there’s ever an unexpected lawsuit. In addition, it helps to improve customer satisfaction.
Have a Backup Plan with Insurance
Insurance coverage is there to back you up financially when an unexpected claim happens. To get the best coverage for your operational and financial needs, it’s important to know the risks your business faces and what is covered under each type of insurance policy. Even the most basic insurance can help you avoid a substantial loss, depending on your risks.
Following a simple risk management plan that includes these components will help your cleaning or maintenance service business avoid significant financial loss and maintain customer satisfaction. With this, you can keep your operations running as smooth as possible and continue growing your business.
For a stable backup plan in case an unavoidable claim or lawsuit is filed, NIP Group offers MaintenancePro insurance program to keep you out of a financial mess. Contact your insurance broker or visit www.nipgroup.com/programs/maintenancepro for more information.