If you are concerned that you have structural defects in your business, or if you know that some cracks have appeared and you have concerns about them, then this is understandable. With that said, there are steps you need to take to try to make sure that you’re not overlooking them, because if you do, then you will find that they become more costly down the line.
Understand the Risks
The first thing you need to do is take the time to understand the risks you face. You need to carry out a risk assessment because you have a positive obligation to stop harm from happening to your employees as well as the general public. If you do suspect that there is a risk to someone’s health, then it is so important that you try to identify what the issue is, whether it is a construction issue, a manufacturing issue or even a material defect. At the end of the day, it is very easy for one issue to masquerade as another, so try to make sure that you keep this in mind if you can, as it could help you a lot later down the line.
Building’s Cover
Another thing you need to do is try to take off the building’s cover, if you haven’t already. Some issues with your building may be covered by your insurance, which is great. If you have a policy right now, then you may want to check this so you can find out if you can get a payout that will cover the damages. If you don’t have any cover, then this is fine, but it will mean you have to cover the cost of the issue yourself. If the issue is severe, or if you have a foundational issue that cannot be repaired, then your only option may be to look into demolition, so make sure that you keep this in mind if you can, as it could be a safe way to make sure that nobody ends up getting hurt.
Contract Documents
Another thing you have to do is find your contract documents. The risk assessment, as well as any other investigations you choose to carry out, will tell you who is responsible for paying for the repairs, but at the same time, you also need to check your building contracts as well as any warranties you might have. If you can do this then you will find it easier to make sure that you are not only making sure that you’re helping your team to stay safe but also protecting your building and your insurance. It may be that you need to try to notify people about the defect or that you need to make sure that you hold someone liable. On top of this, you may also find that there is a statutory limitation period you have to deal with, and if this is the case, you need to make sure that you consider that and then take steps to deal with it appropriately.
Add Comment