7 Ways to Ensure the Safety of Your Commercial Premises

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There are plenty of things that can impact the success of your business. But there’s arguably none worse than a safety incident at your premises. If that happens, your business won’t just face financial repercussions, but it could also face legal ones, too. Plus, as a good employer, it’s essential that you create a safe environment for your employees. In this blog, we’re going to run through some effective methods for ensuring that your commercial premises are as safe as can be.

Hire an Expert

To put your business on the path towards impeccable safety, you’ll need to know what the safety threats are. Sometimes, this is an easy process because identifying safety issues is relatively straightforward. In other types of facilities, it’s more difficult. If you’re unable to clearly identify what the safety concerns may be, then it’s recommended that you hire a safety expert to do the job for you. They’ll be able to tell you where your potential weak points are and make recommendations for how you can improve things.

Take Care of the Infrastructure

There are plenty of things that can cause a safety incident at your business. The leading non-human cause of accidents is faulty infrastructure. As such, it’s important that you make every effort to ensure that the infrastructure of your business is watertight from a safety point of view. For example, are your safety valves up to standard? Is your roof watertight and secure? This is something that requires ongoing management — you can’t just look at these things once and expect them to work forever. After all, things do lose their quality over time.

Train Your Staff

Most workplace accidents are a result of human error. That’s not to say it’s the employee’s fault, however. If they haven’t been specifically trained to use the company’s equipment properly, then it’s actually the company’s fault, not the employee’s. Health and safety training isn’t the most exciting task, sure, but it is a critical one. You should be conducting regular training sessions so that your team is always up to date with the latest practices. It’s a good idea to hire a professional to lead the training sessions unless you have specific training in that field.

Maintain a Clean and Tidy Environment

There are plenty of workplaces that are safe when they’re in spotless condition. It’s when they’re not in a spotless condition that issues arise. This is a particular issue in warehouses and factories, but in truth, all business premises can suffer from being untidy. It just makes the environment more dangerous — it’s not hard to see how an injury could occur if someone was carrying something and tripped over an item that shouldn’t be there. As such, it’s imperative that you’re working to keep your work environment clean and tidy at all times. If you have a particularly busy workplace, then it could be a good idea to hire a cleaner to do the task for you.


Take Every Incident Seriously

Serious accidents in the workplace are rare. However, when you look at the events leading up to those incidents, you usually find that the signs that something bad was going to happen were there. It’s just that those early signs were non-serious injuries, so no one took them seriously. It’s for this reason that you should take every incident in the workplace seriously, even if the injury is extremely minimal. You might have just gotten lucky this time around — the next time could result in a serious injury.

Health and Safety Tools

It’s essential to invest in the correct health and safety tools for your site. It’s not hard to see how a fire extinguisher could be extremely useful if the premises experienced flames. There’s much more to know about safety equipment than you might expect, however. There are various different types of fire extinguishers, for example, with each type being used to put out a different type of fire. You will also want to have an extensive first aid kit, as well as any equipment that is specific to your particular line of work.

Secure the Premises

Finally, be sure to work on securing your premises so that no one can enter the building. The chances of someone entering your facility with the intention of doing harm are extremely small, but it’s not zero. Having keypad access, CCTV cameras, and other security equipment won’t just protect your team of staff but will also ensure that your site is kept safe when you’re not there too.

Safety Choices You Must Make To Protect Your Business

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Protect your business|Safety Choices You Must Make To Protect Your BusinessAre you looking for ways that you can improve your business? If so, then you might want to consider some of the key steps that you can take to make your business safer. These are some of the options worth exploring.

The Right Checks

First, you need to make sure that you are completing the right checks in your business. For instance, you need to ensure that the sprinkler systems are in the right condition. You might also want to explore gas leak detection and emission monitoring solutions. This could be beneficial depending on the type of business you are running and the industry that you are part of.

PPE

Next, think about the type of PPE you may need within your workplace. For instance, if you are working on a building site then you will need to supply hard hats and Hi-Viz vests. PPE is there to keep eveyone safe and if you are found out not to be using it correctly then you could get yourself and your business in quite a bit of trouble. Although not a true piece of PPE, it has become the norm to wear face masks due to the risk of contracting or passing on Covid-19. It might be helpful if your business had a box of masks at the entrance for anyone who has forgotten their own.


Health And Safety Officers

You might also want to consider hiring one or two health and safety officers. Health and safety officers will check your business for signs of an accident or incident occuring. Essentially, they will pinpoint and point out hazards that could lead to a disasterous situation. This could include wires that are strewn across the floor or a piece of equipment which isn’t functioning the way it should be. You can hire an in-house member of your team as a health and safety officer. Alternatively, you can also consider hiring someone outside of your business to fill this role. If you take the latter step then you will be able to hire someone who already has the right levels of training, qualifications and experience to fill this vital role.

Training

Finally, you should think about training for your team members. The majority of injuries and accidents in your business are going to be due to human error. That’s just a fact and the sooner you come to terms with this, the sooner you can take steps to deal with the problem. Specifically, you should make sure that you are exploring training for every employee. This will help them avoid critical mistakes while also ensuring that they know what to do if an accident does occur.

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you can take to ensure that your business is safe and has the right level of protection in place. By exploring the best options here, you can avoid a situation where you are inundated with PI claims and guarantee that your company does not develop a poor reputation due to the lack of care for your team.

How Businesses Should Handle Sensitive Data in 2022

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Handle Sensitive Data|How Businesses Should Handle Sensitive Data in 2022Mishandling sensitive data can be fatal for your business. Not only is this data usually given to you in trust by your customers, but it’s something that you’re legally required to protect, keeping safe and secure. In this article, we’ll look at ways in which you should be handling all sensitive data internally. The tips below will ensure that you’re able to keep handling sensitive data – whether that’s credit card details or personally identifiable information – without being at risk of data breaches or leaks that could damage your business.

Training

All good data handling begins with training. All your staff should be trained in how to keep data secure and how to keep their logins and passwords safe. This might take a training day, with you bringing in external facilitators to show your staff how to best handle data. Alternatively, you could appoint a data manager who is ultimately in charge of how your data is handled internally. They’ll have the master key for your sensitive data, and they’ll be an employee that you can trust to know how to handle data without leaving it at risk of being stolen or exposed.

Transfers

Sometimes, you’ll need to transfer sensitive data from place to place. That might be from one physical server to another, from your business to another business, or from a physical server into the cloud. During these moments of transit, your data is more likely to be intercepted and exposed, which means that you should concentrate on finding ways to secure your data when it’s in transit. Use Globalscape secure file transfer technology to ensure that your data is moved from place to place without the risk of being intercepted by bad actors or leaked accidentally when you need to move data to a new location.


Cybersecurity

Even when your data is simply sitting in a database without being moved, it could be exposed by bad actors who hack into your systems. This has happened several times in the past year, often via ransomware attacks that steal company data and demand a ransom payment to have it returned to them. The best way to protect from these threats is to install a reliable cybersecurity system. These are sold to businesses in many shapes and sizes, so it’s well worth doing a little research before deciding on which package you should purchase. Many are tailored to businesses just like yours.

Data Hygiene

The final tip in this guide is to keep your data clean and readable at all times. If your data is scattered across different platforms, is difficult to read, and will take a lot of manual editing in order to understand and leverage, it’s more likely that your workers will have to access sensitive data on their laptops and work devices, instead of leaving that data protected within files and databases. If you practice good data hygiene and keep your data machine-readable, you’ll never have to expose your data in the first place – it’ll be read and processed automatically, which means you’ll rarely have to access it in the first place.

Use these tips to secure your sensitive data in the future.

Security Measures That All Business Owners Should Consider

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StrategyDriven Risk Management. Article |Security Measures|Security Measures That All Business Owners Should ConsiderAs a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. You’re responsible for keeping your employees safe, managing your finances, and ensuring that your products or services are of the highest quality. Therefore, security should be one of your top priorities.
There are a variety of security measures that all business owners should consider, from basic things like installing locks and alarm systems to more sophisticated measures like hiring security guards or using facial recognition software.

Here Are Just A Few Of The Most Essential Security Measures To Keep In Mind:

1. Install locks and alarms

One of the most basic but essential security measures is to install locks on all doors and windows, as well as an alarm system. This will deter burglars and help to keep your premises secure.

2. Use security cameras

Another good security measure is to install security cameras, both inside and outside of your premises. This will help you to monitor activity on your property and deter criminals.

3. Hire security guards

If you have the budget for it, another excellent security measure is to hire professional security guards. They can patrol your property and provide a visible deterrent to potential criminals.

4. Use facial recognition software

Facial recognition software is becoming increasingly popular as a security measure, as it can be used to track people who enter and exit your premises. This can be especially useful in identifying potential intruders.

5. Implement access control measures

One way to enhance security is to implement access control measures, such as requiring employees to wear ID badges or using key cards to enter certain areas. This can help you to keep track of who is on your property and prevent unauthorized people from gaining access.

6. Conduct background checks

If you’re hiring new employees, it is important to conduct background checks to ensure that they don’t have a criminal history. This will help you to avoid potential problems down the road.

7. Keep your premises clean and well-lit

A neat and well-lit premise is less likely to be targeted by criminals than a messy and dark one. So, keeping your property in good condition can act as a deterrent. In addition, it is important to trim back any bushes or trees that could provide cover for potential intruders.


8. Install a fence

If your premises are located in a high-crime area, you may want to consider installing a fence. This will help to deter potential criminals and make it more difficult for them to access your property.

9. Use motion sensor lights

Another good security measure is to install motion sensor lights around your property. These will turn on automatically when someone approaches, making it more difficult for criminals to operate undetected.

10. Train your employees

It is also essential to train your employees in basic security measures, such as how to handle cash, how to use the alarm system, and what to do in the event of an emergency. This will help them to be more alert and less likely to fall victim to crime.
In addition, it is important to educate your employees about security measures and make sure they know what to do in the event of an emergency. This includes things like knowing how to lock doors and windows, being aware of who is on the premises, and knowing where the fire exits are located.

11. Stay up-to-date on security trends

Security is an ever-changing field, so it’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. This will help you to identify new threats and take steps to protect your business.

12. Review your insurance policy

Finally, make sure that you have a comprehensive insurance policy in place. This will cover you in the event that your property is damaged or destroyed by crime.

13. Invest in security

Ultimately, the best way to protect your business is to invest in security. This includes both physical security measures and cyber security measures. It’s also a good idea to review your security measures on a regular basis to ensure that they’re still effective. This will help you to identify any potential weaknesses and take steps to address them. By taking steps to secure your premises and data, you can help to keep your business safe from harm.

In today’s day and age, there’s something else you need to be thinking about:

Cyber Security.

The reason cyber security is so crucial for businesses is because hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated. They’re constantly finding new ways to break into systems and steal sensitive data. And if they can get their hands on your customer’s information, they can wreak havoc on their lives.

So what can you do to protect your business from these cyber threats?

Here Are A Few Things To Consider:

Invest in a good cyber security system:

This is one of the most important things you can do to protect your business. There are a lot of different cyber security systems out there, so do some research and find one that fits your needs.

Educate your employees:

Your employees are one of your biggest assets, but they can also be one of your biggest vulnerabilities. Make sure they know how to spot a phishing email or a suspicious website. And teach them not to click on links or attachments from people they don’t know.

Keep your software up to date:

Software updates often include security patches that can help protect your system from new threats. So make sure you’re always running the latest version of your operating system and applications.

Backup your data:

If hackers do manage to get into your system, they could delete or encrypt your data. That’s why it’s essential to have all your critical data to amazon backup security. That way, if the worst does happen, you’ll be able to recover it.

In Closing

These are just a few things to consider when it comes to cyber security. But ultimately, the best way to protect your business is to stay informed and stay vigilant. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, so you need to be prepared for anything.

High Court Enforcement Officers Explained

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |High Court Enforcement Officers|High Court Enforcement Officers ExplainedWhen it comes to dealing with business debts, there are two high courts. They are the County Court and the High Court. The County Court deals with smaller claims, while the focus on the High Court is to deal with bigger debts. If a debt is greater than £50,000, it will be issued to the High Court.

A judgement made in the County Court can be sent up to the High Court if necessary. High Court Enforcement Officers are officers that have been authorised specifically by the High Court, and these officers have more power than that of a standard bailiff or enforcement officer. High Court Enforcement officers are bound by a code of practice and have agreed to abide by the High Court Enforcement Officer’s Association’s code of professional conduct. If you are faced with the threat of one of these offices, you” have to pay high court enforcement fees.

Bailiffs vs HCEOs

There are some key differences between bailiffs and high court enforcement services. Bailiffs, also known as simply ‘enforcement officers’ have the legal ability to collect debts for the county court and may take goods as part of that process. These officers are often employed by civil enforcement agencies, but it is also possible for them to work with the court directly. they do not have the same powers as HCEOs, however.

Bailiffs have the job of obtaining payment from debtors. They can do this either by collecting the payment directly, or through what’s known as a controlled goods agreement. If the debtor refuses to pay, bailiffs can visit their business to seize goods. The bailiff must give seven days notice before visiting a business premises. They do not have automatic right of entry. Anyone who is visited by a bailiff should ask for proof of ID from them. Debt collecting agencies often have their workers pose as bailiffs, when they are simply agency employees who do not have the same legal powers.


What Does a HCEO Have The Power to Do?

If a HCEO comes to a business’ premises, they can look to see if there are any goods that can be seized. They must obtain “permission to attend” from the courts before visiting, and must also give sufficient notice. Once at the property, the HCEO will give the debtor the opportunity to pay the debt or enter into a controlled goods agreement. If the debtor does not agree to do either of these things, the HCEO has the right to seize goods immediately, for the purposes of paying the debt.

The HCEO is permitted to take business furniture, stock, machinery, vehicles, financial assets such as shares and bonds, and money. They may also take goods that are on finance, however, the finance company must first agree to the sale of those goods.

The HCEO can only take things belonging to the business. They can’t take personal items. They’re also not permitted to remove:

  • Perishable goods
  • Goods leased or hired
  • Assets under third-party ownership
  • Tools, up to a value of £1,350, required by the debtor to conduct their trade

The HCEO can’t force entry into a secured premises, nor can they take goods from a third party unless they have a good reason to believe the business was storing their goods there. Anything taken by the HCEO will usually be sold at public auction, either through a general auction house or the officer’s own auctions. If the goods are not suitable for public auction, the HCEO may apply for permission to conduct a private sale. The debtor will be liable for any fees incurred during the process of removing and selling any items owned by the business.