Pollution liability should not be overlooked. Claims, and the costs associated with those claims, can be expensive. They can test the financial stability of even the best of companies.

Crawl spaces, sewers, boilers, manholes. Individuals working in confined spaces such as these are exposed to life-threatening physical and atmospheric hazards.

What comes to mind when you think DISASTER? A power outage, a building fire, a tornado that levels your facility, or even a hurricane knocking out the entire region?

Large or small, when disaster strikes, the only way you will be ready is to have the right plan, a quality response, and a comprehensive approach. This will ensure your ability to stay in business. As you prepare, don’t limit your thinking when defining disasters.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Brandon Nettrouer, a 2015 Gibson Summer Associate. We hope you enjoy Brandon’s perspective and wisdom!

Materials for a construction project are crucial. Without them, the project will not get done. How can you protect these supplies and avoid substantial financial losses?

There are multiple options for contractors, but the right solution will depend on the project and your role. Most often contractors will turn to builder’s risk policies and installation floaters.

Even in a seemingly safe environment such as an office, accidents can – and do – occur. When you think of accidents, your mind might jump to major incidents and emergencies. But don’t overlook the smaller injuries. Cuts, scrapes, and burns can also impact your workforce and their productivity. Having CPR and first aid trained employees can make a substantial difference in your ability to maintain a safe work environment.

As hard as you may try, you are not going to please everyone. There are going to be times on social media where your organization receives negative feedback. Some businesses let the fear of negative reviews prevent them from diving into the world of social media. Yes, social media does present its own risks, but it could also be argued that skipping on social media creates even greater risks.

The dark clouds roll in. The warning siren sounds. Severe weather is coming…are you and your employees ready?

The storm may pass your site, causing little to no damage. But if you are caught in the heart of the tornado, the result could be catastrophic. You’ve seen the images. Entire towns wiped out in the path of a tornado. You can’t predict the outcome of a storm, but you can plan ahead to make sure your organization is disaster ready.

The construction industry has done a good job of focusing on safety and quality. This mindset has been driven down to the smallest of contractors. They know safety and quality not only impact what work they can secure and for which owners and contractors they can work, but it also drives the cost of their insurance program. Prequalifying contractors based on their safety experience and program is the norm.

The prequalification process, however, should not be limited to safety. Financial prequalification should receive adequate attention as well.

Think only health care workers and first responders are in danger of bloodborne pathogen exposure? Custodians, laundry workers, employees performing first aid, those who service medical equipment, law enforcement personnel, among others, can even be exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials on the job.