As the country reopens, you may be wondering how you can open your business again safely. You want to comply with the standards given by the government, but you may not know how to directly implement them for your business. At a time when lawsuits against businesses by employees are at an all-time high, you may even wonder how in the world you’ll be able to manage with the liability risk. What can you do? Here are some things you can do to reduce your business liability.
Protect Customers and Employees
One of the things that you can do to reduce your business liability is protect your customers and employees. Businesses should follow OSHA standards to protect their employees and customers. This includes social distancing practices, such as tape on the floor to encourage customers to stand six feet apart as they browse the shelves to shop. It also includes distancing from each other in restaurants at tables, and facial protection such as wearing masks and other personal protective equipment. Your local government will have more specific guidelines for what you can do to protect customers and employees, but above all, keep their health in mind and practice good cleanliness practices.
Consider Your Risk Level
Another thing you can do is consider the risk level of your business. Is your business in frequent contact with other people, or only those who work in the office? If your business is at a higher risk than others, like a restaurant for example, consider using extra preventive measures to prevent the spread. In addition to your employees wearing masks, consider also using plastic partitions to separate your employees from your customers. Another thing you can do is have automatic hand sanitizer dispensers available. Even doing just a little bit more helps keep people safe.
Train Your Employees
With your business reopening, your employees will need to be trained on the new procedures and for keeping your business as safe as you can from COVID-19. This training can help reduce business liability by helping your employees know what is expected of them and that you are doing what you can to keep them and your customers safe.
In this turbulent time, it is possible for you to reopen your business, although it will be new. Follow the guidance given by local leaders so that your business can operate during this new normal time.
To protect your business from liability, look into our general liability insurance!
