Approaching your start-up with energy, enthusiasm and positivity is one of the best things you can do as a business owner. But as well as dreaming of future projects and success, don’t forget to prepare your new company for the worst. With so much to think about it can be easy to forget about safety and security, but as this is a key part of working life. Here’s how to ensure you’ve covered for potential threats and issues.
Install security doors
If you don’t have them already, investing in high-quality steel security doors could be one of the best moves you make. Not only are they weather-resistant and extremely durable, but they can be made to measure and are available in various thicknesses depending on your business requirements. Doors of this kind can protect against vandalism and theft and give the immediate impression that the security of your company is high, therefore acting as a deterrent against intruders.
Invest in CCTV
It’s also a really good idea to protect your premises in any way possible by installing security systems and CCTV. When positioned carefully, cameras will keep watch over your business site, monitoring all activity for a set period of time. If the worst should happen, the footage can then be used to assist a conviction or to help confirm details in an insurance case.
Install fire alarms
No one wants to imagine their business going up in flames, but as fire damage can destroy start-ups for good, you must read up on all the latest laws and do everything in your power to reduce the risk of a fire occurring. While fire alarms will alert you to a problem quickly, you should also invest in a fire extinguisher and ensure everyone in your staff knows how to react if an incident should occur.
Take out business insurance
Insurance offers a financial safety net if anything goes wrong, so make sure you have it! While paying an annual premium upfront or making payments for something you “you might never need” may seem like an unnecessary expense, it could save you a lot of time, money and hassle later down the line. When taking out commercial business insurance, however, always read the small print to familiarise yourself with what is and isn’t covered. It’s often possible to bolt-on additions to a basic policy depending on your concerns, so do your research thoroughly and avoid being caught out by various loopholes and clauses.
Carry out a risk assessment
Finally, your premises may be hiding risks that could pose a danger to someone’s life or health, so always carry out regular risk assessments and work hard to fix any problems found. The Health and Safety Executive provides many handy tips on how to carry out this simple procedure, offering several handy templates for you to use, so there’s absolutely no excuse not to do this.
As a business owner you must think of the highs and the lows, so put procedures in place to deal with and prevent workplace issues.
