Spring Risk Management guidance
Welcome to spring
How can you take precautions to protect your business against risks you could encounter in the spring? Our risk consultants have brought together key resources and developed guidance to help you to identify potential risks and prepare for the challenges this season can bring.
Chris Andrews, Director of Risk Management Solutions
"As we head into spring, we consider some of the seasonal risks that your business may face. Prevention has never been more important than it is now in helping protect your business and your people. We hope you find this information useful in helping manage the risks that this season brings."
Spring Showers
The UK continues to experience unpredictable extremes of weather as climate change becomes more of a factor. In May 2021, the UK saw its second highest rainfall on record for the month with rainfall of 131.7mm.1 High levels of rainfall can lead to flooding. You should consider the risk of flooding to your premises and what precautions you can take to prevent it. To help, we’ve provided some simple, practical advice on steps you can take to protect your business if flooding is forecast.
Building and renovations
Spring is a popular time to see the start of renovations and building work. A lack of control of on-site contractors could lead to accidents and injuries to both the contractors and your employees. Failing to adequately supervise contractors could result in damage to premises, machinery and equipment and loss of business. What’s more, there’s also the possibility of civil compensation claims and prosecution of businesses who fail to fully appreciate the extent of their duties in relation to contractors. So, how do you protect contractors working at your business premises?
Fire
Did you know that in the year ending June 2022 there were 584,881 incidents attended by Fire & Rescue Services in England? Of those incidents, there were 154,772 fires, a three percent increase on 2021.2 On average, that’s 424 fires every day in England alone. Owners and occupiers of commercial premises can take some very simple steps to make sure they don’t find themselves included in those statistics. What are they?
Water Leaks
Water damage is one of the most common causes of property insurance claims for owners of office buildings, hotels, retail premises and other commercial buildings, including blocks of flats.3 In the UK, a great number of property insurance claims are a result of burst pipes and leaks, causing large costs and business disruption. Reducing the risk of damage to your property, fixtures / fittings, contents, machinery and equipment and IT systems, could avoid interruption to your business. You might also be interested in leak detection solutions and our Specialist Partners, LeakSafe and Waterguard, who provide detection and prevention systems to your premises, which are available to Aviva customers at preferential rates.
Theft
Reducing the attractiveness of your premises to thieves helps to prevent both theft and property damage. The first layer of security is the outer fence or wall and gates. The next layer is the outer wall of your premises, doors, windows and shutters and the last layer is internal walls, safes, cabinets and locked inner rooms. Making sure that each of those layers are robust, will minimise the risk of physical access to your building/stock. You could also add CCTV and intruder alarms. On top of that not leaving stock or valuable equipment where it's accessible or in view, controlling keys and codes, monitoring maintenance, undertaking appropriate checks on employees can all play their part.
Help minimise risks with our Specialist Partners
We have a wealth of experience in helping customers protect their business. As well as insurance, we provide a vast offering of other products and services to help prevent accidents and losses. As an Aviva policyholder, these products and services are available to you at discounted prices, helping you reduce risk in your business. From fire to escape of water, security to motor, health and safety to business resilience – all our partners have an established pedigree in the risk management sector.
Need further help or assistance?
Call our Risk Help Line to speak to our Risk Management Solutions team for help and advice on
Opening times: Monday - Friday* 9:00am - 5:00pm
Email us at: riskadvice@aviva.com
* Excludes Bank Holidays. The cost of calls to 03 prefixed numbers are charged at national call rates (charges may vary dependent on your network provider) and are usually included in inclusive minute plans from landlines and mobiles. For our joint protection telephone calls may be recorded and/or monitored.
2 Fire and rescue incident statistics: England, year ending June 2021 / Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
3 According to 2019-2021 Aviva claims data