Public Liability

Slips, trips and falls are a regular source of workplace injuries Are we creating an environment for possible slips, trips or falls without even knowing it? Have you ever: Run down a flight of stairs? Slips on snow or ice? Walked in the workplace while reading something, talking on a mobile phone? Worked in areas [...]

New Cable Covers – Trip and fall prevention

cable covers

Do you rely on masking tape or mistakenly use Cable Protectors as trip prevention devices in pedestrian environments? Cable Protectors are a load bearing device designed to protect cords and cables and have no minimum height or contrast requirements. They are not designed as or intended to be used as a trip prevention device. The [...]

Remedial Slip Resistance Solutions

Workplace Safety

I’ve seen some of the recent work that Remedial Slip Resistance Solutions (RSR) have done and it is extremely impressive. These guys have over 30 years experience with floors including cleaning and slip resistance testing. I regularly use their other company (Slip Smart) for slip testing and advice on unsafe surfaces. For almost any problem [...]

Balustrade and Railing Height Regulations

One of the most common searches on this site is in regards to the legal heights of balcony railings and balustrades. The main query we receive is whether existing railing needs to be modified to meet the current building code if it was built prior to the current code and met relevant requirements in place [...]

Shopping Centre Loading Dock Safety

The majority of the high risks we identify during audits of shopping centres and malls are in and around loading docks. In a lot of retail centres these are also the areas which get the least attention as they are unlikely to be seen by the majority of customers. There is a lot hazardous activity [...]

Fireworks Safety

Fireworks can be displayed in NSW for: an organised public display for a community or public organisation or event theatrical and / or indoor display technical non-display purposes such as an industrial or agricultural purpose eg a chimney testing or bird disturbing device. The possession, use, storage and transport of display fireworks is restricted to individuals [...]

Free Public Liability Risk Management Manual

Free Asset Liability Risk Management Manual For Shopping Centres. Now available for download. 91 pages in Word version that can and should be modified to suit your own circumstances. Download Here TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWARD 1 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION SECTION 2 POLICY SECTION 3 OVERVIEW OF STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS SECTION 4 OVERVIEW OF PUBLIC SAFETY SECTION [...]

Building Safety and Maintenance

Body Corporate

Essential Safety Measures Maintenance Manual (fourth edition) The Victorian Building Commission has just released the fourth edition of the Essential Safety Measures Maintenance Manual. This is an excellent resource for owners and managers of office buildings, apartment buildings or body corporate. The manual refers specifically to Victorian Regulations, which are similar with regulations in other [...]

Balcony Safety

There have been a few recent tragedies involving the collapse of balconies. here is a great article from the Building Commission on reducing this risk through proper balcony maintenance. Balcony maintenance Inspection statistics have revealed numerous rotting balconies that could cause severe injury or death in the event of a collapse. The risk is greatest [...]

Handrails on Stairs

We have always argued that just because your building complies with the Build Code or Standards doesn’t always mean that you have met all of your duty of care obligations. The courts will treat each case on its merits and find you negligent if it decides that you should have been aware of a risk [...]

Body Corporate Voluntary Workers

Body Corporate

The Body Corporate is liable for any person who sustains bodily injury while voluntarily working on the behalf of the Body Corporate. Some of these incidents are preventable. Risk exposures that could lead to a claim include: · Slips, trips, and falls · Cuts · Burns · Electrocution · Dismemberment · Lifting injuries · Toxic [...]

Risk Management for Events

Events

Checkout this really useful tool from VMIA – Download Event Risk Document For more event risk management and public liability information and checklists visit Public Liability Website Guide to Managing Risk at Public Events – Download Here: Event Risk Management Checklist – Equestrian Federation of Australia Link to Macquarie University’s Events Manual. Covers marketing, public [...]

More Funny Safety Photos and Pictures

Safety Pictures

Huge collection of hilarious ways that some people fix things using shear genius an ingenuity mixed with a little stupidity. Always be careful when controlling a hazard that you don t great a worse one in the process. Great for safety meetings and presentations as examples of safety hazards and what not to do but [...]

Free Playground Safety Checklist

Body Corporate

Is the playground generally clean and well maintained? Can the playground be safely reached by pedestrians or those on bicycles? Are automobile parking areas physically separated from the playground? Is perimeter fencing provided? Are fencing and gate in good condition? Are informational signs concerning the use of the playground and the equipment provided? Are signs [...]

Go Kart Safety

Child Safety

I took my two sons go-karting on the weekend at public track. The karts were well maintained, there was plenty of warning signage around, our safety brief was very brief but covered the basics. My main concern was that other riders were allowed to wear thongs despite the signs saying closed shoes required.I told my [...]

Steps Stairs and Handrails

Some of the most common questions we are asked are about BCA requirements for steps, stairs and handrails on staircases. Below is a summary only and only most common criteria have been included for information only. Under Section D2.13 A stairway must have: no more than 18 or no less than 2 risers in each [...]

Shoes and Escalator Accidents

A few years ago there was a spate of accidents on escalators involving crocs shoes. It appeared at first as if there was something about these shoes that made them particularly hazardous on escalators. The reality seemed to be that it was really due to the popularity of the shoes at the time and there [...]

Pool Safety for Residential Apartments

Child Safety

This article covers recreation areas such as swimming pools, spas, gymnasiums, BBQ’s and playgrounds. Recreation facilities are an important part residential complexes, often used in marketing a property and often considered by prospective purchasers and guests. However, many of the more serious injuries and larger liability claims are as a result of incidents occurring in [...]

Recreation Facilities in Hotels

GYMNASIUMS A common amenity is a fitness centre for resident/guest use. Many will be using this equipment for the first time. To minimize the hazards, the you should focus on the selection of equipment, information, maintenance and security. Fitness Centre Location The location of a fitness centre can vary depending upon the layout of the [...]

Playground Safety For Hotels and Apartments

Children’s playgrounds are a great thing to have and really appreciated by parents. But they are perhaps one of the most hazardous areas of your operation and sadly also one of the most neglected. Injuries: Falls from equipment are the largest cause of serious injury in the playground. Other injuries include entrapment; collisions with equipment, [...]

Balconies and Balustrades

Each year, people are killed or seriously injured by either falling from balconies or being hit by objects which have fallen from balconies. Falls from upper storey windows has also led to fatalities. Balconies are used by adults and children for a range of activities including entertaining, playing, storage, relaxing and drying of clothes. Given [...]

Classic Risk Management Quote

Events

Classic Risk Management Quote We love to use this poignant quote whenever anyone says “we’ve never had an accident/fire/injury/claim/problem”: “When anyone asks me how I can best describe my experience in nearly forty years at sea, I merely say, uneventful. Of course there have been winter gales, and storms and fog and the like. But [...]

Coles Contractor Online Induction Test

Contractor Induction

Following a number of serious incidents involving contractors, the Coles Group, like many other organisations, insist that any person undertaking physical work on their sites must undertake their online induction process. This includes Contractors, Suppliers and Demonstrators. The program is relatively straight forward and the test is easy to pass after listening to the presentation and [...]

Common Risks in Shopping Centres

There have been several recent fatalities involving children travelling up on the outside of escalators. Most escalators and travelators have some sort of guard in place but the original ones were inadequate and very easily climbed around. All escalators, travelators and climb guards should be inspected and upgraded is necessary. Care should be taken to [...]

Managing Contractor Safety and Public Liability

Contractor Induction

Many contractors are not directly concerned for the safety of your customers and need assistance and close monitoring. For the purposes of risk management “contractors” can be considered in three categories: 1. Contract Labour are usually from employment agencies, and are employees of that agency. Typically these contractors work as if, in all other respects, [...]

Public Liability Standards and Legislation

The most common responses I get when I make a public liability risk recommendation to control or mitigate a potentially serious risk is: “it complies with the Building Code of Australia” or “show me the law that says you have to do that” or “this building was built before the BCA and its not retrospective”. [...]

Event Risk Management and Insurance

Events

Despite all the careful planning, things can still go wrong, and usually these are out of your control. This could include theft of equipment, injury to a guest etc. You should protect yourself by obtaining adequate insurance cover. Events Insurance Quotes provides free up-to-date access to the best value Events Insurance, Event Liability Insurance, Insurance [...]

Forklift Trucks in Public Areas

There have been a number of serious incidents in recent years involving third parties (ie customers and delivery drivers etc) being injured by mobile equipment, particularly forklift trucks. The owners/operator’s Public Liability Insurance policy may not generally cover the cost of resulting claims where the equipment should have been registered hence a claim made on [...]

Checklist for Public Liability Risk Assessments for Hotels and Resorts

Typical information collected by Underwriters to assess risks and determine public liability premiums For more information and checklists please visit our Public Liability Website Structures - Age, layout, construction - Fire Detection/alarms systems - Fixed protection systems – sprinklers, other extinguishing systems - Fire separations - Fire fighting water supplies - Fire fighting, private and public [...]

Shopping Trolley Collection

Car Parks

There have been a number of recent fatalities involving shopping trolley (shopping cart) collectors. In response to a fatality a few years ago when an elastic strap broke and killed a young boy, the West Australian Retailers Association issued a Code of Prcatice for Safe Management of Shopping Trolley Collection more info Worksafe recently issued [...]

Slip Resistance Testing

For an obligation free quote on wet or dry slip resistance testing or to get more help in solving any of your slippery floor problems in Cairns, Townsville, Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide please contact SlipSmart: contact@slipsmart.com.au For more information please visit The Public Liability Website The following information was provided [...]

Steps and Stairs Safety

Liability Cases & Claims

STEPS AND STAIR SAFETY The following articles have been provided by Safe Environments Safe Environments is a multi-specialist consultancy operating in the building, construction and property management industries. Our consultants are experts in building materials, ergonomics, occupational hygiene and occupational health & safety. our core services include: Property Safety Risk Inspections & OHS Compliance Audits [...]

Shopping Centre Risk Management

SHOPPING CENTRE CASE STUDY This page is available online at: http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/cpa-site/hs.xsl/home.html Page last updated: Tuesday, 20 February 2007 © Copyright 1997-2006 CPA Australia Reducing property and public liability risks This case study shows how a retail shopping-centre complex established a risk management program to reduce its property and public liability risk exposures and achieve savings [...]

Public Liability Insurance Quote

Looking for a competitive Public Liability Insurance Quote? – Click here for our free online service. Get obligation free and very competitive quotes from major insurers. Click Here Riskex – Insurance Online provides free up-to-date access to the best value Products Liability, Public Liability, Contractors Insurance, Events Insurance, Business Insurance and Professional Indemnity information, resources, [...]

How to get a better deal on public liability insurance

Hospitality

If you own or operate a pub or nightclub then you’ll know how hard it is to obtain adequate public liability insurance at a reasonable price. Unfortunately there have been some very public and expensive incidents in this industry. Unless you can prove to an Underwriter that your risks re lower than the industry norm [...]

Tort Reform and a Real Case