It may not occur to most future brides to be wary of potential trip and slip hazards when attending a dress fitting, but despite your best efforts to make them and their guests feel welcome and comfortable, accidents can happen.
While an ill-fated tumble can put a dampener on a day of wedding window shopping at the very least, the financial implications on small bridal businesses could be devastating.
The compensation epidemic coupled with the promotion of no-win no-fee lawyers sees members of the public increasingly willing and able to seek compensation. Ensuing costs can run into the thousands – even millions in the more extreme cases.
This is not just limited to customers – you also need to consider those you’re responsible before for you even open your doors to the public, namely your employees.
Adequate liability insurance can safeguard your business from hefty payouts, but in the meantime, there are steps you can take to help avoid preventable mishaps:
- Access to premises
Should you choose to enhance the atmosphere of your shop by dimming the lighting, make sure that it won’t affect the access to the shop, which should be well lit and properly maintained
- Tripping Hazards
Long dress trains come as part of the dress-sampling territory, but look out for any unexpected hazards, such as a loose carpet end or trailing cable
- Interior floor surfaces
Polished floor boards do wonders for the romanticism of a bridal shop, but make sure these are in good condition and, where possible non-slip
- Employee awareness
Aside from the obvious hazards of a cup of tea or coffee and an expensive lace dress, do your employees know what precautions they should take if anything is spilt? Sometimes the simplest everyday risks are the ones that can cause real problems
- Building work
To ensure that your employees and members of the public are protected from building or maintenance work, keep them clear of the area that is affected – or better still, ensure the work is carried out when the shop is closed to the public. Check that the subcontractors you are using for the work are competent and have adequate insurance.
By being mindful of safety measures and covering your business with liability insurance, you’re free to focus on your customers and their big day.
Make sure it’s the right insurance by talking to the Chartered brokers at Hine, who can offer advice on further measures to take and ensure you have the correct level of cover in place. Call 0161 438 0000 or email info@hine.co.uk.
