A 3-Legged Stool Fit for Trade Contractors
Discover three simple daily tasks that factor in to trade contractor success.
Learn why good attention impacts the reputation and insurability of trade contractors.
As the workday draws to a close and contractors pack it in until tomorrow, they also need to pack up and secure the jobsite. Just as a 3-legged stool is a standard model of stability and balance, there are three simple “legs” that may make or break the reputation, reliability, and insurability of a trade contractor. Today’s blog addresses attention to debris removal, equipment storage, and safeguarding the work location.
Debris Removal:
Keep up with clean-up of dust, dirt, shavings, stray nails, and whatever else results from your work process throughout the day. Every day, an end of day walkaround should be performed with eyes out for anything that may have been missed. Good attention improves safety and may lead to good customer reviews.
Equipment Storage:
From moveable tools to large items that will remain onsite until the job is completed, all equipment should be organized and accounted for at the end of every workday. Stow away anything that belongs in a toolbox and take the toolbox offsite with you. Anything larger that may be carried by hand, such as saws and drills, should also be removed daily from the jobsite. The other option would be storing tools in a locked area. Hard-to-move equipment should be shut off and fully disconnected from all power sources. If not kept in a secure room, place caution tape and warning signs on and around any items that present danger of bodily injury to anyone who may come in contact with them.
While ladders may seem harmless, they easily become what is legally termed an “attractive nuisance”, as they are a temptation for children to climb, especially if propped up against a structure or tree at any time. The safe course of action for contractors is to remove any ladder not inuse by securely fastening it to a work truck or placing it in a closed and locked garage.
Safeguarding the Work Location:
Ditto with respect to all of the above precautions. Whatever reasonable measures may be taken to ensure the safety of persons and equipment should be done. This also builds trust in the communities you work, showing concern for others and respect for property.
It is worth noting that specific factors affecting the jobsite, such as severe weather, may require upgrades to “reasonable measures”. For example, an in-progress roofing job during high winds necessitates a more robust fastening of roof tarps to prevent interior damage to the structure. While a roofing contractor likely has liability insurance protection for such a loss, it is more cost-effective and customer-satisfying to prevent a loss than deal with a loss.
Each “leg” highlighted above reinforces another 3-legged stool applicable to trade contractor’s, which is reputation, reliability, and insurability. You are in business to deliver a service profitably. The more care and attention to meaningful detail you incorporate into your delivery, the more likely your reputation as a reliable trade contractor will grow. Clean and safe practices directly impact insurability, because effective risk management improves claims history.
The Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agents at Richey-Barrett Insurance strive to provide helpful insurance-related information to our customers. This week the topic applies to trade contractors.
