Cleaning Insurance

Manual Handling – Advice for the cleaning sector

16/02/2011 in Cleaning Insurance

Our experience is that most claims in the cleaning industry sector are Employers Liability Insurance claims relating to manual handling. This includes any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing carrying or moving) by hand or by bodily force.

Lifting and carrying is the second most common cause of injuries for employees and causes some of the most serious and long-lasting injuries such as back pain and work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs). Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers have a legal duty to eliminate, if possible, lifting and carrying tasks which can cause injury. Where this cannot be done they must do a detailed assessment and reduce the risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level.

The weight of the load is not the only factor they must consider. The size and shape of the object; the height it has to be lifted; the ease with which it can be carried; the amount of twisting and stretching involved; the stability of the load; the space available; the suitability of the person; and the frequency of lifting are all equally important.

• Are there jobs, which involve dangerous or awkward lifting on the premises?
• What causes the risk of injury – the size, shape or weight of the load; the area where lifting is done; the ability of the worker; the frequency of lifting, etc.?
• If mechanical aids, trolleys etc., are provided to reduce the risk are they regularly maintained and suitable for the job?
• Does your employer provide training relevant to the handling jobs involved?
• Is racking and shelving where goods are stored secure and well maintained?
• Are ladders, kick steps, etc., suitable for the job and well maintained?

Deliveries to the back of premises should be made as close to the cellar or storage point as practically possible. Limit lifting as much as possible, especially for expectant mothers or any young persons, using trolley’s or hoists if provided for heavy items.  In many premises, roll cages are used to deliver goods. Many accidents occur when handling these cages:

• Are cages overloaded or badly packed when they reach the shop?
• Are loading bays and passageways free from obstruction?
• Are cages well maintained and replaced when damaged?
• In particular are the wheels in good condition?

Monitoring must take place to ensure the effectiveness of these measures and reassessment must be carried out where and when necessary.

Employees must make full and proper use of any system of work intended to reduce the risks of injury from manual handling activities.

Manual Handling Assessment and Associated HSE Guidance

According to the guidance, assessments should

• be suitable and sufficient
• be carried out by a competent person
• be kept up to date and revised where there has been a significant change or in the light of experience
• include a record of the significant findings
• take into account the tasks, the load, the working environment, individual capability and other factors

Good risk management will result in fewer claims and ultimately cheaper insurance premiums our clients in the cleaning industry. For more risk management or insurance advice, please contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944.

Why do cleaning contractors need specialist insurance cover?

13/01/2011 in Cleaning Insurance

Cleaning contactors could be leaving themselves exposed to risk if they haven’t consider the wider cover that is available from the specialist cleaning industry insurers.

The main area for concern is that a standard public liability policy will exclude damage to property being worked on.  This could be a problem, if say for instant and item is dropped whilst being cleaned. Cleaning contractors that are carrying out carpet cleaning need to have the “treatment risk” insured in case something goes wrong during the cleaning process and the carpet is damage.

Loss of keys and cover for security of customer premises (that’s cover in case a cleaner fails to lock up properly) are useful cover extensions.

For larger companies it is worth looking at cover for fidelity (theft by employees) and misuse of customers’ telephones.

For more information on specialist cleaning contractors insurance, contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944 or complete one of our enquiry forms

Taken to the cleaners!

15/10/2010 in Cleaning Insurance, Insurance Industry News

Some cleaning contractors may be exposing themselves to risk that are not insured by choosing to take the most basis form of public liability cover.
Although these contractors will undoubtedly be paying a lower premium, they will be exposing themselves to some risk that can be insured under the range of policies more specifically designed for the cleaning industry.

A specialist cleaning contractor’s policy will generally include the following risks:

• Damage to property being worked on
• The security to customers premises (i.e. a cleaner fails to lock up properly)
• Loss of keys
• Misuse of customers phones
• The treatment risk in respect of carpet cleaning
• Theft by employees (this can normally be cover for an extra cost)

For more information on the various products available please contact Tony Gibbs on 0118 9452944 or email tony.gibbs@macbeths.co.uk

Paul Gabriel, Director – PKM-TEC Cleaning Ltd

08/10/2010 in Cleaning Insurance, Testimonial

Running a large contract cleaning company brings more than its fair share of headaches, rising insurance premiums being one of them, but Macbeth have always found us the most competitive and comprehensive cover for our numerous cleaning projects, even providing additional cover at short notice when necessary.

Paul Gabriel, Director
PKM-TEC Cleaning Ltd