Wintry hazards – is your venue prepared?

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With plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and talk of one of the warmest autumns on record, it is hard to imagine a winter as bad as that experienced in 2010; it was the coldest December ever in the UK, since Met Office records began in 1910, with a mean temperature of -1°C.

It is important that clubs are prepared and aware of their duty of care to members, staff and visitors. All occupiers have a legal duty to rid their walkways, car parks and driveways, as far as reasonably possible of snow and ice. For example falls on snow or ice resulted in nearly 15,000 hospital admissions in 2010/11 according to Hospital Episode Statistics, part of the NHS information centre.

With many members keen to keep up their training and participation throughout the winter, clubs must be aware that they have a duty to rid their walkways, car parks and driveways, as far as reasonably possible, of obstructions and potential hazards caused by snow or ice.

Here are our key points on preventing winter accidents, in accordance with recently issued guidance from the HSE: 

  • Identify all the areas used by pedestrians and employees most likely to be affected, including walkways and/or car parks
  • Suitably treat identified areas with grit and/or salt
  • Monitor temperatures and weather forecasts as prevention is key
  • Put up signage warning visitors that snow and ice is a hazard, however it must be noted that this alone is not sufficient prevention
  • Lack of knowledge or delay will not be a defence
  • Ensure all areas are adequately lit
  • Introduce non-slip, water absorbing mats at entrances to the building(s) that are sufficient to dry shoes.

Contact
If you would like to discuss your sports liability insurance and/or risk management needs, please call your usual Perkins Slade contact, alternatively  telephone 0121 698 8000 or email: sportsliability@perkins-slade.com

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Wintry Hazards? Hard to believe!

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With plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and talk of one of the warmest autumns on record, it is hard to imagine a winter as bad as that experienced in 2010; it was the coldest December ever in theUK, since Met Office records began in 1910, with a mean temperature of -1°C.

Should conditions take a turn for the worse this winter it is important that employers and occupiers are prepared and aware of their duty of care to staff and visitors. All occupiers have a duty to rid their walkways, car parks and driveways, as far as reasonably possible of snow and ice. For example falls on snow or ice resulted in nearly 15,000 hospital admissions in 2010/11 according to Hospital Episode Statistics, part of the NHS information centre.

Here are our top 5 ways of preventing winter accidents, in accordance with recently issued guidance from the HSE: 

  1. Identify all the areas used by pedestrians and employees most likely to be affected, including walkways and/or car parks
  2. Suitably treat identified areas with grit and/or salt
  3. Monitor temperatures and weather forecasts as prevention is key
  4. Put up signage warning visitors that snow and ice is a hazard, however it must be noted that this alone is not sufficient prevention
  5. Lack of knowledge or delay will not be a defence.

Contact
If you would like to discuss your business insurance and/or risk management needs, please call your usual Perkins Slade contact, alternatively  telephone 0121 698 8000 or email: b.ramos@perkins-slade.com

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Open to the elements

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Thursday 8th December saw the worst storms the UK has seen in a decade. Schools, businesses and council offices were forced to close and more than 70,000 homes were without power.

A second storm is heading for the UK and this time the entire country looks set to suffer. Forecasters say the next severe storm is brewing in the North Atlantic and will bring with it cold air, snow and sleet as well as hurricane-strength winds from Monday evening. They say next week’s massive storm will affect the whole of the UK and will last through the whole of Tuesday and into Wednesday.

Early insurer estimates suggest the industry might be facing claims totalling about £200m. While we are yet to see the effects of the storm, there are still practical steps you can take to manage the risk to your business.

Are you prepared?

For businesses, storm damage should be one of the events considered in your business continuity plan. Preparations can be undertaken to ensure minimal damage is incurred:

  • Impact-resistant glass
  • Ensure exterior and yard items are removed or are securely tied down or stored away
  • Close all doors, particularly up-and-over type garage doors
  • Safety and communications plans are in place for employees
  • If instructed to do so turn off utilities
  • Trim back any dead or weak branches from trees.

A relevant and up-to-date plan will demonstrate to insurers and lenders that you’ve taken a proactive approach to risk management and can help stabilise the cost of your insurance in the long term.

Are you covered?

Commercial property owners should check their insurance policies to ensure cover includes storm/ flood damage. It is also advisable to review the key features of the policy including any excesses you will be expected to pay in the event of a claim. It is vital for companies to regularly review their insurance cover.

Most organisations will have material damage cover and business interruption cover but a full review of the sums insured and the indemnity period should be frequently undertaken. This isn’t just a question of insuring storm as a peril, denial of access and loss of attraction may all have an equally disastrous impact on business. If the nature of your business is complex, you may need expert advice from a specialist surveyor to review your requirements and help calculate the gross profit sum insured.

What to do if your business is affected?

  • Contact your insurer as soon as possible
  • If your property or workplace is damaged make sure the building is safe before you enter and ensure electricity and gas supplies are switched off
  • Do not use electricity or water supplies until the ‘all clear’ is given
  • Keep the numbers of people entering the building to a minimum
  • If necessary, arrange for temporary repairs to be carried out to stop any damage getting worse
  • Keep receipts, as these will be needed for your insurance claim
  • Always make your own record of damage – photograph or video record your damaged.

Contact

If you would like to discuss your business insurance and/or risk management needs, please call your usual Perkins Slade contact, alternatively  telephone 0121 698 8000 or email b.ramos@perkins-slade.com

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Beth Tweddle takes to the floor with Perkins Slade

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UNITAS Conference 2011

Our special guest, Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle @bethtweddlenews joined Richard Doubleday, Director of Sport on the sofa for a Piers Morgan-style chat, at the recent UNITAS Annual Conference #unitasconf.

Over 100 delegates from the member companies and our partner insurers came together for a full day’s conference. The event reviewed UNITAS’s work throughout 2011, and also outlined the strategy for 2012. The busy agenda also included a fantastic seminar on the use of Social Media by BigCat, Q&A session with partner insurers and the annual Achievement Award, which this year was sponsored by Chubb.

Darren Felsenstein, Credit Development Executive at Perkins Slade was runner up in the Annual Achievement Award. Darren was nominated due to his successful introduction of the BIBA Credit Management & Bonds Scheme. Commenting on his award Darren said “It was a real honour to be nominated, and to be runner up is a great achievement”.

UNITAS Alliance Ltd represents 13 of the largest and highly respected independent regional insurance brokers from across the UK.

The event closed with a charity dinner followed by the inspirational interview with Beth Tweddle, which can be viewed in full on our YouTube Channel and a raffle for Cancer Research UK, which raised an amazing £1,051.

Movember FINAL!

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Our team of 12 excelled themselves in the Movember 2011 challenge; they exceeded our revised target of £500, coming in with a whopping…£2,500!!!

The Mo Bro’s each raised sponsorship from colleagues, friends and family. This was further supported by a number of office-based initiatives to help support their fundraising, including an on-line auction, cake sales and dress down days.

The office held an awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of all who took part. The “Under Dog” award went to Nick Baker, the “Most Raised” went to Richard Doubleday, second place was awarded to Ian Elkington and first place went to a well deserving Sven Edwards. Well done to you all, we hope to see you next year!?

We would also like to personally thank Sterling for providing a case of wine, Jury’s Inn, Birmingham for donating a night’s stay, Solace Spa for a Dermalogica facial, as well as colleagues Sue Dingley and Ron Forrest for their contributions to the campaign.

If you would still like to donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/perkinsslade

Get prepared for Winter

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With the wintry conditions setting in and temperatures dropping, and forecasters again warning of a prolonged period of very cold weather, we all need to be thinking about how to protect our home from the elements.

Burst pipes can be a real problem; often causing significant damage to property with even the smallest of leaks soon becoming a torrent. 30% of the population do not know where their stopcock is located and are therefore powerless to do anything in the event of a leak.

For the elderly or the 10 million people in the UKwho suffer with arthritis the brass stopcock is almost impossible to use. This inability to control mains water in our homes has meant that insurance claims for escape of water have doubled since 1993, and escape of water is now a bigger risk for insurers than fire or burglary. During December 2010 there were over 100,000 UK insurance claims for burst pipes, at an average cost of £6,700 each.

By following some simple risk management steps you can reduce the likelihood of any such incidents:

  • Check your central heating system regularly and ensure the thermostat is working. Consider annual servicing by a registered Gas Safe engineer
  • Some new central heating systems are fitted with an anti-frost device. If your boiler is a few years old think about fitting frost thermostats to your heating system
  • Keep the heating on during freezing temperatures, even at night
  • Any exposed pipes should be lagged or suitably protected
  • Make sure you know how and where to turn off the main water supply to the property
  • Replace washers on dripping taps.

If your property will be unoccupied for a period of time:

  • Drain the central heating system and turn off your main water supply or ideally leave the central heating on low
  • Where possible get a neighbour, friend or family member to regularly check the property
  • Leave the loft access open to circulate air.

It is not always possible to prevent your pipes from freezing, or even bursting, but you can help minimise the damage:

  • Turn off your main water supply
  • If you notice a leak call a plumber immediately
  • Check for any damage to your electricity supply, if you suspect any damage have it checked out by an electrician
  • Keep a list of useful emergency numbers to hand
  • If you notice a frozen pipe slowly thaw the affected area with a gentle heat, such as a hairdryer. Never use a blow torch or open flame
  • Install a preventative solution such as a Sure Stop Water Switch. This multi-award winning device allows you to easily control your mains water supply at the flick of a switch and can be located in an accessible position such as inside a kitchen cupboard door.

By following the above steps you can help prevent damage to your property, and avoid any personal upheaval, and in the longer term, save money on your insurance premiums.

We hope you find this information helpful. To discuss the issues raised in this article, or to talk to someone in more detail about risk management, please speak to your usual Perkins Slade contact. Alternatively you can call us on 0121 698 8000 or email privateclients@perkins-slade.com

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Festive cheer or festive fear?

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As the festive period looms, many of us will be entering party mode both in our work and personal lives. It seems that in December there is a party, function or event almost every night of the week and as a result things can sometimes get a little messy. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) website states that more than 80,000 people a year need hospital treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts and burns during the festive period.

Although a party may be planned down to the finest detail such as decoration, food, drink and transport it can only take one minor mishap to ruin the whole experience. Sometimes these mishaps are covered by a business’ or venues’ public liability insurance, however, with a more robust approach to Risk Management these incidents are less likely to happen, and organisations less likely to be held accountable.

More than ever, it is important to remember that work functions are just that, and as such the employer is responsible for what happens to employees (and other attendees) whilst at work.

Employers can be held vicariously liable for the injuries sustained whilst at work functions.

Tragedy occurred in 2005 when a man was left in hospital with severe burns after several employees were playing around with chemicals at a Christmas function. Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004, both the employer and employees have a duty to act responsibly in the workplace, which does not necessarily cease at the end of a shift.

Tips for employers during the run up to the Christmas party season would include:

  • Ensure that properly drafted Policies are in place which clearly state that the organisation will not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination. Ensure that each states that the scope of the policy includes work-related social events.
  • Staff should be reminded that inappropriate behaviour at the Christmas party will not be tolerated and may be treated as a disciplinary matter in accordance with the organisation’s Disciplinary Policy.
  • Employers should be satisfied that the chosen venue fulfils their health and safety obligations to employees and is suitable for the event.
  • Any complaints made subsequent to the Christmas party should be treated seriously and investigated promptly.
  • To summarise, ultimately ensure that systems and measures are in place in advance so that you and your team can have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your party!

If you are unsure if your insurance policy covers that all important Christmas party or other event why not call Perkins Slade on 0121 698 8145 or email: b.ramos@perkins-slade.com

Alternatively contact your usual Perkins Slade representative. Our experienced team of advisors are at hand to give advice on the coverage you’ll need to ensure your event is remembered for the right reasons.

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Movember at Perkins Slade – UPDATE!

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Our team of 12 real men have embraced the Movember challenge, already smashing our original target of £250, and at the halfway point have exceeded the revised total of £500. They really are looking great, going into the second half of November.

There are clearly a few whose growth exceeds others, but this could all still change, especially when implementing some of the top tips the guys have given below:

“As a likely recipient of help from some of the Charities I felt it appropriate to do something. Additionally, I wanted to remove any doubt as to whether I’m still alive! No tips, but regular application of Hair Restoration crème ought to help!”
David Slade

“I am giving away trade secrets here, but the best known “tache” strengthener is ensuring the upper lip area is frequently dipped in a glass of Guinness (froth is best). Be sure not to inhale at the same time though as that’s how nostril hair gets there.
For the folically challenged “up top”, please note this technique does not work. It would be a terrible waste for a start, and I hear that other treatments via the pharmacist offer more effective (if less pleasurable) results.”

Des Colmey, Credit Broker

“My tip for growing a beard is do it, you will save water!”
Ross Chatterton, Private Clients Broker

“To encourage facial hair growth, I will be digesting a specialised concoction involving a mixture a water, malt, hops, and yeast!”
Dan Larkin, Corporate Deputy Manager

“My reason for taking part is that I have a number of friends who have suffered from Prostate Cancer.
Growing Tip: Before retiring for the night, smear the top lip with salt and keep a glass of water by the bedside. When the hairs on the top lip get thirsty during the night they will try and stretch out towards the water. Immediately grab hold of them and tie a knot in their base so they cannot get back into the skin! Repeat process nightly, moving the water further and further away from the hairs each time so they have further to stretch!”
Ian Crawford, People Development and Compliance Manager

Extra support is also being provided by staff member Julie Day’s husband, John Day. Thanks John!

If you would like to follow the team’s progress or to sponsor them please visit: www.justgiving.com/perkinsslade

New board appointments at Perkins Slade

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Left to right: Mark Ford, Nick Tamblyn, Julia Harrop and Aslam Ismail

Perkins Slade, one of UK’s leading independent insurance brokers, is pleased to announce three new Board appointments. With effect from 1st January 2012, Julia Harrop will take the role of Client Services Director, Mark Ford will be appointed Broking Director and Aslam Ismail will become Finance and IT Director.

Julia Harrop is FCII qualified and has been at Perkins Slade for more than five years. Julia will promote Perkins Slade’s client service strategy across all business areas with focus on setting standards and overseeing delivery.

Mark Ford has more than 22 years experience in insurance broking with roles in claims, broking and development. Mark will take company-wide responsibility for broking standards and strategic insurer relationships with active involvement in major client and prospect reviews.

Aslam Ismail has worked for Perkins Slade for more than 20 years in both finance and IT. Aslam’s board role with see him take responsibility for the financial management and control of the business while also advancing the company’s IT infrastructure.

Managing Director, Nick Tamblyn, commented,

“The new appointments put client care and broking standards at the heart of our business strategy. Along with our Chartered Broker status, the changes are another indication of the importance we place on customer service and professional excellence.”

Coach, you’re the best! The latest news on the top ten…

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58 coaches are now in the running to win the prize of £1000 of vouchers for sports equipment.

Our top ten coaches and their sports:

1st – Ice skating coach, Andrea McCully

2nd – Ice skating coach, Gillian Otterson

3rd – Rowing coach, James Wilton

4th – Rowing Coach, Seamus Reynolds

5th – Cheerleading coach, Lois Miller

6th – American football coach, Rob Lowe

7th – Gymnastics coach, Andi Revell

8th – Gymnastics coach, Debbie Saunders

9th – Cheerleading and dance coach, Roxanne Edmonds

10th – Lacrosse coach, Erin Rigby

Is your sport in the top ten? If not there’s still plenty of time to nominate and vote for your coach.

Perkins Slade arranges insurance for more than 100,000 coaches and instructors throughout the UK and we want to see as many as possible nominated.

If you’re a coach or instructor, check now to see if you’ve been nominated.

There is a drop down list on the right hand side of the ‘Coach your the best’ page that lists the names of the nominated coaches.

How to nominate a coach or instructor

If you’d like to nominate a coach or instructor, simply click on the ‘Nominate a coach’ button to email us the name of the coach, a brief post explaining why the coach is the best and a photo, if available. We can also post video clips – sending video and photos may help the coach get noticed and win more votes!

Spread the word

If you’re a coach and you haven’t been nominated yet, share this blog with your team/class members or ask them to visit www.perkins-slade.com/insurance-blog and click on the ‘Coach you’re the best logo’.

Add the Coach, you’re the best logo and link on your web site.

If you would like to feature the ‘Coach you’re the best’ logo and web link on your club or governing body web site email us with the size of logo you require.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive competition updates and visit our blog.