Aussie carpenters are faced with a number of unique risks on the job, and as with any trades work, it’s very important to know what these risks are so you can best prepare yourself for them. Once you know the risks you can plan to prevent them, put procedures in place that can assist if something does go wrong, and get the right insurance that will cover you for the risks too.
Carpenters top 3 on-the-job risks
1. Your finished product
Once you have completed a job, there is still a high chance of risk associated with it for carpenters. If the finished product causes damage or loss to the customer, they may claim for damages to compensate for this loss or to fund a replacement. For example, if a trainee performed a poor job, the work was defective, low quality materials were used, or the work did not follow building regulations, then the carpenter can be found liable for damages occurred to the client or their property as a result.
Product Liability Insurance can help to protect you against this risk. However, it is still important to ensure your staff are fully trained, that you are using materials and equipment that get the job done right and to a quality standard, and that all regulations and building codes are adhered to.
2. Other people around you
Whilst on the job, others around you pose a risk to your business, and you also pose a risk to them. In the event that your employees, or if a third party passing by is injured as a result of your work, then you could be held liable for their injuries or for damage to their property.
All Australian businesses with workers are required by law to obtain Workers Compensation Insurance, therefore this can help to cover the costs associated with worker’s injuries on the job. Public Liability Insurance is also often mandatory before entering work sites. This insurance will protect your back pocket in the case that someone makes an injury or property damage claim against your business.
To avoid these types of claims always work within strict safety guidelines, especially on work sites. Be aware of those around you, wear and promote the wear of protective gear, train staff well when it comes to using dangerous tools and lifting heavy planks of wood, and determine on-site risks before commencing work each day.
3. Fire
It’s only logical that working with wood means there is a high risk of fire, especially as carpenters are manipulating, cutting, grinding, and storing wood products daily.
The highest risk of fire occurs when wood chips, dust, wood shavings, and planks of wood are around the work site or stored, especially with chemicals or paints. Ensure to always clear away your wood dust or debris to decrease the chance of ignition. It’s also important to keep flammable liquids away from wood stores in order to prevent the chance of explosion and fire too.
Always keep an extinguisher handy in case of sparks igniting your materials, as well as onsite where you store your products. Once started, a small fire can spread very rapidly through highly flammable wood and can be fueled by co-stored solvents, chemicals, lacquers, adhesives or paint.
Material Damage insurance can assist with protecting your business in the case that you do experience a fire that damages your wood products.
At All Trades Cover we provide quotes to carpenters every day. In fact, carpenters are one of the biggest groups of tradies we cover. We can help you find the right package to suit your particular business. Call All Trades Cover on 1300 826 850 to chat to our helpful team today.
