Loss Prevention and Control

While controlling and preventing losses is not always easy, it is the best course of action. Our advice on preventing and controlling risk is designed to assist clients to protect the property under their care, as well as the safety and health of persons who use their premises.

No matter how careful we are, losses cannot be totally eliminated. Understanding hazards and taking proper safety measures will help keep losses to a minimum, as will a detailed Risk Management Program.

What role does insurance play?

Insurance is a form of risk management where you undertake to transfer part of the financial risk to another party in the event of an accident or loss. You must not rely on insurance entirely, as there are costs that cannot be claimed against an insurance policy, such as excess on a claim or the cost of labour in finding a repairer. Avoiding a claim by reducing its potential should be your first course of action.

Do you have a Risk Management program?

A Risk Management Program should be in place, with a comprehensive checklist. Use the checklist for a monthly inspection of your property to ensure any necessary repairs are identified and completed. Each inspection should be signed by the responsible person, then the document kept for records and evidence.

Know your risks

Fire and fire hazards

What are the most common causes of fire?

The following hazards can result in a serious fire. Awareness of these and a conscious effort to control them (where possible) will reduce the possibility of a fire.

Heating systems misuses: defective or overloading of equipment when attempting to heat a facility or building in a short time.
Incinerators: burning rubbish.
Electrical Faults: arcing in motors or faulty wiring, and equipment left switched on.
Smoking: cigarette butts not correctly extinguished.
Lightning: common cause of many fires.
Grass: long or dry grass around the property.
Arson: an increasing problem.
Housekeeping: flammable rubbish and unwanted items in or around the buildings.

Download your complete fire prevention checklist here

Theft and vandalism

One of the greatest challenges faced by any organisation is protecting the valuable assets they own. Thieves target anything from electronic equipment like laptops, digital cameras, data projectors to items stored in sheds like ride on mowers, tools and equipment. You must ensure all employees are vigilant in adhering to basic procedures in order to protect valuable assets.

Our checklist is a good starting point.

Download your complete theft and vandalism checklist here

Storm and weather protection

Extreme weather events are a major contributor to insurance claims - and global warming predictions suggest they will become more frequent and intense. However, most damage from inclement weather invariably relates to the poor maintenance and management of property.

Our checklist is a good starting point.

Download your complete storm and weather protection checklist here

Public liability

We have all seen media reports of accidents due to negligence and the personal injury and property damage as a result, causing pain and suffering to individuals and often, large court awards.

It is essential that accidents in this area be controlled and kept to a minimum.

The law of liability is so broad that it is not possible to supply a complete checklist. However, we recommend you use the following checklist is a guide.

Download your Public Liability checklist here

IMPORTANT: Loss Prevention and Control is primarily concerned with preloss consideration, not post loss ‘patching up’. Loss Prevention and Control is as the name states, identification and evaluation of risks before they become losses.

It is necessary to carry out the ongoing role of risk identification and evaluation to protect and prevent personal injury and suffering before the damage or injury occurs. Investigation should be undertaken into your State’s Work Health & Safety Act requirements to ensure the environment for which they are responsible is not in breach of this Act.