How precautionary building maintenance can help with your risk

Buildings that are not maintained regularly will deteriorate in condition resulting in an increased risk of damage, insurance loss, business interruption, injury and prosecution. Remedial work costs are also likely to be substantially more.

Proactive building maintenance will not only ensure buildings remain in acceptable condition but will reduce the potential for damage, loss, injury and prosecution.

Precautions

• Introduce regular and systematic internal and external inspections of the premises. Frequency of inspections will vary depending on the use, location, age and construction of the buildings. A log of all inspections and remedial works should be kept.

• If suitably trained and competent persons are not available within your staff, then contract the services of suitable competent contractors to inspect, assess conditions and if necessary carry out remedial works.

• Inspections should include: building fabric (roofs, walls, floors, chimneys, lightning  conductor,  rainwater goods, fascias, soffits, windows, doors and steps), perimeter walls/fences, yard areas, walkways/pavements, fire escape routes, bulk fuel supplies and associated pipework, external lighting, vegetation and trees.

• Ensure all contractors coming onto your premises are controlled and supervised by use of Permit to Work systems, risk assessment and method statements depending on the nature of the work.

•Ensure any employees instructed to carry out such maintenance work are provided with suitable training including an assessment of the risks and introduction of suitable controls measures for the task.

• Ensure electrical installations and equipment are inspected, tested and maintained.

• Ensure heating systems are maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ recommendations.

• Ensure all gas systems (including appliances, pipework, valves, regulators and meters) are installed, maintained, serviced and inspected by a ‘Gas Safe’ approved contractor.

• Ensure all extraction and ventilation systems are inspected and tested by a competent person/contractor at least every 14 months.

• Ensure all pressure systems are included within a written scheme of examination as required by law.

• Ensure all lifting equipment is included within a written scheme of examination as required by law.

• Ensure emergency lighting and fire safety systems are routinely tested, inspected and maintained.

•Manage Asbestos within the premises.

•Manage the risk of Legionella within water systems within the premises.

More information about how we can help manage your risk, can be found here

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