Is your business ready for these summer risks?
For many businesses, summer offers a considerable amount of new business opportunities. However, along with these new possibilities come various risks. While having the right small business insurance can help you protect against any threats that your business faces, it also helps to know what summer has in store for your company. Here are some of the risks that you should be on the lookout for this summer.
Heat-Related Illness
If your business operations require your employees to work outdoors, then this significantly increases their risk for heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If untreated, heat stroke could prove deadly, so it’s important to keep an eye out for employees demonstrating the early signs of heat exhaustion. Some of the symptoms include rapid heartbeat, skin that is dry and hot to the touch, excessive sweating, throbbing headache, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. You can help your employees protect themselves by encouraging them to drink lots of water, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, and take frequent breaks out of the sun.
Sunburn and Skin Cancer
Sunburn can actually be far more dangerous than you think. Oftentimes, exposure to direct sunlight can actually result in blistering skin and second-degree burns. To make matters worse, sunburn is usually only the start of more serious skin problems. Prolonged sun exposure can actually result in various types of life threatening skin cancers. If your employees will be working outside, then it’s important that they wear a high SPF sunscreen that they reapply routinely. Additionally, you should encourage your workers to wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Finally, you should try to schedule outside work early in the day and rotate your workers’ duties to minimize their sun exposure.
Power Outages
Rising temperatures can also increase the chances of experiencing a power outage. A lightning strike or an overloaded power grid can fry electronics that aren’t safeguarded by a surge protector. If your business relies on plugged-in electronics or appliances (such as computers, refrigerators, etc.), then it’s important to make sure that you have them plugged into a surge protector. Additionally, your business should also have a backup power source to ensure that a power outage does not interrupt normal business operations.
These are some of the risks that your business faces this summer. Remember, one of the best ways to protect your company is by having the proper small business insurance in place. For assistance with your commercial insurance needs, turn to the experts at PMC Insurance Group. Contact us today to learn more about getting competitive coverage for your small business clients.
