Expert advice: reassessing salon safety after riots

The recent riots have caused many businesses to look again at how well their property and staff are protected in the event of a crisis. Lawyer Julian Sampson offers the following advice to salon owners wanting to stay safe.

• Review insurance documents (especially anything relating to plate glass): it is often the case for commercial premises that the liability for plate glass and general buildings is split. Also ensure you have appropriate risks covered in the terms - some will have riots excluded.

• Where appropriate, review your lease: you may well recall entering what is called a fully repairing and insuring lease. If this is the case, there may be an obligation to reinstate the premises irrespective of insurance coverage. If you rely on the landlord to insure and reinstate then there should be a clause suspending rent pending this.

• Review your contracts of employment: it is perfectly reasonable to expect salaries not to be paid if employment cannot be offered because the salon is inoperable.

• Review any hire purchase (HP) terms on larger items: are you able to suspend payment, or even cancel the contract if the item is unworkable or stolen.
  
  

• Review employers liability from a health and safety perspective: be sure that the salon is a safe place to work and be aware that salon owner obligations extend both inside and travelling to the salon.