Contractors general liability insurance can be just what you need as a contractor. Working on a busy construction site can create tense and stressful situations. Standing your ground can often lead to altercations. Will your contractors general liability insurance protect you if and when these turn ugly?
As a Contractor, hard-headedness might work to your advantage or against you. Here are 3 instances where your stubbornness could cause altercations with other contractors:
Scope Changes
All construction activities are interdependent. This means that the works of another Contractor are likely to affect your work directly or indirectly. Instances may occur where the changes in works or contract of another contractor increase the scope of your own works.
For instance, if there are changes in concrete works, leading to an increase in the floor area of the constructed building, the area covered by the roofing will automatically increase. This consequently increases the work of the roofing contractor. Reworks from poor workmanship and questionable quality by another contractor cause such changes.
Changes are inevitable on construction sites, and therefore scope changes are a common source of disputes and confrontations between contractors on site, especially if not carried out through the proper channels.
How to avoid trouble on the construction site
As a contractor, prevent and solve such disputes, simply by following the correct change management procedures indicated in your contract. Measure, cost and report any variations affecting your contracted works and submit them for approval before embarking on any activities.
Insurance against negligence claims
There is always the possibility of facing litigation relating to your negligence or quality of work. In instances like these, you will be grateful to have included Professional Liability in your insurance coverage. Sometimes called Errors and Omissions (E&O) coverage, it is insurance designed to defend and pay claims against actions taken that stem from your professional capacity and training.
E&O insurance helps protect your contracting business from bearing the full cost of defending against a negligence claim made by a client.
Poor Planning
Lack of proper planning, organization, coordination, and poor communication by both management and contractors may result in conflicts and disputes on the construction site. Take, for example, an instance where two contractors concurrently need the same limited resources available.
This will certainly lead to conflicts between the two contractors as to which contractor is given priority in the allocation of that resource, and contractors may require compromises.
To avoid such situations, it is important for every contractor to submit their schedules and list of required resources to the contractor in advance of the work planned, for approval. Proper planning and coordination should thereafter be carried out by both the general contractor and the respective contractors to ensure resource availability and leveling of resources efficiently, as per the main program of works.
Occupational Health and Safety
Health and safety are the responsibilities of all contractors on site. Negligence on the part of one contractor may result in injuries, not only for themselves but also for every other contractor on site. Disregard of occupational health and safety standards and practices on site, often contribute majorly to disputes among contractors. If a contractor on site suffers bodily injury or property damage as a result of the negligent practices of another contractor, claims, and disputes for compensation may arise.
As a contractor, pushing for the right occupational health and safety standards on site may require a high level of hardheadedness. Don’t make compromises when it comes to safety on site, since the effects may be fatal. Follow the correct safety protocol and report any defiant contractors to the general contractor for action.
The right contractors general liability insurance
Your contractors insurance policy will cover bodily injury to a third party. This includes other contractors, the client and visitors to the site. However, it does not include bodily injury to your employees. This is covered by Workers Compensation.
A Workers’ Compensation policy covers not only your employees for accidents, injuries and sickness associated with their position, it also covers you for Employers’ Liability. The employers’ Liability covers you, as an employer, for negligence that results in injury to your staff.
Is a Hard Head a Good Thing on a Building Site?
Are you a contractor or construction business looking for cheap contractors general liability insurance? If so, our insurance team at ContractorsLiability.com is ready to answer your questions. We’ll provide you with a free quote as well. Contact ContractorsLiability.com or call us at (866) 225-1950 for a free 5-minute quote.