As businesses are allowed to reopen there are new operational risks to identify, mitigate, and where possible, eliminate. The issues are diverse and are not always tied to COVID 19 exposures.

Risk identification during COVID-19 requires a fresh look at risks that may have developed during the shutdown, be they building, people, compliance, or future supply lines. Such risks threaten financial and reputational well-being of your business. A list below addresses some of the key areas to focus your initial risk identification and control for your business.

Buildings — Risks that may affect closed buildings

• Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, equipment and tools
• Identifying mold or moisture in fabrics, HVAC systems, or building finishes
• HVAC system contaminants such as pests or Legionella in condensers/water storage
• Potable water refresh or cleaning

Compliance — Risks due to existing or new compliance

• Re-opening requirements placed on all or specific businesses from state and local government
• Existing and new OSHA or State OSHA enforcement guidelines
• Reporting COVID-19 hospitalization and death to OSHA where arising out of employment

Employees — Risks to and from the workforce

• Redesigning work to meet “physical distancing” requirements including staffing levels, traffic flow in buildings, choke points, and workflow without creating new risks
• Use of personal protection for employee to employee interaction and employee to public interaction
• New and returning employee levels of knowledge regarding new work methods
• New risks due to facial coverings such as heat illness and personal health impacts

Public — Risks from contact and interaction with the public

• Redesigning physical space where meeting the public, vendors or invited guests
• Creating new methods for delivery of product or services
• Creating new communication methods
• Educating the public for their and employee protections

Resources — Risks from interrupted supply lines

• Employee transportation challenges
• Interruption of raw materials
• Interruption of components or funding
• Unavailability of employee and public personal protection/disinfection materials

While not all businesses have been fully closed and not all will face every risk, it is time for a fresh look to ensure that your business, employees, and customers are safe.

This article was co-authored by Mark Hemmendinger of AcceptableRisk. Mark is a risk management consultant who works with G2 on large Enterprise Risk Management projects. He can be reached at 415.310.5415.

For more information, please contact Al Fine, Director of Risk Management, at 415.426.6688 or afine@G2insurance.com.