With the recent Sky City Convention Centre fire a hot topic (ha ha) now is a good time to highlight the expectations insurers generally have around hot work claims.

There are far too many examples of trade firms being penalised for not following the right processes when dealing with an employment dispute. Regardless of the merit of the dispute, if you don’t follow the right procedures, you could be in trouble. Even with the best processes in place you may at some point have to deal with a disgruntled employee and have to face the Employment Relations Authority. At the very least you will need to engage professional legal services to help you through a dispute.

Builders can be liable for mistakes made by their subbies or consultants, whose terms of trade often limit their liability. It is wishful thinking in the extreme to assume someone else’s insurance will protect you, even if you’re only liable because of their mistake.