Premises liability exposures at the contractor's office are generally limited due to lack of public access. If there is a showroom, clients can slip or fall, or be injured by falling displays.
Off-site exposures are limited. Tools, supplies and scrap all pose trip hazards even when not in use. If there is work at heights, falling tools or supplies may cause bodily injury or property damage if dropped from ladders and scaffolding. Removal of old paint or wall coverings may involve scraping, chemical applications, or sandblasting which can damage other property of the client. The job may require the removal of old lead-based paint.
Products and completed operations liability exposures are low as improper installation is unlikely to cause extensive damage. Environmental impairment liability exposure is limited unless the paperhanger removes and disposes of lead-based paints.
Workers compensation exposures vary based on the size and nature of the job. Work with hand tools and sharp objects such as box cutters used to cut and trim wall coverings can result in cuts and piercings. Back injuries, hernias, sprains and strains can result from lifting, bending, or handling wallpaper at awkward angles.
Workers can experience lung, eye or skin irritations and reactions because of exposure to chemicals used to strip and clean surfaces and to adhesives used to apply wall coverings. When work is done on ladders and scaffolds, there is a potential for severe injury or death from falling or being struck by falling objects. Casual labor and high turnover may be a problem, especially in the preparation and cleanup work.
Property exposures are generally limited to an office and storage for supplies, tools and vehicles unless there is a showroom and stock held for sale. Wallpaper is susceptible to damage by fire, smoke, moisture, humidity and weather perils. Theft exposure is usually low.
Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty. Background checks, including criminal history, should be performed on all employees providing services to customers or handling money. All ordering, billing and disbursement should be handled as separate duties with reconciliations occurring regularly.
Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the paperhanger offers credit to customers, contractors' equipment and tools, goods in transit, installation floater, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. The equipment may be limited to rollers and other hand tools, or may include ladders or scaffolding. During installation, the materials are subject to loss or damage by fire, theft, contamination/damage by employees of other contractors, vandalism, and weather-related perils.
Commercial auto exposures are generally limited to transporting workers, equipment, and materials to and from job sites. MVRs must be run on a regular basis. Random drug and alcohol testing should be conducted. Vehicles must be well maintained with records kept in a central location.