AUSTRALIA’S largest glass replacement company, O’Brien Glass, recently warned the business community that glass in buildings which is not compliant with the most recent glass building code, AS 1288, poses a serious threat to business.
“It is not something you would normally worry about but there is a growing trend towards compensation litigation by the public for injuries sustained on commercial premises,” O’Brien executive Duncan Ross said.
“The code was revised in 1994 but much of the glass in premises was installed many years ago, generally by somebody else.
“But if there is an accident in your shop where a customer is injured by glass that does not comply with the code, your public liability insurance may well be void.
‘Depending on how serious the injuries are, a successful damages claim could put a small business out of business.”
Mr Ross said there were two critical issues property owners and business proprietors should address: Firstly, if you are having replacement glazing done because of breakage of a shop window, restaurant glass or in am office environment, make sure you get proof the glazing meets the code. Secondly, check the existing building glass on your premises to ensure it meets the current code regulations.
Call O’Brien Glass on 13 16 16 for more information.