Unattended working – are you covered?

As a print business owner, there may be occasions when you need to leave your machinery running overnight to meet deadlines and production targets. However, unattended processes can pose a significant risk of fire, which is why many insurance policies exclude coverage for overnight and unattended working. At Howden, we understand the importance of meeting production targets and offer coverage for overnight working as standard, subject to meeting certain criteria.

Our policies can cover machinery that is left running overnight once agreed by insurers, provided that appropriate safety features are in place to prevent any accidents or fires. We understand that machinery downtime can have a significant impact on your business, which is why we offer comprehensive coverage to ensure that you’re protected against any losses.

It’s important to note that a drop in oil levels or other anomalies can result in fires in electrical discharge machining (EDM) equipment. Additionally, a single spark can cause a flash fire in any machining operation where coolant oil or oil vapor is present. To mitigate these risks, a supplementary fire suppression system can be installed to guard against machine fires causing a catastrophe. While the cost of these systems may seem high, they represent only a small percentage of the cost of investment in the machinery and can provide invaluable protection for your business.

We know you have queries about unattended working coverage for print businesses, so we hope these FAQs provide the answers:

1. Why is overnight working coverage important for print businesses? Overnight working coverage allows print businesses to meet production targets and deadlines, even if that means leaving machinery running overnight. This coverage can ensure you’re protected against any losses that may arise from unattended processes.
2. What safety features must be in place for overnight working coverage? To be covered for overnight working, appropriate safety features must be in place to prevent any accidents or fires. This may include fire suppression systems, smoke detectors, and other safety measures.
3. What are the risks of leaving machinery running overnight? Leaving machinery running overnight can pose a significant risk of fire, particularly if there are any anomalies or a drop in oil levels. Flash fires can also occur in machining operations where coolant oil or oil vapor is present.
4. What is a supplementary fire suppression system? A supplementary fire suppression system is designed to detect and extinguish fires quickly, before they can cause significant damage. These systems can be installed on machinery to guard against machine fires causing a catastrophe.
5. How can Howden help my print business with overnight working coverage? At Howden, we offer specialised insurance policies for print businesses that include coverage for overnight working, subject to meeting certain criteria. We can work with you to assess your unique risks and provide the right coverage options for your business.

For more information, call 0330 008 8760 to speak to a dedicated member of our Print team or alternatively, request a quote or call back by clicking here.