How can UKHSF help spaces with their insurance needs?

[idnorton]

As a hackspace co-ordinator,
I want to have a specific set of recommendations that I can use to apply for my insurance
So that I know I am covered in the event of an incident

=== Context ===

Originally this was to create the policy, working alongside an insurer.

Recent conversations on Telegram make me wonder if this is a valid approach.

I'd like to propose that we have a "flow chart" or "check list" that hackspace co-ordinators can use to make sure that they have the insurance they need.

Something along the lines of:

• We have a number of tools that can cause serious or fatal injury
• We have a welding area or other "hot-work" section of our space
• We run workshops for the general public

That kind of thing, and then if [1] gets ticked, they get told they need injury insurance (or whatever the correct term is), [2] means they need to look at their fire-safety insurance, and [3] would setup the amounts they'd need for public liability etc.

[idnorton]

This is an ongoing epic by @Axford whom we love dearly for his paperworking :)

[Axford]

lol - given lack of progress with current insurers, next steps are to refresh survey data from uk hackspaces, then formulate/issue a simple RFP

[proffalken]

Given recent conversations, it feels like this is something that needs to be picked up as a priority.

There is an individual on the Telegram chat who is looking into this for their own space and is willing to share what they come up with for further discussion.

[proffalken]

Proposal at EMF2024:

1. Create a list of "generic risks" that could apply to all spaces
2. Take that list to multiple insurers and ask them to provide yes/no whether they would cover
3. Provide a reporting platform / monthly meetings for incidents to share knowledge (and potentially make things easier to share with HSE, but this comes with a lot more discussion needed)
4. Help spaces define whether members of a space are employees/volunteers/public for insurance purposes
5. Potentially partner with insurers from (2) to provide "blanket coverage" for all hackspaces that are members AND PAYING A SUBSCRIPTION TO UKHSF (c.f. minature railway society / UK Drone Owners / etc.)
6. Create a repository for spaces to share risk assessment templates/warning signs/etc.