New legislation could dial down insurance costs Creative HEAD Magazine

The legislation, which came into effect over the summer, aims for more balanced liability between business owners and visitors

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

The reformed ‘duty of care’ legislation, which became law on 31 June, could mean lower insurance costs for salons across Ireland. It aims to establish a more balanced level of responsibility between business owners, including salon owners, and those that visit the business, when it comes to safety.

The legislative reform, which is an amendment to the Occupiers Liability Act 1995, could be good news for salon owners keen to avoid insurance claims and rising costs as it requires that customers exert a reasonable level of care for their own safety and be responsible for their own actions first and foremost.

While the rights of the visitor remain protected as “businesses, community groups and organisers of events” still need to “fulfil their duty of care responsibilities”. According to the government website, the amendments do “allow for a broader circumstance where it can be shown that a visitor or recreational user has voluntarily assumed a risk”.

“The commencement of this legislation marks an important step in our efforts to make insurance more available and cheaper,” said Minister McEntee.