How to handle the legal aspects of owning a small business?

How to handle the legal aspects of owning a small business? Owning a small business has several legalities that if a business owner is not careful, they can end up in lawsuits or worse.

What type of business are you planning on going into? This is a very important question when it comes to what the legalities that are involved will be. Here are some of the basic legal concerns that you will have to look at for your business.

#1 Health and Safety

The concern for the health and safety for the public, and your employees will be one of your first major concerns. There are both ethical and legal responsibilities for health and safety.

Your business may need to be registered with your local Health and Safety Authority.

Here are some questions that you will likely find you will need to answer through the local Health and Safety Authority.

a. Do you have employees that work for you?
b. Is your business the operation of a factory?
c. Is your company following he safety guidelines that are set by the Health and Safety Authority?
d. Are you operating a shop?
e. Is your business an office?
f. Do you have a written statement of your policies, procedures, and health and safety policy?
g. Do you have more than five employees that work for your company?
h. Do you have a safety committee?
i. Are you recording all of your safety issues, injuries etc?
j. Do you have enough of your staff trained in the case of a first aid need?
k. Do you have a current Liability Insurance certificate?
l. Are you aware of the fire and industry safety hazards?

This information will not only help you be aware of the legal aspects of safety and health for your business, but it will also make it easier for your business to run in a safer way.

#2 Employees

You will need to make sure that you are following the safety, employment and age laws regarding your employees. If you are going to take over an existing business, then you will need to maintain the policies and procedures along with the right practices that are accompanying the purchasing of the business.

The local Employment Commission will have some information for your to stay within the necessary limitation of your business.

#3 Property and buildings

It will be necessary to find out what the building codes are for the are you are going to be operating from. This way you will not have problems with fines, and other rebuilding issues.

#4 Fair Trading

The Office of Fair Trading will be important for making sure that you are staying within the current laws for trades.

#5 Licensing and insurance

It will be necessary to make sure that you have the correct licenses and insurance for your small business. This can be done through the Business License Division, and your insurance agency.

#6 Patents, copyrights, and other ways to protect the work you do and the work others do will be necessary. There are several ways to find out if a name, or design has been used. The best place to start is through your local patent office.

The best thing you will be able to do for yourself and your business, is to have an attorney go over all of your business documentation, and plans. Then also have that attorney available if you have further questions. This is how to handle the legal aspects of owning a small business. It will be up to you, to make sure your business is safe from fines, and lawsuits.