Risk & Business Magazine Benson Kearley Risk & Business Magazine Summer | Page 8

BEYOND THE BAR BY: ERIC DAVIDSON, BENSON KEARLEY IFG Know Your Risk: Beyond The Bar A tragedy occurred at the Shores of Erie International Wine Festival some years ago when an underage worker was given access to alcohol and later died in a single-car crash. Her blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was nearly twice the legal limit. • Following this tragedy, insurance companies throughout Canada became understandably hesitant to provide liquor liability coverage for these venues and events, only doing so if strict controls were in place. The Canadian government has since cracked down hard on venues, bartenders and others serving alcohol, with regulations designed to limit underage drinking and shut down service to inebriated patrons. The regulations fall into three categories: behind the bar, the bar itself and in front of the bar. • BEHIND THE BAR: A long list of requirements is now in effect, starting with the basics of having a liquor licence and Smart Serve licences for every server. Other requirements include the following: 8 • • • • Having at least one server that is first- aid certified Requiring ID for anyone under age twenty-five Ensuring an adequate number of servers for the number of patrons Declining service to anybody that is intoxicated Providing a maximum of two drinks per customer at one time Storing alcohol beyond the reach of patrons THE BAR ITSELF: The bar must be suitably structured and equipped to serve alcohol, with a few additional provisions including the following: • • • • Sufficient disposal receptacles Appropriate lighting Drink containers that conform to site or event specifications Bar area that is clean and clutter-free IN FRONT OF THE BAR: These regulations generally concern the physical setup of the bar area as well as security within the venue and include the following: • Making nonalcoholic drinks available, including water • Locating the drink ticket booth (if any) away from the bar itself • Ensuring proper security for large events • Allowing space around the bar to facilitate the free flow of patrons Liquor liability is becoming required for venues and events where alcohol is served. Whether your event is one day or one week, ensuring you have the proper risk management steps in place is just as important as having the proper insurance coverage. Regardless of who you choose to represent you in purchasing a liquor liability policy, make sure having a conversation with an insurance broker is part of your planning process. + Eric Davidson is a Program Specialist in the Sports Protect & EventInsure programs. Please feel free to reach out to EventInsure directly at [email protected] or 1-800-463-6503.