When one runs a business that caters to members of the public, as is the case for professional massage therapists and bodyworkers, it is crucial to take certain basic steps to ensure a safe practice and property. Fortunately, there are a number of fairly simple ways to limit the possibility of injuries, accidents, losses and damages that might occur in your session room, practice space and on the property where your massage therapy or bodywork business exists.

What you choose to do to secure a safe area for yourself and your clients will depend on your particular working situation. For instance, the steps taken by a person who runs a practice with several employees will be different from the steps taken by the massage therapist or bodyworker who runs a solo business.

If you do happen to manage a business where there are other employees, it may be important to create an employee handbook that lays out the basic guidelines and rules for creating a safe and secure work environment. For example, you likely will want to make sure everyone knows their role in keeping all walkways both inside and outside of the business free from obstacles or material that could cause an accident.

This means materials blocking walkways or loose rugs that could cause a trip. It also means an employee should know when and how to sweep, scrape or otherwise clean off the driveway, parking lot or sidewalks. Knowing when and how to lock the necessary doors and turn on and off an alarm system also may be a key component of safety and security to be featured in any employee manual.

Of course, if you work alone in a private practice, it will be up to you to make sure all these guidelines are met, whether there is a manual or not. Among the other rules that would likely apply to massage therapists and bodyworkers, whether working alone or in a group practice, would be scheduling new clients with a bit of extra time in order to complete an intake form. Such a form should provide you with important details, including any allergies, aversions or previous injuries for that individual client.

Armed with such knowledge, you may be able to better avoid the possibility of a malpractice claim. However, there is one major “safety net” step that should be taken by all professional massage therapists and bodyworkrers, as it is simply a tenet of business—enroll in a high quality massage therapy liability insurance program.

For a small annual fee, signing up for such an insurance policy will provide the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are covered for all those “just in case” scenarios. A strong massage therapy liability insurance policy should offer several forms of protection for various situations, including malpractice coverage, product liability coverage, general liability coverage, reimbursement for lost or stolen property and more.

With good safety and security guidelines in place for you and any employees you may have, you are taking the proper precautions that come with running a business. With massage therapy insurance on your side as well, you can rest even easier.