Safety & Compliance Checklist

This isn’t the glamorous part of an opening, but it’s the part that prevents real problems. Treat safety, insurance, and approvals as opening basics — as non-negotiable as power and Wi-Fi.

What it’s for

To make sure the boring-but-critical items are actually handled before employees arrive: the building will let your vendors in, life safety works, and you know what to do if something goes wrong.

The checklist

Insurance & approvals

• Vendor certificates of insurance (COIs) collected and approved (COI Tracker)
• Additional insured language correct
• Building access approvals confirmed

Life safety

• Fire / life safety items in place (extinguishers, alarms, exit signs)
• Evacuation routes clear and posted
• First-aid supplies on site
• Required inspections passed / scheduled

People & process

• Emergency contacts compiled (Emergency Contact Sheet)
• ADA / accessibility issues identified and addressed
• Hazard reporting + incident response process defined
• Final readiness walk done, with photos

Tips

• Don’t assume the building’s got it. Confirm who owns each life-safety item — you or the landlord.
• Accessibility is opening-critical. A path someone can’t use isn’t a usable office.
• Photograph the final state. A dated record protects you if anything’s questioned later.

See the full workstream: Compliance, Insurance, Health & Safety.