Disaster Preparedness for the Businesses |
Why bother? Disasters don't happen here.
Even if you think you are not in a disaster-prone area, something like a
chemical tanker truck overturning can prevent you and your employees from
getting to your facility. Even if a flood doesn't put your business under water,
customers and supplies may not be able to get to you.
Power outages, brown-outs or surges can affect your daily business operations. Many disasters, like wind storms, tornadoes and earthquakes, can strike quickly and with little or no warning.
What can I do?
Find out which natural and technological hazards can happen in your area. Get
information about how to prepare your employees and clients to respond to
possible hazards and provide help. Disaster safety information and
CPR/First Aid
Training are available from the Milford Chapter (203) 874-2531.
Network with others who have or need to develop risk or contingency management
plans. Attend seminars and get information from local risk management
associations or chapters.
Disaster Recovery Begins Before a Disaster
No business should risk operating without a disaster plan. While reports
vary, as many as 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major
disaster like a flood, tornado or earthquake. These shuttered businesses were
unprepared for a disaster; they had no plan or backup systems.
When you start to develop your disaster plan, consider three subjects: human resources, physical resources and business continuity. Think about how a disaster could affect your employees, customers and workplace. Think about how you could continue doing business if the area around your facility is closed or streets are impassable. Think about what you would need to serve your customers even if your facility is closed.
Start building your plan now.
Here are some suggestions your may want to consider:
For more information, call the Milford Chapter (203) 874-2531.
Reduce Potential Damage
Prevent or reduce disaster damage in your facility by taking precautions, such
as-
You should also consider having a professional install-
Protect Your Employees, Customers and Business
Designate one employee from each work shift to be the safety coordinator. This
person will make all decisions relating to employee and customer safety and to
the safety of the business itself. Safety coordinators should know how to
contact the owner or operator at all times.
Everyone in your facility should know how to prepare for a disaster and what to do if a disaster occurs. Contact the Milford Chapter for specific information about how to stay safe in a tornado, earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane or other hazard.