Emergency planning can help businesses reduce losses caused by natural disasters and resume operations quickly. The COVID-19 pandemic may require businesses to update disaster preparedness and business continuity planning. Here are five additional steps to consider when preparing your business for a hurricane, wildfire, or other natural catastrophe.
Evaluate locations where employees may shelter or meet to coordinate your disaster response to determine if there is adequate ventilation and space for social distancing.
Emergency supply kits include essentials such as non-perishable food, bottled water, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. The CDC now recommends including additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus—such as face masks and hand sanitizer. (For an emergency kit checklist, visit Ready.gov.)
Help employees prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they work to secure facilities. Allow time and space to enable social distancing and provide the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for the task.
Contractors and first responders who would normally assist in your disaster response may be delayed or unavailable because of circumstances relating to COVID-19.
Because of COVID-19, you may need to establish a virtual rather than an onsite emergency communications center. Keep in mind that disasters may knock out phone and internet service, so consider back-up plans for communications and technology failures.
Businesses can speed their recovery from a natural disaster by having a business continuity plan that lays out the steps for bringing operations back online. When reviewing your plan, you may also want to consider the following:
Learn more about preparing your business for a natural catastrophe:
This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only, and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice.
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