No matter your industry, there is the possibility that inclement weather or natural disasters might negatively impact your business. Preparation is a key way to prevent your business from having to close down, whether for a few hours or indefinitely, because of the effects of bad weather.
Create a Plan
You want to create an evacuation plan for your employees, as well as set up safe spots within the building for sheltering from storms when applicable. Additionally, you need emergency kits on hand that include first aid kits, non-perishable food, flashlights, water, and other necessities incase disaster hits.
In addition to creating a plan for your employees, you also want to have a plan for your property, including your digital property and intellectual property. You can hire someone to assess your risk and develop the best ways to mitigate it.You might also want to have some type of electrical backup, such as a generator, in place to ensure you can continue to work even if the weather interrupts the electricity or internet.
Monitor the Weather
You might find it beneficial to monitor the weather from your location using a professional weather station. This provides accurate, up to the minute information about the threat to your specific location. You can also have a lightning detection sensor, which works well for businesses that become unsafe during lightning storms, such as construction work.
Insure Your Business
Prevention has the potential to greatly reduce the impact of inclement weather on your business. However, there might come a time where despite your efforts to keep your business safe, disaster happens. Therefore, you want to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your business. Options include:
- Property insurance that covers certain equipment, documents, and structures
- Specific weather insurance, such as flood, earthquakes, or hurricanes
- Business interruption coverage to reimburse loss income
Taking some time to come up with a plan and then monitoring the weather will go a long way in mitigating the risks to your business from bad weather. For more information, take a look at the Earth Networks website.
