Preparing Businesses for Natural Disasters

Last Updated on April 12, 2023

Protecting your employees and workspace is pivotal to running a business smoothly, and nature is one of the largest threats to businesses that cannot be overlooked. Natural disasters come in many forms and can occur when you least expect them. For this reason, businesses must take the necessary precautions to prepare for each type.

WHAT NATURAL DISASTERS DO BUSINESSES ENCOUNTER?

Before you can work to protect your business from natural disasters, it’s important to be fully aware of each type that can occur. While certain disasters tend to be more common in specific areas — California, for example, is generally more prone to earthquakes and wildfires — you should prepare for virtually any natural disaster regardless of your location. Remember that it’s always better to overprepare than to risk the safety of your employees.

Here are some common types of natural disasters a business could potentially encounter:

• Earthquakes: With about 20,000 earthquakes happening around the globe every year, it’s more important than ever for businesses to plan for them.
• Hurricanes: It’s particularly important to prepare your workplace for a hurricane if your business is located in a coastal area.
• Floods: While eastern, southern and midwestern states tend to be most at risk for flooding, businesses everywhere need to be thoroughly prepared.
• Tornadoes or severe winds: Despite being more common in the central plains of North America, tornadoes have been known to occur in every U.S. state. For this reason, each business should have a solid plan set in stone.

PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM NATURAL DISASTERS

To protect your business from a natural disaster, it’s important to consider all aspects of preparation — formulating a plan beforehand, staying safe during the disaster and determining the next steps after the disaster has occurred. While every business has its own ways of approaching this process, here are four general areas that should be addressed:

1. CREATE A DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN

It’s impossible to prevent natural disasters from happening in the first place. However, you can create a disaster response plan to help protect your business as much as possible. This helps ensure the safety of your employees and allows them to feel more at ease when disaster strikes. Formulate a detailed plan based on factors such as the location and structure of your workplace. Here are a few things to consider when creating your disaster plan:

SEEKING SHELTER

Locating the safest areas in your workplace beforehand can help prepare you for a disaster if one occurs. Some areas that can provide safe, effective shelter are large storage rooms or closets. If your workplace building has a basement, it is recommended that you seek shelter there, especially during a tornado. Keep away from windows and glass doors that could potentially shatter. Additionally, try to avoid the corners of rooms, as this is where debris can accumulate.

ASSEMBLING A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT

A business can prepare for a natural disaster by gathering supplies and assembling a kit to store in the workplace. A disaster supplies kit is especially useful if you and your employees are sheltered for a long duration of time.

You might consider including items such as non-perishable foods, water, flashlights and batteries. Remember to keep a first aid kit along with your supplies, as you never know when you might need it. You may also want to keep a portable radio handy to stay informed about news and updates related to the disaster.

SAFEKEEPING DOCUMENTS AND BACKING UP FILES

Protecting valuable workplace items is a good way to prepare for a natural disaster that you feel might affect your business. For example, you can scan important tax records like tax returns, W-2s and other paper documents to convert into electronic format. Remember to back up other important electronic files on work computers for safekeeping as well.

PRACTICING EMERGENCY DRILLS AT WORK

Consistently practicing workplace emergency drills will prepare your employees and help them understand the proper procedure during a natural disaster. They should recognize emergency alarms and familiarize themselves with these sounds. If an emergency requires immediate evacuation, employees should know the exit routes in the building. Try to practice emergency drills with your employees every few months or so.

2. FORM A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Natural disasters are known to elicit chaos, and it’s easy to feel frightened in such situations. However, one of the most important things to remind your employees is to stay calm. Maintaining constant communication with each other is vital to keeping things orderly and making sure everyone is safe. To determine the most practical ways of staying in contact with those inside and outside of the team’s operations, developing a solid communication plan for your business is essential.

It’s a good idea to establish a telecommunications system for emergencies. Additionally, it is recommended that you use backup forms of communication that don’t rely on electricity, such as walkie-talkies or cell phones.

3. ESTABLISH AN INSURANCE PLAN

A business can protect itself from natural disasters by first assessing any potential damage. This is where insurance coverage can be factored into your business’s initial disaster plan. Should a natural disaster occur, insurance can help cover the costs of repairing any damage.

When creating this insurance plan, think about your business in terms of its location and possible risk. Is your business located near a body of water? Is the surrounding area prone to flooding? While it’s a good idea to prepare for any disaster, it’s also important to be aware of specific disasters that are most likely to affect your location. Try to plan for these as accurately as possible.

4. FIND POWER SOLUTIONS

With a natural disaster, a power outage is almost inevitable. For this reason, it’s advisable to install a backup power source, such as a portable generator, for your business space. Portable energy is an effective solution for natural disaster-caused outages, as it can restore power for lights and communication systems. In an urgent situation where emergency response teams must be contacted, this technology is especially crucial.

USE PORTABLE ENERGY PRODUCTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

At Trystar, our portable and industrial power products provide easy and effective distribution of power. We manufacture our products to last and ensure a safe connection, protecting your business and employees when a power loss occurs.

Our Generator Docking Stations can be permanently installed onto the side of your building. When a power outage occurs, a portable generator is rolled onto the site and can be easily plugged into the docking station to restore power to the facility.

CONTACT TRYSTAR TODAY

Your workplace deserves the proper care when an emergency occurs. Rather than risk a natural disaster hurting your business, allow us to provide you with an extra layer of protection in the instance of a power outage. Browse our line of products or contact us with any questions.