Disasters don’t always send notice when they’re on their way—they just show up. And when they do, how prepared you are beforehand can be the difference between survival and devastation for your business. From wildfires and hurricanes to floods, tornadoes, landslides, and blizzards, each type of disaster brings its own brand of chaos. Let’s dive into the worst-case scenarios and how to prep your business like a pro.
Hurricanes
These massive storms can bring flooding, wind damage, and power outages that last longer than a Monday morning meeting. Hurricane Harvey caused $125 billion in damages. Don’t let your business become a hurricane casualty.
Preparation Tips:
- Secure your building with storm shutters or good old-fashioned plywood.
- Elevate important equipment and files above ground level. Water and electronics don’t mix well.
- Keep communication lines open. Make sure everyone knows the plan and can stay informed.
Floods
Floods can turn your workspace into Waterworld faster than you can say “Kevin Costner.” The 2019 Midwestern floods caused $2.9 billion in damages. Floodwaters ruin everything from inventory to morale and even create life-threatening situations.
Preparation Tips:
- Use flood barriers or sandbags to keep the water out.
- Move important documents and electronics to higher ground.
- Be ready for clean-up duty. Mold waits for no one.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes hit like a freight train from nowhere. You may have as little as one or two minutes between the moment you are warned of a tornado and the time it hits. The Joplin tornado in 2011 caused $2.8 billion in damages. A direct hit could to your business can cost more than just money.
Preparation Tips:
- Identify safe rooms or storm shelters within your building.
- Bolt down heavy furniture and equipment.
- Regularly practice tornado drills with your team. Better safe than airborne.
View preparation tips here for Wildfires, Landslides and Blizzards!
By understanding these scenarios and taking these preparation tips to heart, you can turn a potential disaster into just another day at the office. So, what can you do to keep your business ready for the worst? Consider these 5 tips:
1. Be Ready to Use Generators Safely
It’s a common scene: a storm knocks out the power, and suddenly your business is plunged into darkness. Cue the generator—a true lifesaver. But without proper handling, things could take a turn for the worse. Generators are fantastic, but they come with safety hazards that you need to manage to keep everyone safe such as:
- Fuel-Related Accidents: Fuel storage can be a ticking time bomb if mishandled. Leaks, spills, and improper storage can lead to fires or explosions. To store fuel safely, use approved safety cans that are designed to prevent leaks and spills. Don’t skimp on quality here. Additionally, employing berms around your fuel storage area can contain potential spills. Think of berms as mini-moats protecting your business from fuel-related disasters.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly. In the U.S., over 400 deaths each year are attributed to CO poisoning from generators (CDC).
To avoid this, always run generators outdoors, far from windows, doors, and vents. Your generator needs fresh air, just like you do. Installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout your building is also crucial. These devices act as your early warning system, ensuring everyone stays safe.
- Noise Pollution: Generators are great, but let’s face it—they’re noisy. The constant rumble can be disruptive, making it hard for your team to focus or communicate effectively. Nobody wants to yell over the din of a generator.
Noise reduction barriers are a great tool for those times when you need to use a generator for an extended period of time. These barriers can significantly cut down on the noise, creating a more pleasant and productive work environment. It’s like giving your generator its own soundproof room.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your generator is a lifesaver, not a problem. Proper planning and regular maintenance are key to using generators safely. Your business can stay powered up without compromising on safety, turning potential disaster into just another day at the office.
2. Have Proper Signage and Markings
When disaster strikes, confusion is the last thing you want. Imagine your team scrambling around, unsure of where to go or what to do. That’s a recipe for chaos. Proper signage and markings can turn a potentially disastrous situation into a smooth, organized evacuation. Let’s talk about how to make your business as clear and navigable as an airport terminal.
- Evacuation Maps: Ever tried to find your way out of a maze? Without clear maps, that’s what an emergency can feel like. Protect your self-printed evacuation maps with holders that glow in the dark or remain visible even when the lights go out. This ensures that everyone knows exactly where the exits are, no guessing required.
- Muster Point Signs: Clearly marked muster points (also known as assembly areas) are essential. These signs tell everyone exactly where to gather, ensuring a quick headcount and reducing panic. Think of them as the meeting points that keep your team connected and accounted for.
- ADA Braille Signs: Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must. Make sure your evacuation routes and safety instructions are accessible to everyone, including those who rely on Braille. This ensures that all employees and visitors can evacuate safely and efficiently.
- Door Hanger Evacuation Tags: During an evacuation, it’s crucial to know which rooms have been cleared. Door hanger evacuation tags are a simple but effective way to communicate that a room is empty and everyone has safely exited. These tags hang on door knobs or handles, providing clear, immediate information to emergency responders.
- Portable Sign Kits and Barricade Tape: Sometimes you need to set up signs and barriers quickly. Portable sign kits and barricade tape are perfect for this. Whether you need to mark off hazardous areas or guide people to safety, these tools are versatile and easy to deploy.
- Disaster Information Centers: Information is power, especially in an emergency. Disaster information centers provide employees with essential details about the situation and how to respond. These centers often include a backboard, basket, and binder, making critical information accessible and organized.
Keeping your business well-marked and easy to navigate, can help keep everyone safe and calm during a disaster. Remember, clear signage isn’t just about compliance—it’s about making sure every single person knows exactly what to do and where to go.
3. Have the Resources to Manage Water Properly
Water is crucial, but in emergencies, it can quickly become a major problem. Whether it’s a flood, a burst pipe, or contaminated water, managing it effectively is key. Here’s how your business can stay on top of water-related issues.
- Ceiling Leak Diverter: Severe storms can damage roofs, causing leaks that threaten equipment. A ceiling leak diverter directs water away from sensitive areas. A good ceiling leak diverter should be easy to install and will protect valuable assets from water damage.
- Portable Eyewash and Emergency Showers: In the event of a chemical spill, immediate access to clean water is vital. Portable eyewash and emergency showers provide quick decontamination, ideal for quick deployment during disasters and reduce the risk of serious injury.
- Mobile Hand Washing Stations: Hygiene is critical during floods or extended outages. Mobile hand washing stations ensure clean hands, preventing the spread of disease. These stations are perfect for maintaining hygiene when traditional facilities are compromised.
- Storm Water Catch Basin Inserts: Heavy rains can overwhelm drainage systems. StormNEST inserts protect storm drains from debris, preventing blockages and flooding. These adjustable, easy-to-install inserts keep your drainage system clear.
- Managing Floodwaters: Flood barriers, sandbags, and sump pumps are essential for keeping water out and removing it if it gets in. Proactive flood management can prevent significant damage.
Proper water management during emergencies is about safety and hygiene. With the right resources, you can handle water challenges effectively and keep your business running smoothly.
4. Be Ready to Facilitate Large Vehicles
When disaster strikes, large vehicles like emergency trucks and heavy equipment play a crucial role in rescue and recovery efforts. Ensuring these big rigs can move safely and efficiently is vital for minimizing damage and speeding up recovery. Here’s how to make sure your business is prepared to accommodate these giants.
- Wheel Chocks: Imagine trying to park a giant truck on a slope without any wheel chocks. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Wheel chocks keep vehicles securely in place, preventing them from rolling away.
- Cable & Hose Management: Nothing trips up an emergency operation like tangled cables and hoses. Keep your work area safe and organized with proper cable and hose management.
- Ground Protection Mats: Muddy or unstable ground can turn a rescue mission into a nightmare. Ground protection mats provide stable surfaces for vehicles and heavy equipment, preventing them from getting stuck.
- Handling Large Equipment Safely: Large vehicles and equipment are vital during emergencies, but they need careful handling to avoid accidents. Proper training for your team on using wheel chocks, managing cables, and deploying ground protection mats is essential. Regular drills can make sure everyone knows what to do when the big rigs roll in.
By ensuring your business can accommodate large vehicles safely, you can support rescue and recovery efforts effectively. This preparation not only helps your business recover faster but also aids in community-wide disaster response.
5. Store Supplies Safely
In the chaos of an emergency, you don’t want to be scrambling to find essential supplies. Proper storage is key to making sure you can access everything you need quickly and efficiently. Consider these tips to keep your emergency gear safe and organized.
- Emergency Cabinets: Imagine trying to find a flashlight in the dark or a first-aid kit during a crisis. Not fun, right? Emergency cabinets are your go-to for storing all essential items in one place. These cabinets ensure that your flashlights, radios, respirators, and first aid items are always within reach.
- Flammable Cabinets: Storing flammable materials can be risky, especially during an emergency. You don’t want a small spark turning into a major disaster. They’re built to withstand harsh conditions and keep your dangerous goods secure.
- Document Storage: Important documents like emergency plans, contact lists, and insurance information need to be safe and accessible. Justrite’s Document Storage Boxes are lockable and durable, protecting your crucial paperwork from damage and unauthorized access. Having these documents handy can make a huge difference in how smoothly your business handles an emergency.
- Proper Labeling: Clearly labeling your storage solutions is just as important as having them. Use glow-in-the-dark labels, large fonts, and color-coding to ensure that everyone can find what they need quickly, even in low-light conditions.
- Regular Checks: It’s not enough to just store your supplies properly; you also need to check them regularly. Set a schedule for routine inspections to make sure everything is in good working order. Replace expired items and ensure that all supplies are easily accessible. Regular checks can prevent unpleasant surprises when you need your supplies the most.
- Training and Drills: Make sure your team knows where everything is and how to use it. Conduct regular training sessions and drills to familiarize everyone with the location and operation of emergency supplies. The more prepared your team is, the smoother your emergency response will be.
By storing supplies safely and keeping everything well-organized, you can ensure a swift and efficient response when disaster strikes. Proper storage is about more than just tidiness; it’s about being ready for anything.
This article republished with permission from Justrite.
View our other Hurricane related blog posts.