| |
What
can I do at work?
It
is estimates that 43% of businesses never reopen following
a local disaster, such as a hurricane. It is important
that business owners take proactive steps to protect their
business, because they are a vital part of the community.
The
Small
Business Administration (SBA) and the Institute
for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) suggest that
small business owners develop a Disaster Plan that includes
mitigation activities. These activities are divided into
the following categories:
Links
for additional information are provided at the end
of this page.
Facilities
(Buildings & Equipment)
- Assess
your facility's vulnerability to earthquakes. Ask
local government agencies for seismic information for
your area.
- Brace
cripple walls. This is something that skilled homeowners
can probably do on their own. Check with the Public
Works Department, Building Division at 961-8331 in Hilo
and 327-3520 in Kailua-Kona to see whether you need
a permit to do this work. Click
here for additional information.
- Restrain
appliances and computers. You can protect desktop
computers and other small appliances by restraining
them in a variety of ways. Check with your local home
improvement store or click
here for additional information.
- Move
large and heavy objects to lower shelves or the floor.
Hang heavy items away from where people work.Check with
your local home improvement store or click
here for additional information.
- Anchor
bookshelves and filing cabinets. Anchoring furniture
so that it remains upright not only helps prevent injuries
and helps to keep exits clear, but it also helps protect
both the furniture and its contents. Check with your
local home improvement store or click
here for additional information.
Operations
- Purchase
a backup generator to maintain full operations or critical
functions such as refrigeration, lighting, security
systems, and computer control in the event of a power
failure.
- Purchase
a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery
backup.
- Have back-up
vendors and shippers in place in case your primary ones
are disabled. Set up relationships in advance and maintain
them.
Critical
Information and Communication
- Make backup
copies of all critical records such as accounting and
employee data, as well as customer lists, production
formulas, and inventory.
- Keep a
backup copy of your computer's basic operating system,
boot files, and critical software.
- Store a
copy of all vital information on-site and a second in
a safe off-site location. Make it a critical part of
your routine to regularly back up files.
- Make pre-arrangements
with computer vendors to quickly replace damaged vital
hardware. Keep invoices, shipping lists, and other documentation
of your system configuration off-site so you can quickly
order the correct replacement components.
- Maintain
an up-to-date copy of phone numbers, computer and Internet
logon codes and passwords, employee phone numbers and
other critical information in an accessible location.
- Develop
an employee "telephone tree" to rapidly contact employees
in an emergency.
Insurance
- Ask your
insurance carrier about earthquake insurance and mitigation
techniques.
- Consider
"business interruption insurance" that assists you with
operating needs during a period of shutdown. It may
help you meet payrolls, pay vendors, and purchase inventory
until you are in full operation again.
- Be prepared
for the extraordinary costs of a disaster such as leasing
temporary equipment, restoring lost data, and hiring
temporary workers.
- Don't assume
that, just because it never happened before, it never
will.
For
more information you can visit the following websites:
|
