“Fires and explosions occur in roughly 70,000 American businesses and cause nearly 200 employee fatalities annually”, said Staples.com Public Relations Manager Mark Cautela. “In addition, approximately 1,200 tornadoes occur every year in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and virtually all states have the possibility of experiencing a moderate to severe earthquake”.
Make a Plan, Talk About It with Employees and Practice!
Small and medium business need to conduct a thorough risk analysis to reduce their downtime and increase the chances of a successful recovery. This can help business owners understand the potential risks associated with operational failure and allows them to develop a recovery plan. Emergency preparedness, including medical emergencies is critical for small business owners to train their employees. Disaster planning for small business operations as well as handling employee emergencies is paramount for small and medium business to practice. There are a number of supplies that experts recommend small businesses have for emergency situations, including first aid kits, fire extinguishers, personal protective equipment, flashlights, surge protectors, equipment to clean up and notify employees of spills, and, if possible, defibrillators.
Reference: Eytan Hirsch, SHRM.org, Staples.com
