Business emergencies
An unexpected disruption or crisis can affect your business. Businesses are far more likely to survive a disaster if they have planned for it.
Potential risks can include
- floods, storms and high winds
- fire
- loss of premises
- loss of telecommunications
- loss of power
- disruption to fuel supplies
- loss of, or reduction in staff
Possible effects from a disaster can include:
- failure of business
- loss of income
- damage to reputation
- loss of customers
- legal or regulatory penalties
- loss of trained employees
Plan for continuity
It is important to have a business continuity plan that puts contingency systems in place so that work can continue in the event of an emergency.
A business continuity plan should:
- identify the essential requirements to keeping your business running
- set out what to do during a crisis with clear roles and responsibilities
- list the actions that allow key activities to continue in difficult circumstances
Your business continuity checklist might include:
- make a list of important telephone numbers (customers, clients, suppliers, employees)
- store your vital computer information on back up disks or servers away from your premises
- have an asset register
- make sure you and your staff know the location of stopcocks, valves and any electrical mains switch
- consider alternative arrangements to continue operations, including locations, suppliers and equipment
- have an emergency pack that includes a plan of the site, spare keys and contact details
- store your emergency pack in a safe place that is known by your key personnel
Business emergency resilience group 10-minute plan
The business emergency resilience group 10-minute plan is designed to help small to medium-sized businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, such as flooding, cyber crime and civil unrest.
Take 10 minutes to help prepare your business