An emergency plan helps your business respond.

Severe weather not only wreaks havoc on our power lines and highways, but it can also have an adverse affect on your business. Electrical, heating and cooling and telecommunication-system failures can disrupt workplace activities and contribute to emergencies. You can be sure your employees are trained to do their jobs safely in case of an emergency by keeping your emergency plan active.

Know Which Emergencies

• Weather-related: external
• Explosion: external or internal
• Fire: external or internal
• Hazardous-substance release: external or internal
• Medical: internal
• Threat of violence: external or internal

Do You Have an Emergency Plan in Place?

Workplace emergencies can happen at any time. Whether you have two or 200 employees, having an emergency plan in place may protect lives, equipment and property over the long term. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires most employers with more than 10 employees to have emergency plans in writing. Those with 10 or fewer employees don't have to put plans in writing; however, the employer must ensure that their employees know what procedures to follow to protect themselves in an emergency.

Get Employees Involved

If you don't have an emergency plan in writing, get employees involved in the planning process. Employees will take the plan seriously and have the knowledge to respond appropriately during emergencies.

Getting started is always the hardest part. Let employees know that their safety is the purpose of the plan. Form a team and ask volunteers to join the team. Review the plan with your employees to review procedures to follow, such as evacuation plans and accounting for co-workers. Encourage employees to report workplace hazards and unsafe work practices that could contribute to an emergency.

If you already have a plan in place, conduct consistent emergency awareness activities. Some of the steps to follow are:

1. Train employees
2. Identify workplace hazards
3. Test emergency-response equipment
4. Schedule regular emergency-response drills
Periodically evaluate the emergency plan's effectiveness

Personal Workplace Disaster Supplies Kit

Encourage employees to prepare personal workplace disaster supply kits. They can easily be stored in an office workspace or locker, and may come in handy should an emergency arise.

Flashlight with extra batteries
Use the flashlight to find your way if the power is out. Do not use candles or any other open flame for emergency lighting.

Battery-powered weather radio
News about the emergency may change rapidly, and radio reports will give information about the areas affected. You and your employees may also be concerned about family and friends in the area.

Food
Enough non-perishable food to sustain you for at least one day (three meals) is suggested. Select food that requires no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water.

• Ready-to-eat canned meals, meats, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juices
• High-energy foods (granola bars, energy bars, etc.)

Water
Keep at least one gallon of water available, or more if on medications that require water or increase thirst. Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

Medications
Include usual non-prescription medications that you take, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, etc. If taking prescription medications, keep at least three-day's supply of these medications at your workplace. Consult with a physician or pharmacist about how these medications should be stored.

First Aid Supplies
Although first aid supplies may be available in the building, keep a small supply kit complete with adhesive bandages, sterile dressing, conforming roller gauze bandage, triangular bandages, germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, non-latex gloves, adhesive tape and anti-bacterial ointment.

Tools and Supplies
Emergency space blanket (mylar), paper plates, cup and plastic utensils, non-electric can opener, personal hygiene items, plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses), include at least complete change of clothing and footwear, including a long sleeved shirt and long pants, as well as closed-toed shoes or boots, keep an extra pair of eyeglasses in your kit, if you wear them.

The personal kits should be adjusted based on personal needs. It should not include candles, weapons, toxic chemicals or controlled drugs unless prescribed by a physician.

Protect Your Business Records and Inventory

In Georgia, floods can come after spring rains, heavy thunderstorms or even winter snow thaws. In the U.S., the average annual cost of flood damage is more than $2 billion. Even though floods are usually short-lived, they can happen suddenly with little or no warning. That's why it's important to be sure your business records and inventory are protected in case of a flood.

If you keep on-site records and files (hardcopy and electronic) that are essential to normal operations or you store raw materials and product inventory, you should take precautions to be sure these records aren't damaged. The loss of essential files and records could delay your return to normal operations, or even worse, cost you customers. Here are some steps to follow to protect your records:

•  Raise computers above the flood level and move them away from large windows.
• Move heavy and fragile objects to low shelves.
• Store vital documents in a secure off-site location.
• Back-up electronic files (such as billing and payroll records and customer lists) and store backup copies in a secure off-site location.
• Secure equipment that could move or fall.
• Estimate the cost of repairing or replacing each essential piece of equipment in your business.
• Maintain written and photographic inventories of materials and equipment for insurance and tax purposes. The inventory should be stored in a safety deposit box or other secure location.

Don't let unexpected weather hazards cost your business unnecessary time and money. Get prepared today. If you're unsure how your business will fare during a widespread outage, contact your local district office and ask for a commercial/industrial representative. We're here when you need us and more than glad to help you ensure your business is ready when the unexpected occurs.

For more information on power restoration, how to prepare for the storm, what to do during and after the storm and links to helpful emergency preparedness sites, please visit our Web site Storm Center at www.jacksonemc.com/storm.