It goes without saying that preparing for an emergency in any business setting means keeping the safety of your employees, your clients and your customers in mind. Emergency preparedness may also be a legal requirement, depending on your location. However, there are some lesser-considered benefits for business owners who take the time to formulate an emergency response plan, and for those who secure appropriate emergency response tools that can slow the advancement of a fire.
Preparing in advance will empower team members to act quickly — in some cases reducing the impact of a fire — and will enable a quick entry for emergency response teams.
Key Safety Steps for Any Business
Thoroughly preparing in the case of a fire involves creating a plan and a supporting map, training team members on how to respond, and sourcing the necessary equipment. Important items to have include first aid kits, fire extinguishers, flashlights, fire blankets and Evacuscape emergency evacuation chairs — a tool that enables the safe evacuation of individuals who have mobility challenges.
Taking these strides is a wise and savvy business move. Here’s how:
Emergency Preparedness Will Reduce Property Damage
Whether you own the building or if you rent, being prepared in advance of an emergency will limit costly damages. A building that has experienced a fire will have smoke damage, which may make the air quality poor for employees. The building’s structure may have been compromised, leading to delays in reopening until the necessary checks are made. In a worst-case scenario, the building may be designated as uninhabitable.
Being Prepared Will Limit Damage to Machinery
Fire-damaged electronics, machinery, fixtures, and fittings will likely be unsalvageable. While your insurance may cover the costs of replacing some of these items, it’s likely you’ll still need to cover some replacement fees.
Further, as with property damage, time will be spent replacing machinery and any other tools your team needs.
Files and Records Will Be Saved
While most businesses have taken a digital approach to storing paperwork and other vital records, for some, tangible files and paperwork are still a part of daily routine. If these papers are destroyed by fire or water damage, attempting to restore or recapture them will be a time-consuming — and in some cases impossible — task.
Similarly, if you have a 100% digital office, your team members may have forgotten to back up some files, simply storing them on their own (now damaged) devices. If this is the case, these files will also need to be recaptured or may be unretrievable.
Team Members’ Morale Will Remain Intact
Seeing your team band together and respond quickly and effectively in an emergency situation is sure to boost their morale, their confidence and their team spirit. On the other hand, failing to have the correct know-how or tools should an emergency arise will cause distress and, for some, anxiety.
Further, following an emergency, team members may question their place within the company and if their health and well-being is of value to upper management.
Takeaway
Taking measures to prepare for an emergency doesn’t take a lot of time or energy. Ample preparation, however, protects your team members, but it also protects business assets and your employees’ morale. It will also save your team a lot of extra work in the aftermath.