Winter will be here before you know it. For many, that means it is time to start getting ready for the potential for colder temperatures, snow and ice. While you can’t anticipate every possible situation, you can be ready to handle many of them by following a few basic tips to develop a winter preparedness plan.
- Prepare for Colder Weather
Now is the time to go through your physical plant and see which projects need to be done before the weather turns cold. There are several projects that can drastically help keep employees and customers safe in the event of severe weather, including:
- Install a roof snow load calculatorto raise the alarm about excess loads before structural damage occurs
- Check the status of all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Secure salt and de-icer for sidewalks and parking areas
- Establish a Backup Power Source
Take inventory of what in your business relies on electricity to run. If anything is critical to operations, you will want to have a backup power source. For some businesses, that could mean installing a generator to keep the entire facility running. For others, it may be as simple as a battery backup that can run a few pieces of equipment for a short time.
- Develop a Closing Notification System
If you make a decision to close for safety reasons, a well-developed plan will help you avoid confusion. Establish a process to notify others in the event of any closures or delays. This should include employees, customers, suppliers and anyone else who you do business with on a regular basis. Radio and television closure listings are easy to access. Automated text messaging may also be an option for some businesses.
Taking steps to prepare for winter now is a good way to ensure your business is ready to handle severe weather. It may mean the difference between continued operations and disaster if your facilities aren’t adequate for the conditions.
