Business Hazards

Emergencies don't only happen when you are at home, they can happen during your work day. Is your workplace ready? Here are some things to consider.

• Remember that any disaster plan is an ever changing guideline document, not a written in stone commandment. No two emergencies or disasters are exactly the same.
• If you do not have a second in command appoint one, and see that both you and your second in command have a copy of the plan at home. (In case one of you is unable the other can initiate the plan).
• Be realistic with your plan. Don't try to plan for every size or type of disaster, rather consider the common risks/threats of each, and address those.
• Emergency Plan Form
• loss of people
• loss of facilities
• loss of information
• loss of access to raw materials/inventory
• loss of critical records (paper/digital)
• Make an outline of the common risk/threats, as a main heading with each impacted activity in your company as a sub-heading.
• Have backups for your computer system and copies of mission critical forms located off site
• Have a backup connection method (dial-up) if your computer system is located off site
  (in case you need to relocate).
• Set priorities for restoring your business. Not everything needs to be done at the same time. Decide how much time can be allowed for each element in the "restart" sequence.
• Protect critical records not archived as digital information.
  (Pending orders, contracts, research, loans etc.)
• List and prioritize critical notifications such as suppliers, important customers, vendors, corporate officer's etc.
• Make sure employees can exit the facility after hours without a key.
• Have a list with names, procedures, and telephone numbers for Federal and State public assistance funds that may be made available for your business.

The Rapid City-Pennington County Emergency Management is available to help you get started. Contact us for a walk-through to help you and your workplace begin your emergency plan.

• FEMA is not a regulatory agency. Specific regulatory issues should be addressed with the appropriate agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).