Extreme winter weather can threaten business operations and endanger your staff. To ensure safety and business continuity, it's important to be ready for whatever winter has to offer. Don't let your business get caught in the cold. Take these steps to make sure you're prepared.
1. Assess your winter weather threats
Snow and ice are major concerns for many businesses, but power outages, freezing pipes and other weather-related building damage can cause problems. If you have fleet vehicles, cold weather brings specific maintenance issues as well as the potential for weather-related accidents. For outdoor workers, hypothermia, frostbite and slip and fall accidents should be addressed. Start by examining potential threats and prioritize those that may impact your business the most.
2. Review your emergency action plan
Examine your emergency action plan to ensure it aligns with your winter weather priorities. Safety is the first priority. Your emergency plan should include protective actions for life safety. Stabilizing the emergency should be the next priority. Extreme winter weather is often forecast hours in advance. Establish plans to prepare your facility and deal with the aftermath.
3. Train your staff
Training ensures that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency or disruption to business operations. Everyone should be familiar with life safety protective actions. Conduct training and drills for evacuation, sheltering and lockdown procedures. Make sure everyone on your staff understands the dangers of extreme cold and sudden winter storms and how to stay safe.
4. Check your building and grounds
Winter weather can be hard on your facility, so take time to make sure it's ready. Check your roof and gutters to ensure they are clean and prepared to handle snow and ice. Properly seal windows and exterior doors, and have a qualified professional inspect your heating system. Keep adequate emergency supplies on hand (blankets, water, first aid supplies) as well as equipment for snow and ice removal.
5. Maintain backup power
Power outages can not only disrupt business operations, but they can threaten safety and security as well. Make sure you have adequate backup power in place. Inspect and test backup generators regularly according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
6. Create a business continuity plan
It may take careful planning to fully recover business operations after a winter weather event. Develop a business continuity plan that includes a list of procedures to be taken after a storm or other emergency to continue operations and return to full capacity as quickly as possible. For more information, see Seven Ways to Start Your Business Continuity Plan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
7. Stay informed with outage alerts
- Get the latest power outage information delivered to you by push, text, phone or email by signing up for outage alerts in the app or online.
- Notifications will help you keep track of power outages — including cause, restoration crew status and estimated restoration time.
- Report a power outage in the app, online or by calling 800-450-7240 to help us quickly identify the outage and coordinate restoration.
With these measures, you'll help keep your business operating safely and comfortably all winter long.