Is Your Workplace Prepared For Severe Summer Weather?

How to Prepare for Severe Summer Weather

With summer in full swing, the weather can be extremely unpredictable.  Being well prepared for every situation, whether that would be power outages, tornado outbreaks, or extremely warm temperatures, severe summer weather can make or break your work environment.  Having plans in place for every situation can keep the workplace calm, orderly, and prepared when disasters strike.

Things to Consider Before Severe Summer Weather Hits

  1. Are your computers routinely being backed-up and saved?
  2. Are there generators in place to keep operations running?
  3. Do you have an evacuation plan or shelter meeting place established?
  4. Are employees aware of proper hydration methods?
  5. Are there multiple emergency preparedness kits available throughout the workplace?

Are your computers routinely being backed-up and saved?

Power outages can occur without any warning.  Computers and other sources of technology can fail and potentially lose all of the important information you had on it.  That is why it is important to consider routinely backing up your information into an external hard drive or putting it into a cloud that can be later reached if something were to go wrong.  

Are there generators in place to keep operations running?

With the unpredictability of power outages, you need to ask yourself if having generators makes sense for your workplace.  Having backup generators can keep your operation running while you wait for the power company to fix the problem.  Depending on the potential response time of your power company, your workplace could be without power for several hours or even days before they come and fix it, which is all the more reason to have a generator on standby.

Do you have an evacuation plan or shelter meeting place established?

Severe weather in the summer can potentially lead to tornadic activity, depending on where you live.  It is very important to have an evacuation plan in place and a tornado shelter location for the entire building.  If you routinely practice your “tornado drill,” it can dramatically cut down the amount of time it takes to get the whole building safely evacuated into tornado shelter areas.

Are employees aware of proper hydration methods?

Summertime means there is the potential for extremely hot weather.  If you work in a manufacturing business, there is no doubt that the factory will be hot.  It is important as a boss, to inform your employees and remind them to properly hydrate while working.  Employees should be drinking water throughout the day to ensure proper hydration, especially when working in manufacturing, or other labor intensive jobs.  

Are there multiple emergency preparedness kits available throughout the workplace?

Having emergency preparedness kits are important in every work environment.  Having bandages, flashlights, spare batteries, emergency radios, and lanterns are all important items to have stowed away in multiple areas in case something happens.  Especially for when the power goes out, you’ll at least have light and a form of outside communication to help get you through the outage and beyond.  By having them in multiple spaces, everyone could have access to them and therefore be better prepared.

No matter what the situation is, taking the necessary preparedness measures can keep your workplace be a well-oiled machine no matter what type of severe weather hits.  Having a well thought out emergency plan that is constantly rehearsed can potentially save your employees and keep your operation up and running after bad weather hits. To learn how Custom Staffing can elevate your career, contact us at 419-221-3097 or apply online.