No one likes to think that a disaster may strike. However, natural disasters do occur quite frequently, and it's important to be prepared for them in order to ensure everyone stays safe.Wagner Used Equipment is a heavy equipment Caterpillar dealer with locations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Far West Texas. We are a comprehensive heavy equipment dealer, meaning we offer not only the equipment, but also Genuine CAT parts and service. Don't let your heavy equipment go too long without regular maintenance. Check out our CVAs (Customer Value Agreements) for our best maintenance plan offerings. Below, we'll offer up tips on how to prepare a business disaster plan. Get in touch with a Wagner dealer today!
Know the Risks Your Business Faces
Every geographical location has different risks when it comes to natural disasters. For example, your business may be at risk for hurricanes or tornadoes. Here in Colorado, New Mexico, and Far West Texas, fires and flooding can be big risks. It's important to plan for the particular risks that your business may face.
Assemble an Emergency Kit
It's crucial that your building has emergency supplies in case a disaster strikes. This includes emergency food and water supplies, as well as first aid supplies, fire extinguishers, flashlights, extra batteries, medicine, blankets, and more. What's more, you need to make sure that your employees know exactly where these kits are. Time is precious when it comes to people with injuries.
Invest in Employee Disaster Training
What your employees do during a disaster is super important in terms of survival rate. It's important to offer disaster training on a regular basis, which includes how to care for the wounded and how to evacuate the building. There are many great companies that offer disaster training for employees that can truly make a difference in the time of disasters.
Backup Important Data and Files
Having a cloud-based system that automatically back ups your data and files on a regular basis can eliminate this step and be the ultimate resource in case a disaster strikes. If you don't use a cloud-based automatic data backup system, you should be backing up your data and files on a regular basis. Schedule this like you would morning safety checks.
Assess Your Insurance Company
It's crucial that you have the proper insurance coverage should a disaster strike. Use your previous list you made above of the risks that your particular business faces in order to review your insurance policy with your insurance agent. Ask all the questions you need to in order to ensure you will be covered in the event of any type of disaster strikes.
Have a List of Your Assets
You will make your life one hundred times easier if a disaster strikes if you have a list of all of your assets and the information related to their stats. As this relates to heavy equipment, you'll want to have listed the make and model of your heavy machinery, the manufacturing year, and have the VIN number written down. If you don't have this, it may take some time to gather this information, delaying your insurance claim.