Business
Owners of small businesses can take steps to prepare for the possibility of a disaster. Basic safety measures reduce the risk of accidents in the work place. An up-to-date disaster plan shared with employees will ensure that they know what to do when they need to act.
Workplace safety
U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Safety and Health Administration includes an in-depth online publication that “details the basic steps to handle emergencies in the workplace. These emergencies include accidental releases of toxic gases, chemical spills, fires, explosions, and bodily harm and trauma caused by workplace violence. This discussion is intended to assist small businesses that do not have safety and health professionals. It is not intended as an all inclusive safety program but rather to provide guidelines for planning for emergencies.” For the complete publication, go to (www.osha.gov/SLTC/smallbusiness/sec10.html)
U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Safety and Health Administration also includes a page of technical links to safety and health topics.
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs provides links to emergency services for citizens overseas.
Preparing for a Disaster
The Alabama Department of Insurance Web site includes community tips for disaster preparedness and other pertinent information.
The American Red Cross provides a business and industry guide.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency describes all aspects of the national flood insurance program.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also provides a disaster preparation guide for businesses and industries.
Severe Weather
The National Weather Service provides a severe weather awareness Web page that includes preparedness guides on thunderstorms, tornadoes and floods.
The Institute for Business and Home Safety is a nonprofit organization composed of insurers and reinsurers. According to the Web site, “Our mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.” The Website makes available to nonmembers several publications that describe steps to protect your property from natural hazards, including floods, hurricanes and tornadoes.
Recovering From a Disaster
Among its many services, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office provides consumer alerts and other useful information about fraud or illegal business activities.
U. S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Recovery page provides disaster updates by state, information on how to apply for disaster loan assistance and presidential disaster declaration newsletters.
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