With the warm weather that most areas of the country have been experiencing over the last week of February, and reports of the 25th February 2019 seeing the warmest February temperature on record it is hard to believe it is still winter. It also makes it even harder to believe that this time last year we were well and truly in the grips of the ‘Beast from the ‘East’. The freezing weather lasted from 24th February through to 4th March and saw the UK blanketed in snow, freezing temperatures reaching as low as -11 in some areas of the country, strong winds causing snow drifts and flood warnings in many areas.
The resulting impact of the bad weather meant roads closures, train and rail services being cancelled, and workers being advised to avoid traveling where possible. With travel made difficult, shops and schools were forced to close.
With footfall across all retail sectors down, the impact that the ‘Beast from the East’ had on the UK economy was significant. Some reports since the event put the cost at £1bn a day, with the construction industry thought to have been the hardest hit. However, it’s clear from the above that the storm would have had an effect on businesses of all sizes.
It’s important to think about your business and the potential effect bad weather may have on your ability to operate and the potential risks it may pose. Just because we have been having unseasonably warm weather in recent weeks, the ‘Beast from the East’ which brought with it the coldest start to March on record, demonstrates that bad weather conditions can strike when you wouldn’t normally expect, bringing with it a detrimental effect on businesses ability to operate as usual.
How can you protect your business if bad weather strikes?
For business of all sizes it is important to ensure the safety of your premises, your customers and employees. Some key areas to consider include:
Make sure your customers and employees are safe – As a business you have a duty to keep your premises safe in cold weather. Amongst other things this means free from snow and ice. Grit and clear pathways to ensure customers visiting your premises and employees remain safe. Ensure that any staff required to work outside in cold weather are provided with sufficient warm clothing.
Make sure your premises are safe – when it comes to cold weather, ensuring that whatever heating system you have in place has been serviced and is working correctly is key. The last thing you want is for it to fail meaning staff cannot come to work in freezing cold temperatures. It’s also important to keep your heating maintained to help avoid frozen and burst pipes. Keeping the heating on low whilst you are away can help this. Likewise, check that your pipes are insulated particularly in unheated areas. It is also a good idea to know how to switch the main water supply off if needed.
Have a plan in place – Having plans in place to mitigate the risks associated with weather related disasters is key. A disaster recovery plan should set out what you need to do in the immediate aftermath of a disaster – so for example, what to do if you discover a burst pipe has left your premises uninhabitable or ruined your stock. A business continuity plan will then set out the steps you need to take to return your business to normal operating levels.
At First Recovery we specialise in providing disaster recovery services with the aim of getting your business back and up and running as fast as possible if the worst should happen. If you are a small or medium sized business reviewing your disaster recovery plans and needs, why not give us a call and see how we can help.