Construction Law
Planning for Disasters in Construction Part 2
The effect of a crisis depends on the company’s size, location, and its products or services, but how well a company has prepared for a disaster is the main determinant of how the business will respond and recover. What you do or don’t in response to an emergency is also critical. This is why a disaster plan is essential to your business.
Too often, however, contractors don’t focus on emergency preparedness until after disaster strikes. However, our Clearwater construction lawyers understand that many construction professionals can mitigate damage and liabilities when they have a strong emergency action plan in place prior to a disaster. With a plan, recovery will be easier and contractors can limit their exposure to lawsuits and economic turmoil.
Worst-Case Scenarios
A major part of developing disaster plans is understanding the events that may arise and the worst that could happen. If a hurricane were to take place what is the worst-case scenario?
Wind damage from a hurricane can vary based on the hurricane category which ranges from a Category 1 to Category 5. A Category 1 hurricane may produce some damage that affects roofs or power lines. A Category 5 hurricane can produce catastrophic damage that will destroy buildings and lead to major power outages. Your plan must address how you will handle flooding, sheltering your employees (if they are on the job site during the event), evacuating the job site, power outages, and accidental exposure to hazards.
Implementing a Plan
Implementing a plan entails identifying and assessing resources, writing plans, managing incidents, and training employees on how to execute the plan. The following should be taken into consideration:
- How you will manage your resources
- How you will communicate the crisis to everyone
- How you will recover and continue your business operations
- How you will reconnect and recover lost or damaged technology
- How you will support the needs of your employees beyond the workplace
- How you will respond to the emergency, including employee training
Additionally, you should test the disaster plan to discover any weaknesses. You should also ensure you have the proper insurance coverage. There is a lot more to disaster planning than our Clearwater construction attorneys can cover in this article; however, more emergency action plan information can be found on OSHA’s website and at Ready.gov.
If you would like to speak with a Clearwater construction attorney, please contact us at 813.579.3278, or submit our contact request form.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.