Emergency Management Programs

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:51:13 GMT

An Integral Part of Your Overall Business Plan

A comprehensive emergency management program is a necessary part of any business, and Johnson & Wood Insurance Services wants all businesses in California to be prepared. According to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), having a plan can help to limit employee or customer injuries, damages to property and help your business return more quickly to normal operations. FEMA makes a strong argument for emergency management planning by defining what constitutes an emergency and identifying the benefits to business.

FEMA’s description of their “Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry” characterizes it as ideal for any business or “…organization where a sizable number of people work or gather.” But, they are quick to point out that even small businesses can benefit from the ideas in this guide. The guide is extensive, so we’re going to give you an overview and we encourage you to access the full guide on the FEMA website for complete details.

The Planning Process

The success of your plan hinges on having leadership, or upper management support in order to get full participation. There are four primary steps involved: establishing a team, identifying capabilities and hazards, developing a plan then implementing.

While you’re going through this process, be sure to conduct an insurance review. Johnson & Wood Insurance Services will be happy to clear up any doubts or questions you have about your business insurance coverage.

Emergency Management Considerations

This is the phase where different the functions of emergency management and response are defined. Who’s going to be in charge of direction and control, communications, property protection, or safety? How will you work together or with outside agencies?

Identifying Potential Hazards

Hazards come in many forms – fire, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods. Do you have any hazardous materials at your business? If so, proper containment and safety measures are needed before an emergency and you need to know who to call should those materials pose a danger during an emergency.

Gather Important Information

FEMA offers additional resources focusing disaster mitigation, flood-proofing, and building performance – all available for free. They also offer brochures for work or home, and directories of regional and state emergency management offices.

Start your emergency planning now by utilizing FEMA’s “Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry.” And, by all means, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about your insurance coverage.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Association, Department of Homeland Security (www.fema.gov/business/guide)

OSHA Offers Free Consultations to Small Business

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:50:00 GMT

Did you know the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers small businesses free, workplace safety consultations?

During the OSHA 2010 fiscal year they provided consultations to 26,000 small and medium-sized businesses employing 1.5 million workers.
OSHA’s workplace safety consultations are separate from inspections and do not result in citations or penalties.
Establishing and following workplace safety standards at your business can significantly reduce risk of injuries, prevent losses from production down-time and potentially save you money.

Many business owners have very full schedules and tight budgets. By taking advantage of this free service, businesses are able to conduct a thorough review of safety practices and hazards, without having to hire additional staff. Identification of workplace hazards, compliance advice, plus assistance in creating safety and health practices at work can lead to higher productivity and better morale among your workers.

So how can your business take advantage of this service? Start by visiting OSHA’s On-site Consultation web page where they instruct you to call to get on their schedule.

While visiting the OSHA website be sure to check into all of the other resources available to small business, particularly the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) which recognizes small businesses for their “exemplary safety and health management system.” Participants in this program have been known to reduce their Workers Compensation premiums.

If your workplace safety consultation raises any questions or concerns about your business insurance, please contact us. We want you and your business to be properly protected from loss.

Additional OSHA Resources

Consultation on the OSHA site in Spanish – En el Sitio de Consulta En Espanol
Compliance Assistance Quick Start – An introduction to Compliance Assistance
OSHA Publications – Most Frequently Requested

Johnson & Wood Insurance News

Emergency Management Programs

OSHA Offers Free Consultations to Small Business