Employers must prepare for events that may seem unforeseeable. An organization that fails to prepare for business disruptions may suffer financially and may be liable for damages incurred by employees and third parties.
Planning for catastrophic challenges involve protecting people and assets, training on procedures, setting up emergency response teams, archiving records in multiple locations, engaging outside service providers for backup, and obtaining insurance coverage for property, casualty, and business interruption.
Legal issues related to disaster preparedness include Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), workers’ compensation, American Disabilities Act compliance. OSHA compliance involves providing working conditions free from hazards such as implementing emergency and fire prevention plans with exit routes that accommodate people with disabilities, and clean-up techniques that communicate hazards such as asbestos, mold, body fluids, gas. FMLA and workers’ compensation issues include leave policies.
Resources for developing company emergency action plans include: Business Continuity Institute, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Disaster Recovery Journal, American Red Cross Disaster Services, Business Continuity Planners Association, World Health Organization, Business Recovery Managers Association.
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