Emergency Planning for Businesses

• Do you have up-to-date contact details for all staff?  
• Do staff know their roles and responsibilities during an emergency?  
• Have staff been trained on what to do in an emergency?  
• Do all staff know the evacuation procedures and assembly points?  
• Do you have a clear way to contact staff during a disruption?  
• Do you know who will take charge during an emergency?  
• Do you have arrangements in place to support staff during an incident?  
• Do you have a plan for how staff will return to work after a disruption?  

• Do you know the main risks that could directly affect your business, such as IT failure, equipment breakdown, loss of power, fire, staff absence, or supply chain issues?  
• Do you know what external risks could impact your premises, such as theft, flooding, fire from nearby buildings, or loss of access to your site?  
• Do you know how you would quickly inform your customers during a disruption, for example through your website, social media, or email updates?  

• Do you know the main risks affecting your building, such as fire, flood, or structural damage?
• Do you have clear and accessible emergency exits?
• Do you know if your fire safety systems are working and regularly maintained?
• Do you have a plan for how staff and visitors would leave the building safely?
• Do you have an alternative location if your building cannot be used?

• Do you know what equipment is essential for your business to operate?
• Do you have backup or replacement equipment available if needed?
• Do you store important equipment safely to reduce damage risk?
• Do you have a plan for replacing equipment if it is damaged?
• Do you know what equipment could be used remotely if needed?

• Do you regularly back up your business data?
• Do you store backups securely off-site or in the cloud?
• Do you have emergency IT support contact details?
• Do you know how staff can work remotely if needed?
• Do you have a plan for IT system failure or downtime?
• Do you protect your systems from cyber security threats?
• Do you know how long it would take to recover key systems?

• Do you know which documents are essential for your business?
• Do you store important documents safely and securely?
• Do you keep copies of key documents off-site or digitally?
• Do you have access to insurance and legal documents during an emergency?

• Do you have security procedures in place during an emergency?
• Do you know how access to your building would be controlled during disruption?
• Do you have measures to protect cash, stock, and valuables?
• Do your alarm and CCTV systems work and are they regularly checked?
• Do you have a plan for preventing unauthorised access during an incident?

• Do you know who your key suppliers are?
• Do you have alternative suppliers if your main ones cannot deliver?
• Do you keep customer contact details up to date?
• Do you have a plan to communicate with customers during disruption?
• Do you understand how supply chain issues could affect your business?

• Do you understand the risks in your area, such as flooding or fire risk?  
• Do you have alternative locations if your site becomes unusable?  
• Do you know how transport disruption could affect your business?  
• Do you have safe access routes for staff and deliveries?  
• Do you know how emergency services would access your site?  

• Do you regularly review your business insurance?
• Do you have cover for fire, flood, and business interruption?
• Do you understand what your insurance actually covers?
• Do you know how to make a claim if needed?
• Do you store insurance documents in a safe and accessible place?

We recommend putting together a simple Business Continuity Pack that includes:

• Emergency contact details
• Key staff roles and responsibilities
• Important business documents
• IT recovery information
• Supplier and customer lists
• Emergency procedures
• Insurance details
• Backup working arrangements

Keep it both digitally and in a secure, easy-to-access place so it can be used quickly in an emergency.

• Business Continuity Guide (UK Government)  
• Prepare Your Business for Emergencies