At Work

International surveys have shown that more than 60% of businesses fail in the first two years after a major disaster like an earthquake. While this may be partly due to insufficient insurance for damaged property, much of it is because the business owner or manager has not planned for suitable resilience and recovery procedures. Hospitals, schools, large factories and councils all operate and rehearse emergency plans and evacuation procedures. Contact your local Civil Defence staff or local business group for more advice.

On this page

• Business recovery plan checklist
• Employee recovery plan checklist
• Rural business recovery plan checklist
• Learn more

Identify where your business is vulnerable and make moves NOW to reduce that risk. Your aim is to be back in business as completely and quickly as possible.

Business recovery plan checklist

• Where is your business most vulnerable - in an earthquake? In a flood? In another natural or man-made disaster?
• Are all of your essential documents backed up or copied? And safely stored, even off the premises?
• Are shelves, tall furniture and expensive computers securely braced?
• If you have hazardous materials on the premises, how secure are they?
• Is your stock and equipment adequately insured?
• If your business has public access, what danger would your customers be in?
• Do you have regular emergency drills and have you tested your evacuation plan? Do you have emergency power sources if it is vital to maintain some power immediately after a disaster?
• After an earthquake or flood who will clean up the mess and get you back up and running?
• How soon will you be up and running?
• What will your business look like … the same or different?
• How will you let customers know you are still in business?
• What extra advice do you need to get to make sure your risks are reduced?

Employee recovery plan checklist

• Do your employees know the emergency drill and evacuation plan (and have you got one)?
• Who is in charge of making sure everyone is safe and calling emergency services when needed?
• Do they know where to turn off gas or electricity?
• Is at least one person in your business trained in first aid? And is your first aid kit of good quality and up to date?
• What plans have staff made for their family's safety, to reduce their fears if they can't get to them?
• How soon will staff be able to get back to work?
• What sort of customer service will they be able to provide ... the same or different?

Rural business recovery plan checklist

• Have you checked all of the above that might apply?
• How secure are your water supply and septic systems?
• Is your power backup secure?
• What are the risks from hazardous substances?
• Your home is probably your office so is furniture, shelving and computers properly secure?
• When you are out checking the farm for problems who will be in charge at home?
• What business contacts will need to be advised of any problems? Milk company? Livestock buyers?