TIPS TO SAFEGUARD BUSINESSES DURING ONGOING SEVERE WEATHER

With severe weather already impacting part of Australia, and a wet summer predicted, Australia’s largest transport and logistics insurer, NTI, has shared advice on what businesses can do to help safeguard against the impacts of storms, cyclones, and flooding.

NTI’s Logistics Risk Engineer, Kurt Herron said now is the time to act with a third consecutive La Nina weather event forecast.

“All businesses should have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) which details how to keep a business running when the unexpected happens,” Mr Herron said.

“It should be regularly reviewed, easily accessible, and communicated to all key people within the business,” he said.

Business owners and operators must also ensure important documents, files, and servers are backed up, in addition to protecting their assets and ensuring the safety and whereabouts of their people.

“Too often businesses are caught out by severe weather events and have their files or entire systems destroyed,” Mr Herron said.

“Nowadays there are many ways to keep your files secure – back up to the Cloud, have a backup server in a different location, or use an external hard drive.”

Mr Herron said safety must always be the priority so ahead of the summer weather season, businesses should review their emergency procedures and update emergency contacts. 

“Team leaders must ensure they have contact details for all of their staff and make sure they know who to call in an emergency,” he said.

“It’s important people know what to do quickly. Conduct evacuation drills and have emergency contact numbers for services like the SES and Council readily available for all staff to see.”

NTI’s dedicated weather page includes information and resources to support customers during severe weather.

For customers who need to make a claim due to a weather event, NTI Accident Assist is available 24/7 on 1800 NTI NOW (1800 684 669).