Disaster planning 'should be top resolution for businesses'

Businesses were today urged to improve their plans for coping with natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

The CBI said protecting staff and safeguarding buildings should be “top of the list of New Year resolutions”.

Highlighting the Buncefield oil depot blaze in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in December, which caused serious damage to numerous neighbouring properties, the CBI said proper planning for disasters could save lives and secure the future of businesses.

CBI director-general Sir Digby Jones said: “In a year that has seen mainland terrorism, a major incident at the UK’s fifth largest oil and petrol distribution depot and natural disasters too numerous to mention across the globe, everyone in business needs to spend some time this January re-assessing their business risk.”

Sir Digby said many firms still did not have plans in place to deal with disasters despite the Buncefield fire, July’s bombings in London, and a spate of hurricanes and earthquakes around the world.

“As New Year resolutions go, few things can be more important than ensuring your business has a future, whatever happens outside your door,” he said.

And in a direct appeal to companies in the UK, Sir Digby added: “Consider Buncefield – it was a miracle that no-one was killed, but more than anything it showed that the unexpected can happen at any time.

“Please take a long, hard look at how you safeguard your workplace and employees.

“The preparations you make now could help your businesses survive a catastrophic event, be it natural or man-made. Continuity is vital and your customers will expect no less.”

A number of businesses were badly hit following the fire at Buncefield last month.

Online fashion clothing firm ASOS shut down its website and was forced to stop trading just days before Christmas after its only warehouse was damaged and £5.5 (€8m) of stock was lost.

Brewer Scottish & Newcastle lost around £10m (€14.6m) worth of wines and spirits when its warehouse was damaged.

And Marks & Spencer suffered disruption after it was forced to close one of its six food depots. Dozens of stores in north London and elsewhere in the South East were short of sandwiches following the closure.

Sir Digby said: “Having the right plan and the right people in the right places can ensure that your business survives no matter what.”