Businesses in Central and South Texas know the natural disasters that impact their operations. From hurricanes on the Texas Gulf Coast to winter ice storms, it is important that an emergency plan is in place. This protects the business operations, buildings, equipment, and employees. From fueling equipment to knowing how to handle injuries, it is a necessary step to staying safe.
The hazards with tropical systems are high winds, tornadoes, lightning strikes, and flooding. Storms leave downed trees, power lines, and structures. Rising water levels make travel risky. And since most of the state’s refineries are along the Texas Gulf Coast, storms often mean fuel shortages.
With hurricane season in Central Texas running through November, it is important to prepare. Know your evacuation route. Create a check-in process with employees and family. The local media will have ongoing reports of the situation, and it is better to react sooner than later. Have batteries ready to operate flashlights and radios in a power outage. Fill fuel tanks, emergency generators, equipment and vehicles ahead of time. Store plenty of drinking water and nonperishable food. Board up buildings and secure outdoor items.
Ice storms and many days of freezing weather can also disrupt businesses and schools. Again, downed trees and powerlines can damage buildings and homes. Frozen water pipes and the loss of power are uncomfortable circumstances to endure. Fill emergency generators ahead of any storms.
Efficient planning for natural disasters is important. If weather interrupts essential services a plan needs to be in place to adjust to the situation. Establish a relationship with a reliable fuel supplier before an emergency. Once an emergency happens, it is often too late to plan on a fuel supplier being able to deliver.
In some cases, the suspension of power or transportation can last several days. It is necessary to have a backup plan to prevent disruptions in the business. One of the most important services is having enough fuel to continue operations. Having fleet and personal vehicles fueled up and ready once roads are clear is important. Plan on filling emergency generators ahead of time as fuel delivery may be unavailable for a few days. Take advantage of bulk fuel and lubricants delivery services to vehicles, equipment, and generators. Be sure to plan ahead to have enough fuel to get through a crisis. Having a plan for refueling the heavy equipment and fleets will save costly downtime.
It is important to assess the needs of the business. Identify essential equipment such as vehicle fleets, heavy equipment, tanks, and generators. It is also necessary to know the types of fuel you need: gasoline, diesel, propane and natural gas. Calculate the required fuel needed for daily usage, how long it will last, and know where to store it. Plan for at least 72 hours to a week’s worth of fuel, depending on the disaster. Use older fuel first and consider Power Service Diesel Additive to extend shelf life. Inspect fuel tanks often for leaks, corrosion or damage.
Above all, in emergency situations it is important to ensure the safety of employees. The emergency action plan should be available to everyone. The plan should be detailed so that there is no confusion. Develop a plan that covers a variety of disasters and steps for keeping workers safe. Training every employee to react in different situations will make issues less likely.
Documenting the type of emergency and actions taken helps insurance claims. Everyone should know the protocol and immediately call emergency services in case of injury. Knowing the address of the location is necessary when reporting emergencies. Periodic fire drills and reviewing safety information are important for all job sites. Posting the action plan is also helpful. Instruct workers how to react and how to find shelter in extreme weather conditions.
Bear Oil Company is a full-service fuel and lubricant supplier throughout Central and South Texas. We are an industry leader because of our customer service and high-quality products. No matter the situation, you can expect our team to provide fuel safely and efficiently. We can deliver bulk fuel and lubricants for vehicles, tanks, equipment, emergency generators and reefer tanks. Our service also provides tank monitoring so that you never run out of fuel.
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