Securing operations

Before you reopen after a temporary closure, it’s important to consider the operational risks facing the safety of your business and your employees.

An operational risk is any hazard that your company may face during normal daily operation, such as an employee error or the breakdown of an internal system. If you run a restaurant, for example, failing to follow procedure for cleaning your commercial oven is an operational risk because it could result in a kitchen fire.

It may be necessary to revise or reinforce your operational protocols to ensure a smooth return to work. If you closed your business because of the pandemic, update your internal procedures and systems to adhere to new mandatory safety measures. 

Keep in mind that you may also need to update your objectives after a crisis—it may not be business as usual right away. If your workforce or supplies are reduced, revise your operational goals to match your new capacity and to ensure that you can operate safely. In the case of COVID-19, you may not be able to produce the same products, operate the same machinery, or provide the same services while following public health requirements.

Now that we’ve reviewed the ways you can secure operations, let’s review how to protect your supply chain when you prepare to reopen after a closure.