• The storm could intensify into a major hurricane and make landfall.

There are many “assets” at risk from such hazards. First and foremost, injuries to people should be the first consideration of the risk assessment. Hazard scenarios that could cause significant injuries should be highlighted to ensure that appropriate emergency plans are in place. Many other physical assets may also be at risk. These include buildings, information technology, utility systems, machinery, tools, raw materials, and inventory. The potential for environmental impact should also be considered. Consider the impact an incident could have on your relationships with customers, the surrounding community, and other stakeholders. Consider situations that would cause customers to lose confidence in your organization and its products or services.

As you conduct the risk assessment, look for vulnerabilities — weaknesses — that would make an asset more susceptible to damage from a hazard. Vulnerabilities include deficiencies in building construction, process systems, security, protection systems, and loss prevention programs. They contribute to the severity of damage when an incident occurs. For example, a building without a fire sprinkler system could burn to the ground while a building with a properly designed, installed, and maintained fire sprinkler system would suffer limited fire damage.

The impacts from hazards can be reduced by investing in risk mitigation. This can include such things as an emergency standby generator for critical equipment or purchasing insurance (i.e., flood insurance or business interruption insurance). If there is a potential for significant impacts, then creating a mitigation strategy should be a high priority.

Courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more information, visit www.fema.gov.

Publication date: 11/9/2015