Masonry Magazine June 1992 Page. 34
An explosion might take place caused panic. Aircraft departures were delayed, passengers were irate because they could not get to the ticket counters and subsequently, their gates. One policeman was quoted as saying, "Construction has its problems" and when the media contacted the contractor to find out what happened, it was reported that the firm had no comment. Unfortunately, even with a sound safety program, emergencies are going to occur. That's just the normal, dangerous nature of the construction business. So, if we accept this fact, then it makes sense that we should perform some contingency planning now-while calm heads prevail. The purpose of this exercise is to identify and prepare contingency plans for all of the "other" crises that could happen as a result of the first one.
As an example, let's say that you have severed a power line at one of your job sites. Now is the time to do some creative negative thinking by asking, "What other associated problems can occur as a result of a severed power line?" This exercise is called a "what if analysis" and is best accomplished in a group brainstorming session. The following is what it might sound like: We've determined that we have severed a power line.
What if an area blackout exists?
What if an area hospital is on standby power? Or a television station is on standby power, or the jobsite telephone is inoperable?
What if an explosion occurred and the jobsite is declared a danger area because of live wires?
What if political officials call with questions?
What if the company is deluged with calls from the media?
What if the building owner or developer calls with questions? the events that can go wrong, you may keep a severed power line from damaging your company's good reputation. There are few, if any, assets on your balance sheet worth more than your company's reputation. Always protect it and understand how fragile it is especially when an emergency hits.
FMI IS THE NATION'S largest management firm exclusively serving the construction industry. Principal services are marketing, crisis planning, improving productivity and quality facilitating mergers and acquisitions, and corporate evaluation and planning. Contact FMI headquarters, Raleigh, North Carolina, at 919/787-2400.
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MINYC and LI Announces Awards Competition
THE MASONRY Institute of New York City and Long Island has announced that they are accepting entries for their fifth annual Excellence in Masonry awards competition. The competition recognizes excellence in design, workmanship volume (total hours of employment), the use of masonry wall systems and exposed masonry materials in the construction of new buildings.
Entries for the competition are due by August 15. ugust 15. Applications and further information can be obtained from the Masonry Institute of New York City and Long Island, 445 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, New York 11021.