This story is sponsored by ASE Computers.
Nobody likes to think about worst-case scenarios. But from a business perspective, planning for disaster isn’t just a good thing to do if you have the time.
It’s an absolutely vital measure to protect the future of your business – and failing to do so could be catastrophic.
One man who knows all about the importance of disaster planning is Chris Dickinson.
Running IT sales and services company ASE Computers for almost 30 years, he has seen plenty of disasters in other businesses and has done more than his fair share of work to fix them.
However, he says, some simple planning could save a lot of pain and cost if the worst should happen.
Chris said:
“When people go into business, they tend to focus on the positives – they don’t consider what might happen if things go wrong.
“But it can happen so easily. A simple mistake or a fault can kick of a chain of events that lead a business into real trouble.”
While most people don’t know where to start when it comes to planning for a potential disaster, Chris has a thorough approach to ensuring every possibility is considered.
He begins with a series of questions:
“What happens if your IT systems go down? Or your phones or internet supply? What if you can’t access your bank account?
“Is your data secure? What happens if it comes under attack or you lose access to it?
“If you can’t use your office because of a flood or a fire, what then? What if a key person is suddenly unable to work for any reason?
“If something goes wrong, is there a system in place for reporting it and dealing with it? Who’s in charge? Who takes responsibility for what?
“All these sorts of questions really do need to be asked if you’re to protect yourself from the worst-case scenario.”
Disaster planning for payroll clients with 90% digital process
For one of ASE’s clients, putting in place a disaster plan has proved invaluable.
Pay Me asked Chris and his team to do some research into the company’s IT infrastructure and produce a disaster recovery document.
The firm offers payroll for companies around the UK, a process which is 90% digital.
Once the review was complete, the ASE team put together a series of recommendations, explaining how each would benefit Pay Me and assist if the worst should happen.
Once the IT system was in place, other aspects were considered: phones and internet, as well as staff responsibilities and hierarchy.
The disaster recovery plan was put to Pay Me’s board for the final sign-off, which they were happy to do.
Not only did it mean peace of mind for everyone from the directors down to the staff, it could also be used for Pay Me’s insurers. ASE produced an executive summary of the plan to demonstrate how prepared the company was for any eventuality.
Chris said:
“It might seem like a luxury to have a thorough disaster recovery plan, but if the worst should happen, you need to be prepared.
“The arrival of the covid pandemic and the need for everyone to stay at home shows just how quickly something can happen that affects how you operate.
“Companies with an effective plan were able to put actions in place quickly, getting their team members up and running at home, and therefore minimising any losses to the business in terms of productivity.
“While we hope we never have to face that kind of situation again, having a disaster recovery plan in place is absolutely vital to protect you from any eventuality.”
To find out more about how ASE Computers can help your business to be ready for anything, click here.
Environment Agency called to investigate potential Ripon pollutionThe Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water are being called upon to investigate a foaming discharge into the River Ure in Ripon.
There are fears the discharge could be potentially harmful to humans, aquatic life and water fowl.
The Stray Ferret contacted the EA incident line after seeing the discharge yesterday and understands that the stretch of river near the Duchess of Kent Bridge on the A61 Ripon bypass has been affected since the weekend.
James Thornborough, an internationally-recognised authority on spillage on land and water, reported the incident to YW and said it would be normal practice for them to share the information with the EA.
The expert, who lives in nearby Sharow, told the Stray Ferret:
“I pass this part of river, which can be seen from the Dishforth Road, on a regular basis and on Sunday noticed the foaming on the water coming from a drainage outlet that feeds into the Ure.
“In my opinion this is not normal occurrence for this part of the river and that is why I reported it.
“It certainly warrants scrutiny by the EA to find out what exactly is being discharged and whether it is benign or potential harmful to people and animals.
“If it is discovered to be harmful, urgent remedial action will need to be taken.”
The drainage outlet (top right on the photograph) has been the source of the white foaming substance.
Mr Thornborough added:
“The EA, as the national competent authority for protecting the natural environment of the UK, is bound to assess any reported pollution incident and I would urge anybody who witnesses something like this, that looks out of place, to report it as soon as possible.
“Rivers collect water naturally from the atmosphere (rainfall), surface drainage (run off), ground waters, and underground aquifers.
“Unfortunately rivers must also cope with Industrial waste. Controlled industrial discharges are subject to license conditions. Uncontrolled industrial discharges occur due to operating controls failures, accidents or deliberate intention (criminal behaviour).”
What can the Environment Agency do?
Mr Thornborough said he expected the EA to analyse water samples. He added:
“Industrial pollution can reduce the concentration of bio dissolved oxygen in the water phase which can cause fish kills.
“At the very least, the biodiversity of the River Ure in the surrounds of this foaming event, has likely been impacted and microscopic marine organisms will have been killed upsetting the food chain.
“With this in mind, all stakeholders – from business operators, to the public and compliance organisations such as the EA, have a role to play in ensuring that our precious water resources are safeguarded.”
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Still no TV or radio services for district residents after transmitter fire
Thousands of homes across the north of the Harrogate district remain without TV or radio freeview services, a week after a major fire at a transmitter mast.
The blackout was caused by the fire last Tuesday that put the 315-metre Bilsdale transmitter out of action.
The loss of the transmitter is affecting parts of Harrogate, Boroughbridge, Kirkby Malzeard, Knaresborough, Masham, Pateley Bridge, Ripon and other locations that rely on a signal that serves the Tyne Tees region.
An update issued on Friday by Arqiva, owners of the transmitter, estimated that the repair work will take up to 14 days.
Read more:
As viewers and listeners ask questions about when they can tune in once more to freeview on TV and radio, one resident has contacted Julian Smith MP requesting that the government look at the bigger picture, in relation to critical infrastructure that serves millions of people.
Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.
James Thornborough, who lives in Sharow and whose work saw him specialise in disaster planning, recovery and business continuity, told the Stray Ferret:
“I emailed Mr Smith to raise wider concerns about the potential ramifications of the loss of the service from the mast.
“There is clearly a need to have robust contingency plans in place that anticipate the potential for this kind of occurrence at the Bilsdale transmitter and how to resolve it. ..
In my email to Mr Smith, I said – I am sure you will concede that a TV service being lost to one million viewers qualifies as the loss of a critical national infrastructure service, not least because it deprives the broadcasting companies of the ability to share public safety communications (breaking safety news) by TV or Radio to the design scope audience.”
In an email response, Mr Smith said:
“I note the concerns you have raised in this respect, and have sent a copy of your email together with an email of my own, to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, to pass your points on to him.
“I will write to you again as soon as a reply is received.”
In its statement on Friday, Arqiva, provided an update on on-going reinstatement works at the existing site and efforts to bring a television signal back to thousands of properties.
It said:
“We have had some success during phase 1 of our recovery plan using the Eston Nab site to restore services for some areas.
“Eston Nab is unfortunately unable to reach all the areas served by the larger Bilsdale mast, as broadcast signals rely on line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver (your rooftop aerial).
“This is the reason why masts such as the one at Bilsdale need to be so tall, and why they are located where they are – to reach as many homes as possible.”
For many avid TV watchers and radio listeners, a two-week wait is too long and they are looking for other means of tuning in to their favourite programmes.
This can range from re-setting digital TV boxes, to calling in professionals to have their aerials turned to pick up the signal from the Emley Moor Transmitter, which serves the Yorkshire television area.
People can also tune in via the BBC iPlayer.
Investigation into contaminated soil dumping in Sharow
The Environment Agency (EA) is investigating contractors who dumped contaminated material on an ancient lane in Sharow near Ripon.
Approximately 100 cubic metres of soil and debris soaked with domestic heating oil, remains in Back Lane at its junction with New Road.
David and Lynda Lees, who are in their seventies, were the victims of botched clearance work after a 25-year-old plastic storage tank developed a leak that saturated their back garden.
David Lees
Mr Lees, who worked for many years in the construction industry before his retirement, told the Stray Ferret:
“The contractors were appointed by our insurance company, after we put in a claim.
“Following the work in our back garden I realised what had been done with the soil and other material that had been cleared.
“I did everything I could to get the mess sorted out, making phone calls and sending numerous emails, but felt I was getting nowhere.”
Mr and Mrs Lees have received powerful support from fellow villagers, including James Thornborough, an international expert in oil spills on land and water and Simon Warwick, director of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust, who has advised some of the world’s leading oil companies.
Between them, the two men with their specialist knowledge, contacted all relevant bodies, from the EA to Sharow Parish Council and their intervention brought action.
Mr Thornborough said:
“Because of its pervasive nature, all oil spillages need to be taken seriously and handled carefully, particularly in a situation like this, when a large quantity of heating oil has seeped over time into soil.
“The subsequent dumping of this contaminated material on a public thoroughfare that has been in use since medieval times, is unforgiveable.”
“Back Lane is open to the public who, by simply walking along it, can unwittingly spread the contamination to other parts of the village, their own homes and anywhere else they go.”
Mr Warwick, who received an MBE for his outstanding work as a conservationist, added:
“The consequences of this dumping and piling up against a heritage hedgerow are serious for birds, mammals and other land-based creatures, as well as aquatic animals.
“I have seen that oil has been washed into water courses via the rainwater drains and this will ultimately affect aquatic animals and the food chain.”
Read more:
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said it had responded swiftly:
“The soils should not have been left in the lane and we are investigating to determine if any environmental offences have been committed.
“We are also seeking assurances from the company responsible that the soils will be removed as soon as possible and any subsequent remediation work that may be required is carried out quickly.”