Disaster Recovery and Preparedness
The loss of vital records in a disaster will cripple your agency or workplace.
How can you avoid this? Simple procedures can be adopted in every workplace
to greatly reduce or eliminate such a loss.
You first need to prepare a Disaster Preparedness Plan. The Queensland State Archives has collated a list of resources for you to consider when preparing your plan QSA PSA-6 On-Line Disaster Planning and Response Resources includes web links to Disaster Manual templates, Guides and Plans, Disaster Networks and Learnings (outcomes and experiences) from recent disasters.
If a disaster occurs in your workplace remember:
- Emergency Services will be in control. Follow their directions.
- People safety is always a priority
- Contact Disaster Recovery Team members to meet near the disaster site.
- Plan your recovery action. Do not rush. Time spent in planning will greatly increase the effectiveness of the records recovery process. Contact the Queensland State Archives’ Preservation Services Section for advice and assistance.
- Enter the disaster site only on approval of Emergency Services. Limit initial entry to Building Manager, Records Manager and Safety Officer (or equivalents).
- Assess the condition of the area and the records, particularly vital records.
- If the incident is beyond your physical resources you may need to contact commercial recovery specialists.
- Prioritise records for salvage.
- Prepare work areas and protect unaffected records.
- Salvage records according to their priority.
- Stabilize records by air drying or freezing according to their condition and resources available.
- Clean-up disaster site (ensuring the area is completely dry) and reshelve dry records.
- Review and report.
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Last Updated: Wednesday, 23 July 2008
