Was wondering if anyone is being roped into planning for power outages over the next 6 months or so. the govt has mooted this may (or may not happen). Was wondring from a H&S perspective what you are planning...torches, water supplies, etc. unbelievable this may even happen but it i something I am being aked to comment on as we plan for a winter of possible power outages

Consider IF

your emergency lighting is functional (and for what period)

your IT/communications/security systems (likely to now include telephones through the server) have a functional/suitable UPS (Uninteruptable Power Supply)

the capacity in such back-up systems (be surprised how quickly UPS can drain as these are typically an emergency to permit back up data saves rather than run a business - the ones BT are currently providing to domestic digital customers manage one hour!)

how quickly these recycle (charge to full capacity prior to re-use once power is restored)

issues with access controls (swipe cards, barriers)

that local mobile phone towers / traffic signals may be out of action

You would not want

staff to be using toilets by candle/torch light nor conducting employment activity

to be starting production requiring long non-interrupted processing

to be on site without hot and cold running water

So to some extent it comes down to how quickly you can respond to an outage, how long the outage could be and how quickly you could restart.

Logistics & Retail you need to consider warehousing may need to temporarily halt activity without power whilst shops should not remain open placing the general public at risk.

With these muted as "planned" events it is receiving early notification and effecting timely response that should be in any planning.