Although we live in a world of high technology, nobody is allowed to neglect the environmental impact of a business. From industrialized research sites to water parks and open-air theaters, all of these companies need to be aware of the natural factors that can affect their business. Understanding risk and managing activities accordingly is something every business should do. Adhering to ISO 14001 EMS will ensure that the company is ready to reduce the negative impact that natural factors have and will be able to maximize production, labor cycles and have a higher return on investment. But first, let’s find out how nature influences a business.

Natural hazards pose a serious threat to any business. Locating office buildings or industrial facilities in areas frequently affected by tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other similar events will be a big mistake. Not only will workers be exposed to life-threatening situations, but the cost of insuring assets will be high. This is why the first thing when planning a new business location is to make sure that the location is safe and not affected by frequent extreme events.

Sometimes it is companies that cause environmental problems, which in turn bring negative effects. We are talking about the waste generated by plants and other industrial buildings. There are many laws that prohibit the dumping of by-products outdoors. Not respecting the laws will not only have legal consequences, but will also create unpleasant working conditions. Working around seeping toxic waste or smelly substances will certainly change the behavior of any worker. The overall result will be a reduction in productivity and a higher risk of being sued, either by the authorities or by the workers.

When a business depends on the natural resources of an area, things get a bit more complicated. First it depends on the resource used, mainly if it can be regenerated or not. It is a totally different story to work with gold, silver or coal, which will eventually run out and there is a totally different story to work with trees or fish, like salmon, which can be regenerated (if there is proper seed management or breeding). ).

Another aspect, which is often neglected, is wildlife. The specific fauna of an area can have a great unexpected impact on a business. For example, rodents can chew on all kinds of cables and create really dangerous situations. And wild predators can even pose serious threats to a company’s workers. This is the reason why nature should not be neglected when monitoring business operations.