Emergency Preparedness At Work: Planning For A Disaster

16 February 2017
 Categories: , Blog

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While you may know the procedure for a fire drill at work, you may not be prepared for other types of emergencies that can happen during the course of your work day. Whether you work in a busy urban area or in a less populated area, emergency preparedness at work is important to ensuring the safety of everyone in your office. Here are just a few things you can do to keep your office prepped and ready in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Create Personal Survival Desk Kits

Having the right emergency preparedness equipment can help to keep your employees safe and cared for during an emergency. Consider creating personal survivor kits for all of your employees, and have the kits placed inside each desk. The kits should include first aid equipment, such as bandages and antiseptic wipes, as well as power bars and other small snacks. A flashlight, flares, and a radio can all be helpful additions to this kit. Make sure to check the kits regularly in case your staff happens to use items inside the kit, so you can replace any missing items as needed.

Install Backup Generators

If you don't already have a backup generator for your office, you may want to consider purchasing one. The generator can run essential services in the event of a power outage, such as keeping emergency lights on and providing a way to charge phones and other communication devices. Take the time to learn how to operate the generator so you know what to do in the event of an emergency, and encourage your managers and supervisors to learn as well.

Post Emergency Procedure Rules

You may already have escape routes for fires posted in your building, but you might not have considered posting evacuation routes and information for other types of procedures. Work with your safety team to come up with a plan for each type of emergency or disaster, and create a simple, easy-to-read list for all the scenarios you wish to cover. Host surprise drills throughout the year to keep your employees ready for anything that might happen while they are at work.

Add A Centralized Supply Center

Your employees can benefit from having personal survival kits at their desks, but you may want to be prepared for the possibility of a long-term emergency that might keep your employees in your building. To prepare for this, consider converting one closet in your office into a centralized supply center. This closet should hold extra first aid kits, bottled water, emergency blankets and ponchos, and other preparedness equipment. Organize your items into brightly colored containers, and label each one so you can find the equipment you need in the event of an emergency at the office.

Let your staff know about your concerns, and encourage them to share any thoughts or ideas they may have for disaster preparedness as well. As a team, you can work to ensure everyone is safe and secure while inside your office building. Click here for more information.