How Companies Can Prepare for Emergencies and Disasters

Workplace Emergency Planning What preparations should be made by companies to be ready to respond when there is an emergency? What kinds of emergencies should employees and management be prepared for? What actions should be taken when an emergency occurs in the workplace? These issues will be discussed in this paper, with references from the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Emergencies and Preparation - OSHA The truth of the matter is that no one really expects an emergency or a disaster, but as OSHA points out on page 1, a disaster can happen almost anywhere. And even though a disaster cannot be predicted, because it threatens workers and the public and customers it is vitally important that companies be prepared. What are some of the emergencies that might occur in a workplace? Depending on the geographic location of the workplace, several emergencies can be anticipated by the forward-thinking management team.

Floods, fires, toxic gas releases, chemical spills, radiological accidents, explosions, civil disturbance and workplace violence -- these emergencies could happen almost anywhere. When it comes to hurricanes, there are only a few places (along the Gulf Coast or the East Coast of the United States) where they could occur. And tornadoes are pretty much limited to certain geographic areas (a tornado in California, or Nevada, Arizona, Utah or other western states is a very rare and unlikely event).

Still, because few people are able to "…think clearly and logically in a crisis, so it is important" to think clearly and logically in advance of any emergency (OSHA). The U.S.

Department of Labor suggests brainstorming the "worst-case scenarios"; for example, what if a train carrying hazardous waste happened to derail near the building where employees are at work? For companies located near railroad tracks, this is a potential emergency (even a potential disaster) and plans should be in place, and training should be done, to prepare for the worst case scenario.

Employees will not only need to know where to go in the event of an evacuation (routes and exits must be clearly posted), they should be in the loop as far as how to "…shut down critical plant operations," how to operate fire extinguishers, what their department should do in the event of an emergency and what key personnel (plant manager, physician or nurse) should be relied upon as well (OSHA).

Other important points regarding emergencies that are provided by OSHA include: a) alarms must be "distinctive" so that workers know its sound; b) an reliable emergency communications system must be in place and tested often; c) procedures must be in place for people with disabilities or who don't speak English well; d) in case of fire, accounting records and legal documents should be duplicated and kept in an off-site secure location; e) managers must be fully aware of outside emergency services (fire departments, medical aid); f) assembly areas where evacuated workers will gather must be clearly identified; and g) if medical facilities are not located nearby, the company must train first-aid staff on hand.

Preparing for the Unthinkable -- American Red Cross The American Red Cross has a number of recommendations in terms of helping industry be prepared for an emergency. Phone lists of "key employees and customers" should be copied and shared with managers. Management should provide a voice mail system with a phone number that all workers have access to and can call to get updated information vital.