Are You Ready? How to Prepare for Emergencies

Accidents can happen in your workplace anytime. You can experience something as minor as a paper cut or as major as an explosion. If accidents occur in your facility, are you prepared?

Emergency preparedness products complete your company’s exit, fire and evacuation plan.

September is National Preparedness Month, which is observed annually since its inception in 2004. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 3,000 organizations across the country will hold various activities to promote emergency preparedness.

Your company can support this campaign in your own way. Follow these steps from Ready to create your own office emergency plan.

Stay informed

Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency prepares your company from many forms of danger. Your employees should know how to recognize hazards, find ways to avoid them or minimize their impact, and locate emergency kits or stations. Don’t forget to post a list of emergency numbers in case your employees need serious medical attention.

Brainstorm with your employees to get suggestions on how to improve emergency preparedness in your workplace. If you decide to change a policy or instruction, don’t forget to inform everyone.

Make a plan

Create a systematic emergency procedure. Keep instructions clear and simple, so your employees can respond immediately and properly.

Provide an emergency evacuation map and floor plans. These would help your workers locate emergency exits faster. Assign specific responsibilities to certain workers to ensure a faster, more efficient response.

Look for industry-specific safety training programs that cater your needs. You can also use videos and hands-on training to make your workers’ learning experience fun and practical. Regularly practice your emergency plan to help your staff remember the details.

Prepare emergency kits

Ensure you have emergency preparedness products such as emergency signs, first aid kits, and evacuation kits on the jobsite. Place the kits in strategic locations where workers can conveniently see and access them anytime. Regularly check if your kits’ contents are complete and not expired. Use signs to help your employees locate these kits.

Provide specific instructions for fire, explosions, chemical spills and natural disasters in your facility with this handy Emergency Evacuation Plan and Map Kit.

If there are reconstructions or renovations in your building, update your evacuation plans. Advise your workers to keep their own emergency kits nearby. You can refer to Ready PA’s checklist of kit essentials including food, water, medication, flashlight and personal hygiene items.

Practice these tips not only in September, but year-round so your workers can enjoy a safe workplace all the time!

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Editor’s Note: How are you prepared for emergencies? Let the Emedco community know your best  practices!