“Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.”
As the theme of this year’s National Preparedness Month, it couldn’t be truer. You can never know when a disaster will strike but you can do your best to be ready when it comes, whether you are at home, at work or travelling the world.
When it comes to the workplace there are a number of ways that you can ensure that you and your colleagues are prepared for emergencies and disasters.
Gather Emergency Supplies
When preparing supplies for an emergency, it is important to go back to the basics – clean water, food and warmth. Determine which supplies the company can provide and which should be the responsibility of the employee. While you cannot force your employees to keep essentials at hand, you want to be sure that you recommend they keep a customized kit at hand that meets their special needs, including medications.
Recommended emergency supplies, whether they are the responsibility of the company or the individual, usually include:
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- A Battery Powered Radio
- A Flashlight
- Extra Batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Whistle
- Tools to turn off utilities
- Waterproof Matches
- Emergency Blanket
- Particulate Masks
- Garbage Bags
- Moist Towelettes
- Hygiene Items
- Change of Clothes
- An Extra Pair of Glasses
- Medications
Make a Plan
There are all sorts of emergencies that can occur and, depending on the type of emergency, your response will be different.
The problem is, you want to make it as easy as possible for employees and colleagues to remember what to do. That is why it is recommended that you have two plans – an evacuation plan and a plan for if you have to stay inside.
Your evacuation plan should include procedures for an orderly exit from the building while the plan for staying should outline where the safest place to convene depending on the specific emergency. What do you want people to do and where should they go if there is a tornado, an earthquake or a chemical spill?
You want to be sure that the procedure is in writing and that it takes into consideration staff, guests and customers who may be on site. If you have multiple buildings on the property, each one should have its own set of plans.
Train and Practice
We all remember practicing emergency drills in elementary school, whether they were for fire, tornados, hurricanes or code reds. While they seemed more annoying than practical, they did ensure that everyone knew what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.
That is why you need to practice. It may be momentarily disruptive, but in the long run, it could save lives.
To get everyone up to snuff, you want to ensure each staff member is aware of the procedures and their roles in various situations. This can be easily done through seminars and update meetings.
Once everyone understands what to do, hold practice drills. If you share your space with other businesses, work with them to coordinate your emergency plan and practice session. This will help avoid confusion during the actual emergency.
You will also want to ensure that you have enough staff trained in first aid to ensure that any sort of medical emergency can be dealt with effectively.
At F.A.S.T. Rescue, we offer a number of safety and preparedness kits, as well as training courses. To find the best solutions for your needs, head to our store or give us a call.
We look forward to working with you.
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About F.A.S.T. Rescue
F.A.S.T. Rescue are health and safety experts offering consulting, supplies and training solutions that help make employees safe in the workplace. We’re passionate about health and safety, offering unrivaled value and solutions with a satisfaction guarantee. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.