How do you prepare for an emergency when you don’t know how, when, or what will happen? There are several types of emergencies that can occur in the workplace. To further complicate the issue, workplace emergencies can differ by geographical region or industry. They can include workplace violence/active shooter, terrorism, medical emergencies, power failure, natural disasters/severe weather, and epidemics. No matter what the emergency is, it is the responsibility of employers to have policies and procedures in place for all employees to follow and feel safe in their work environments.

 

 

The priority of emergency preparedness involves directing people to safety. Employers can take preventative measures by practicing emergency drills, utilizing training sessions, creating main contacts for specific duties, and working with first responders to ensure all workers are led away from danger. To preserve business capability, being prepared for emergencies also includes protecting resources by minimizing the damage to equipment, machinery, and tools. Efficient practices can help to ensure that there is less downtime when employees return to work.

 

 

The first step to preparing for workplace emergencies is creating a diverse emergency preparedness team made up of all levels of employees from different departments, such as Information Technology and Operations. This team should know the coworkers of their respective departments, different locations where the company operates, and the daily work activities that enable the business to function. They should also ensure that they are aware of the assistance and training that first responders can provide to employees, including first aid, CPR, and the proper use of fire extinguishers.

 

The second step would be to assess the different emergencies that would create specific threats to the physical (building, equipment, land, employees) and operational (vendors, IT security, communications) work environment. The team should analyze both small and large-scale emergencies.

 

The third step would be to create an emergency response plan. It should address all actions needed to protect the lives of employees and anyone who is visiting the work facility. Directions on how to evacuate, shelter from weather and airborne chemical releases, as well as lockdown procedures from threats of violence, are just some of the scenarios that should be addressed in the emergency response plan. The plan should also include protocols on how warnings and notifications will be communicated. All employees must provide current personal and emergency contact information. The plan needs to include information for remote employees, such as how these workers will maintain access to company information and cybersecurity risks. While it is better to be overprepared, using an emergency response plan provides an opportunity to analyze and improve upon processes after the events. Consistent communication about the emergency response plan to employees will go a long way in making them feel that your company is concerned about their health and well-being.

 

Details on how to prepare for different emergencies are listed on www.ready.gov, created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For additional info on hurricane preparedness, you can check out this recent FrankCrum blog: https://blog.frankcrum.com/osha-hurricane-preparedness-guidance-for-businesses.