Emergencies can happen at any time, wreaking havoc and devastation and taking a costly toll on the lives of workers and on the finances of business and industry. Your workers play a key role in the execution of your company's emergency preparedness plan. And since September 2008 marks the fifth annual National Preparedness Month in the United States, it's a good time to review the topic of emergency preparedness with your workers.

5 Steps to Emergency Preparedness

It's often said that the best defense is a good offense, and when it comes to emergency preparedness, the best strategy is to Prepare and Plan to safely Respond. Here's how.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Existing Plans

Your first step is to review and re-evaluate your company's emergency response plan, making sure that plans are in place for all possible types of emergencies. These can include, but aren't limited to:

Step 2: Train Your Workers

Your next step is to review your company's emergency response procedures and policies with workers. Ensure that all employees (including new and returning workers) have received orientation and training in these areas:

Step 3: Communicate Your Plans and Procedures

Once everyone has received proper training, it's important to keep workers up to date and involved in your company's emergency planning. Use internal communications tools such as handouts, posters, newsletters and intranets to keep workers informed of emergency plans and procedures.

Step 4: Practice

It's also important to practice your emergency response plan. Schedule regular drills and exercises for all potential situations to help keep your workers prepared for the unexpected.

Step 5: Drive the Message Home

Of course, emergencies also occur in the home and the community. Stress to your workers the importance of developing and testing family and individual emergency preparedness plans.

Conclusion

During an emergency or crisis, the biggest risk to your workers in the workplace is the confusion and panic resulting from being unprepared. If you keep workers informed, educated, trained and practiced, they will be able to respond to a crisis in a more self-assured, confident manner.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Are you prepared for this?

Lessons from a Survivor of Hurricane Katrina

By Mark Habersack

A few months ago, Cailey Bennett wrote an article on how to prepare for a hurricane. Although the article was good, there are some other issues it didn't address. As a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, I know firsthand that there are other things that you must be aware of and prepared for.

Here are six points to consider:

1. Phone Service

Keep in mind that phone service and cell phone service may not be working. It is a good idea to know the emergency numbers but be aware that they may not work.

2. The Structure

Being in a low part or ground floor of your home or building during the storm is great; however I lost friends because the water level rose past 25 feet which drove people to the upper floors and into the attic then the unthinkable happened... They died because they were trapped. Some by drowning, some by the collapse while trying to get out, and others when the entire structure was destroyed because of the wind, tornados and/or flooding. You need to have contingency plans for the worse case scenario.

3. Supplies

It has been recommended that you have 3-5 days of supplies on hand, but do not believe it. Ensure that you have up to 14 days of supplies. It took 11 days for many of us in Katrina to get help. The only person you can depend on after a Katrina event is yourself. Also note that after a Katrina event you will not have power and that means little or no air conditioning, it will be very hot so make sure you have plenty of water (lots of it).

4. Toilets

After a Katrina-type event during the first 1-2 days it is OK to use a bucket of water to flush the toilets; however when you get to day 3, you may be faced with the realization that you will not be able to flush the toilet with the bucket of water. This is due to the lift stations (which rely on electricity) to become backed up. This means it will back up into your home. You will need to make plans to use a facility (like an outhouse or makeshift toilet) outside your home.

5. Insurance

Even if you're not in a flood zone, get flood insurance and make sure that you also have wind insurance. This is critical and surprisingly not that expensive. Many homeowners and renters could have been better covered for their losses with it. Yes, renters can get this type of coverage too.

6. Returning or Moving About After the Storm

The one thing not listed in the article is the very high potential for puncture wounds from nails, splinters, and other sharp objects. Watch where you are walking and wear good shoes.

Conclusion

There are many more things to consider. If you're new to an area that is prone to hurricanes do all that you can to ensure that you are prepared and aware of some of the hidden dangers.

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