We all remember the 1986 Bhopal incident that involved the spill of a hazardous material near a community in India. Residents are still suffering the ill effects. More recently, there was an explosion in a meat processing plant in Booneville, Arkansas, involving 88,000 pounds of Anhydrous Ammonia. City officials ordered the evacuation of over 800 employees and over 4,000 residents. What nobody considered was an alternate response: sheltering-in-place. Let me explain what sheltering-in-place is and why you should consider it in your emergency preparedness plans.

Sheltering-in-Place Is an Alternative to Evacuation

Sheltering-in-place is a protection effort that has become a staple within emergency management. Basically, sheltering-in-place means staying inside your home, workplace or other building until an emergency passes and the "all clear" is given. It's an effective method of short-term protection and generally can be performed quickly and effectively.

The sheltering-in-place process involves interior evacuation to a safe-area created with tape and plastic sheets, enclosing the environment to prevent or limit the invasion of a hazardous material.

Comparing Evacuation to Sheltering-in-Place

Let's suppose a hazardous plume or some similar threat is traveling towards your workplace. You have only a little time to respond. What should you do? Your options: order an evacuation or arrange for your workers to shelter-in-place.

Let's take a closer look at each of the options:

Option 1: Evacuation

If you choose to evacuate your workforce, you must:

• Locate a suitable evacuation route to recommend. For example, would you be evacuating people travel through contaminated areas?
• Consider how you'll control the release and accountability of your workforce. It would be difficult to control the actions of evacuees not proceeding directly home.

Option 2: Shelter-in-Place

If you choose to shelter-in-place, you must:

• Be prepared. You need to have all the necessary materials at-hand to create the safe area, including ample tape and plastic sheets.
• Have established designated safe-areas for withdrawal;
• Have stockpiled food and water;
• Have medical supplies;
• Have access to toilet facilities;
• Be able to let employees call their loved ones.

Conclusion

Before September 11, 2001, the mindset of many safety professionals was to prepare for emergencies, but not assume the worst scenario. Most of us weren't thinking beyond fire drills. But today's world requires us to prepare for more menacing contingencies. Now we have to consider vehicles spilling hazardous cargos on motorways or industrial complexes spilling hazardous materials and affecting local communities. If this article has convinced you to start thinking beyond evacuation drills, good! Now what are your next steps? We'll look at those next week.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Be Ready for Anything, at Work and at Home

By Ted Morrison.

So while you're readying your workplace for the worst that nature or humans can throw at you, have you thought about emergencies at or near your home? Disaster can strike at any time, not just between eight and five on weekdays. Here are three simple steps to make sure your home and family can ride out rough times:

1. Have an Idea of the Risks

It makes little sense to prepare for flooding if you live atop a mountain in the desert. Evaluate the dangers you might face. Do a little research. For example, if your home's near an industrial area, check local newspaper archives for toxic spills, leaks and fires. Check what the weather can get up to, no matter where you live.

2. Have a Plan

Keep it simple, and ensure everyone knows what part they play in your home emergency plan. Encourage everyone to keep a small "grab-and-go" bag of nonessential stuff you may not have in your family kit (a book, a game, etc.). Everyone should have a list of contacts, including at least two out-of-state-or-province numbers: Disasters can mess up communication within a fairly large area.

3. Have a Kit

Be prepared to survive at least three days in your home without power or access to fresh water. It may take workers that long to get to you. For a real "suspenders-and-belt" approach, plan for a week. You'll need food and water for your whole family (don't forget pets) for the whole period.

Plan on packing at least the following items, and make sure you pack them so that they can be carried out if you have to leave your home:

Remember to give each family member a copy of your emergency plan, and keep one in your kit. Your plan should detail where to rendezvous, how long to wait, who to contact, and where to go if you have to leave. Keep a two-person emergency kit in your car(s) as well.

Preparedness is your big advantage in a crisis. Your family will get through the hard times more easily if you're ready for them. Remember to update your supplies at least once a year, and medicines more often if necessary.

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