Category: Emergency Preparedness and Response

No one wants it to happen, but an emergency, natural or manmade, can strike at anytime, 24/7. What’s more, it need not be a major, nationally-televised incident, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or act of political terror. An event as common as a local building fire can present just as large a challenge to you. These resources will help you create a plan for handling such crises, whatever their scope, and to carry it out in a way that best protects your employees and your company.

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House kitchen fire

Massachusetts Explosions, Fires Highlight the Costs of Faulty Equipment

Late last week, a series of explosions across several towns in Massachusetts resulted in one fatality and several injuries. The incident, its aftermath, and the resulting investigations and lawsuits are a reminder of the costliness of failing to conduct proper maintenance and monitoring of equipment to ensure its safe operation and performance.

First Focus for National Preparedness Month: Emergency Preparedness

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is observed annually in September. The National Safety Council (NSC) wants to create awareness to prepare ourselves and families for any disaster that could impact our businesses, homes, and communities. The NPM theme for the month is Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

Stop Violence

Understanding—and Preventing—Workplace Violence

In 2018, it’s becoming imperative that every employer develop a comprehensive and effective workplace violence action plan, especially because the average workplace is now 18 times more likely to experience an incident of workplace violence than a fire, and active shooters are becoming more likely.

Cal/OSHA Summit 2018: We’re Talking About Emergency Preparedness in California!

California has more than its share of natural disasters: earthquakes, wildfires, and mudslides, to name several. The 2017 California wildfire season had a record 9,133 fires that burned more than 1.3 million acres, and in January 2018, severe mudslides shut down about 30 miles of Highway 101 between Northern and Southern California. Although California workplaces […]

Cal/OSHA Summit 2018: Prepare for the Workplace Violence Rule for General Industry

In 2017, California became the first state in the nation to implement a regulation requiring health care employers to take steps to prevent workplace violence. That rule took effect in April 2018. Now, the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, is developing a similar standard for general industry.

Construction slip trip fall

Safety 2018: A New, WISE Approach to Fall Protection Emergency Response

If there is a fall from height at your facility or construction site, would you know what to do? That was the question posed by Loui McCurley, CEO of Pigeon Mountain Industries, at her session “Rapid Response to a Fall Protection Emergency” presented at the American Society of Safety Professionals’ (ASSP) Safety 2018 Conference and […]

Tornado

EPA Urges Communities to Write Disaster Debris Plans

The EPA has issued a draft update of Planning for Natural Disaster Debris (Planning Guidance), the Agency’s main guidance for cities, counties, and tribes the EPA says should engage in comprehensive waste management planning before a disaster. According to the Agency, planning can help communities recover faster, spend less money on cleanup and debris/waste management, […]

Emergency Preparedness: Training Employees

When it comes to emergencies, you might ask yourself, how can I possibly prepare all of my employees for all possible disasters that can arise? Training for every conceivable emergency can seem daunting. How are you supposed to know what to train and at what frequency? Planning An emergency in the workplace is any situation […]