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.

Free Special Report: 50 Tips for More Effective Safety Training

Hot Training Topics for Fire Safety

Not only do your employees need to know how to respond to workplace fires, they also have to understand how to help prevent them. That’s a lot of information to communicate about fire safety, and no better time than the present. All employees should know the essentials for responding effectively in the event of a […]

How to Implement an Effective Preparedness Program

Yesterday, we talked about managing a workplace emergency response program. Today, we focus on implementation. Ready.gov says that implementation of a workplace preparedness program includes: Assessing risks Identifying and assessing resources Writing plans Developing a system to manage incidents Training employees so they can execute plans. In particular, Ready.gov recommends taking action on the following […]

Emergency Preparedness: Ready for the Next One?

September is National Preparedness Month, so what better time to review your workplace emergency response program? The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website www.Ready.gov says that a workplace preparedness program must be "built on a foundation of management leadership, commitment, and financial support. Without management commitment and financial support, it will be difficult to build the […]

Plan for Workplace Disasters: Part 2

Yesterday, we presented steps 1-3 of a 4-step plan to prepare for workplace emergencies. Today, we conclude with the final step, implementation of the plan. Implementation means more than simply exercising the plan during an emergency. It also means: Acting on recommendations made during the vulnerability analysis Training employees Integrating the plan into company operations […]

Do You Have a Plan for Workplace Disasters?

In the past few months, disasters have been prominent, from the Texas fertilizer plan explosion to the Boston bombings and the Oklahoma tornado. In light of those events, we present a 4-step disaster preparedness plan for the workplace. Step 1: Establish a Planning Team The size of the planning team depends on your facility’s operations, […]

What’s Your Policy on Employees Using Fire Extinguishers?

Many workplaces are equipped with portable fire extinguishers that can control small fires, preventing property damage and loss of life. However, OSHA rules prohibit workers from using fire extinguishers unless they have received training in their proper use. According to 29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2), "Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in […]