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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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The design requirements for exit routes are found in 29 CFR 1910.36. Here’s a quick look at the basic requirements. Is each exit a permanent part of your facility? [1910.36(a)(1)] Do the construction materials used to separate exits have at least a one-hour fire resistance rating if the exit connects three stories or less? [1910.36(a)(2)] […]
Are you ready for a severe emergency? Many businesses aren’t adequately prepared and as a result 40% of businesses affected by a disaster never reopen. Fires and explosions impact some 70,000 U.S. businesses and cause 200 employee fatalities each year. Other emergencies such as natural disasters, chemical spills, and incidents of workplace violence also take […]
OSHA has many requirements for confined spaces training, but compliance doesn’t have to be difficult. Permit-required confined space training must include three key issues: Nature of the hazards Actions to take when exposed to hazards How to arrange for a rescue So says Michael Lawrence, principal of Summit Safety Technologies (Long Beach, CA), accomplished safety […]
Because of the many hazards associated with confined spaces and the potential for fatal accidents, OSHA requires employers to have a confined-space rescue procedure. Whether the rescue team is internal or external, members of the team must understand how to help victims inside the space during emergencies and get them out safely. Once the rescue […]
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 […]
Today, some questions about workplace fire safety compliance, with answers from OSHA. What should you do to protect workers from fire hazards? You should train workers about fire hazards in the workplace and about what to do in a fire emergency. If you want your workers to evacuate, you should train them on how to […]
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 […]