Disaster Preparedness Are you prepared?

Effective Disaster Plans  Your plan should outline the basic preparedness steps needed to handle the anticipated emergencies at your worksite.  It should also cover basic disaster recovery plans.

OSHA Required Elements  Emergency Action Plan Standard, (EAPS) 29 CFR  Written Emergency Response Plans are required by law for all facilities with over 10 employees; in smaller facilities, the plan can be communicated orally.  Emergency escape routes must be identified and posted, along with when to evacuate and when to shelter in place.  Procedures to account for all employees and occupants after the evacuation.  Means of reporting emergencies and summoning assistance.  Designation of persons responsible in the event of an emergency and who may be contacted regarding emergency planning (local public resources, in-house resources).  For medical emergency responders, bloodborne pathogen exposure and first aid supplies should be incorporated into the employer’s emergency action plan.

Suggested Plan Outline  Purpose  Roles & Responsibilities  Definitions  Procedure –Preparation –During –Post Event  Training  Attachments –Phone list –IT plans –Supply List –Incident Critique

Internal & External Threats  Utility Failures –Electrical failure, generator failure, fire alarm failure, information systems failure, sewage, telephone systems, water main breaks, heating/ air conditioning systems  Weather-Related Hazards –Snowstorm, ice storm, severe cold, extreme heat, humidity, flood, tornado, hurricane  Structural Hazards –Fire, smoke, chemical or hazardous material spills, gas leaks, flooding

Roles & Responsibilities  It is important everyone know their role and responsibilities during an emergency situation.  This will prevent any confusion that could potentially lead to increased property damage or employee injuries.  Roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined within the company’s Disaster/Emergency Action Plan.

Procedures – Preparation  Identify emergency supplies  Identify business-critical records  Inventory equipment  Have a camera/video equipment available  Employee & Staff Phone Lists  Client contact information  Have evacuation/relocation maps posted

Procedures – Impending Emergency  Communication – the who and how –Cell phones are a great invention! –Make use of recorded messages –Know which large companies will have plant closing information broadcast on local TV/radio  Track weather developments  Move electronic equipment, if necessary  Relocate critical paper records, if necessary

Procedures – During  Communication  Know and identify emergency signals  Evacuation routes (maps) along with alternative routes if principal routes are obstructed  Evacuation and relocation procedures should be detailed in your plan  Accounting for employees after the emergency  Address how people needing assistance will handled.  Contact person for emergency response personnel

Procedures – Post-Emergency  Communication  Ensure all persons are accounted for  Assess any damages/take pictures  Clean up and secure  Address how operations can continue if branch office sustains minor to moderate damage  Address how to relocate operations if branch office sustains severe damage  Insurance

Training  Training should be given specific to the assignment site’s facility procedures –As the employer, it is your responsibility to ensure your employees have been properly trained. A recommendation is also made to document safety training (agendas, sign in sheets, etc.)  Fire, tornado, hurricane, and other weather-related emergencies

Attachments  Phone Lists  IT Plans – data back up  Supply List  Incident Critique

Summary  A well-developed plan with proper employee training results in fewer, and less severe, injuries and less structural damage to the facility.  A poorly-prepared plan leads to a disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury and property damage.