Nobody wants to think about the occurrence of an emergency at their workplace – especially a disaster which significantly affects their employees and their business.
Unfortunately, however, these situations can occur anytime and anywhere. When you least expect it, you may need to react swiftly and professionally to protect your business and your employees. A well-thought out emergency preparedness plan is an important piece of your overall business plan, and will act as a quick-reference guide you need it.
What Constitutes a Workplace Emergency?
A workplace emergency is defined by OSHA as any unforeseen situation which threatens your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or manmade, and include such scenarios as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, civil disturbances or workplace violence.
What Should a Workplace Preparedness Plan Include?
People can rarely think logically in a crisis situation. A workplace emergency plan is important to implement so that you can prepare thoroughly without pressure or stress. You may find it beneficial to include management and employees in the planning process so as to gain their participation and ownership.
A workplace preparedness plan:
- Outlines the actions which employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety on a daily basis, and to mitigate the effects of a minor occurrence.
- Includes a wide variety of potential emergencies that could occur in your workplace, from localized weather events to cyber attacks.
- Includes the development of a hazard assessment to determine if any physical or chemical hazards in your workplaces could cause an emergency. Should these threats exist, the maintenance and care of such materials should have their own contingency plan.
- Includes methods for reporting fires and other emergencies; evacuation policies and procedures; and escape procedures if necessary.
- Details names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of important contacts, whether a part of the company or external contacts.
- Identifies responsibilities of personnel needed to perform essential services or shut down critical plant operations. These employees may need to follow different procedures than the general employee population.
- Identifies a designated assembly location or check-in method to account for the safety or whereabouts of all personnel and employees. There will be two plans – one for if the emergency happens onsite during work hours, and another should the emergency be regional.
Implementing the Workplace Emergency Plan
You will need to educate your employees about the types of emergencies which may occur and are covered by your plan, as well as train them as to their role.
Setting aside a time to practice drills and scenarios will help to ensure a more successful response should an actual disaster occur. Your employees should understand where to go, who to contact, and the closest avenue of escape.
Be sure all your employees understand all types of potential emergencies and the associated reporting procedures, alarm systems, evacuation plans, and shutdown procedures.
Don’t Forget: New employees will need to be apprised of the emergency preparedness plan as a part of their new hire orientation.
An emergency preparedness plan is an important tool for any business operation, no matter its size or scope. Having proper insurance coverage for your facility and employees should also a critical part of your planning.
For more information on how to best protect your business, employees, and family, call the insurance professionals at Anderson & Associates Insurance.
