Protect Your Employees in an Emergency

Employees are the most valuable asset that a business has, especially in an emergency. Involve your staff in emergency planning and awareness. Stay involved with their safety needs and suggestions. Practice!

Checklist for Employers and Employees
  • Involve your staff in emergency planning and awareness with newsletters and staff meetings.
  • Encourage all employees to prepare and keep a personal to-go bag at work.
  • Encourage or provide emergency training for staff.
  • Practice your plan and evacuation drills every six months. Set up a system of trained evacuation leaders for designated areas or levels of your office. Each leader will escort an evacuation group out of the building to a designated spot and account for employees in each designated area.
  • Inform your employees about emergency communication and decisions with coworkers, managers, vendors, and customers.
  • Provide extra time for employees to care for family and personal needs. Worries about family well-being and personal difficulties can consume workers who have experienced a disaster.
  • Reassure employees and allow for breaks where coworkers can talk openly about their fears and hopes.
  • Reestablish routines, when possible. Workplace routines facilitate recovery by providing an opportunity to be active and to restore social contact.
  • Offer professional counselors to help coworkers address their fears and anxieties.
  • Once the need to listen for emergency instructions has passed, limit television, radio, and other external stresses.
  • Make sure you and other leaders take care of your own well-being. Your personal health and recovery is vital your employees.
  • Encourage all employees to have a personal to-go bag.

 

Checklist for Employees with Special Needs
  • Plan two evacuation routes because hallways or staircases may blocked in a disaster.
  • Discuss evacuation arrangements and medical needs with your manager.
  • Create a network of caregivers, coworkers, and managers to aid you in an emergency.
  • Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment.
  • If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise building, have an escape chair.
  • Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, prescriptions, food for service animals, and any other items you might need.
  • Keep one week's supply of prescription medications at work or in a to-go bag.
  • Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require.
  • Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your disability.
  • Know the location and availability of more than one facility if you depend on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.

 

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