Planning For Workplace Emergencies: A Brief Discussion

Nobody can predict the occurrence of a disaster or an emergency especially one that’s capable of affecting them extensively.

If you don’t have a proper emergency plan for your business workplace, it’s time you do so as soon as possible. In here, I’ll discuss a few workplace related emergencies accompanied with a few contingency plans in greater details.

Different types of emergencies

There are plenty to be honest if you include both the natural and manmade types of emergencies.

Some of the emergencies capable of besetting your business are:

• Floods and tornadoes
• Hurricanes
• Fires and chemical spills or even toxic gas
• Workplace explosion and violence

A properly organized contingency plan as a part of your business policy is the only thing that can keep you at bay from these dangers posed on your business.

Here are some great tips on framing the perfect workplace emergency plan:

Always think of the worst case scenarios at the start

You need to chalk out all the problems first in greater details to convert the same into their respective solutions.

What happens if a devastating fire breaks out in your boiler area? Or what happens if your office workplace is stuck by a hurricane? What are the possible casualties and destructions that you might have to face in situations like that? Chalk these things out by brainstorming a bit and note them down sequentially on a piece of paper.

A little bit of research can go a long way indeed. Your contingency plan should take shape on basis of all these points you make on your piece of paper.

An easily accessible first aid kit

That small box can actually be a life saver depending on the situation of emergency. So make sure you have plans made for having a thoroughly decorated first aid kit in your business workplace.

The first aid kit should be placed in easily accessible areas in accident-prone zones.

Consider placing emergency phones numbers in easily noticeable places

These should include things like police, fire and ambulance hotlines; medical supervisory intercom number or any other emergency-handling team intercom number (if you have any).

Just make sure that all these numbers are placed in easily noticeable places such that anybody can gain an instant glimpse at these numbers in jiffy. A list of these numbers should always be present in accident prone areas of your workplace.

A basic employee safety training is advisable indeed

Every employee should undergo basic safety training irrespective of the nature of the workplace. No matter whether the organization’s corporate or not, basic safety training is a definite part of the necessity rather than a part of the problem.

Employees should know basic things like operating a fire extinguisher at the very least to prepare themselves against all form of hazards that might come anywhere anytime without any prior notice.

Do remember that investing in employee safety training is not a cost; it’s an investment that has a high ROI. You will understand this very well on that fateful day of yours (in case you ever have to encounter any sort of a workplace related emergency).

What should your contingency plan include things at the bare minimum?

At the bare minimum level, your contingency plan should include things like:

1. A systematic method that’s known to all employees in general for reporting emergencies to the higher management.

2. A sound evacuation policy supported by a proper procedure.

3. Easily accessible emergency locations such as an easily accessible emergency staircase in the back followed by the refuge area.

4. The alarm plays a huge role in informing each and every one of your employee the fact that an “emergency has actually happened in your workplace.” Either do something constructive or evacuate without further ado. Just ensure that each and every employee of yours can recognize the sound of your alarm in a jiffy.

Please do take a peek at this short video to know about the things that you should do while planning for business workplace emergencies.

The aftermath and a final word…

You need to assess the damage that you have incurred as a result of such emergencies for insurance claim purposes.

It’s always advisable to take the advice of a fire safety consultant before you plunge head long into your insurance claims so that you receive the maximum possible benefits that you can get within the very same scheme made in your name.

Bio
Latest Posts

Katie Smith

Investigator at Auto Fire & Safety Consultant

Katie Smith is a fire expert and her areas of interests and expertise include forensic science and accident or crime scene investigation related matters. She is associated with Auto Fire & Safety Consultant and often conducts fire investigation in Houston. Blogging is her hobby and she is also a consultant blogger, having well-accepted write-ups on a wide range of topics, such as general safety, security and safety equipment.