Many of us spend long hours in the workplace, and many of us even enjoy it! But when we think about disaster preparedness, we usually think about our homes. But, the nation's largest ever disaster, the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, happened at the start of a busy workday. The majority of people injured or killed were at their workplace. The Oklahoma City bombings in 1995 is another example of one of the nation's biggest disasters that occurred where people work.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, as many as 40 percent of small businesses don't re-open after a major disaster because they had no plan. This creates another unintended disaster, the loss of jobs for employees and services to the community.
April is Disaster Preparedness Month. City of Carlsbad emergency officials say it's the perfect time to develop your business preparedness plan for responding to a natural or man-made disaster. Your recovery from a disaster begins before it ever happens. Think about how a disaster could affect employees, customers, vendors, and the workplace. Think about how you could continue doing business if the area around your facility is impacted.
Consider some of these tips:
Maintain updated phone lists of employees and key customers and vendors. Provide copies to staff members. Use them as checklists to be certain everyone is accounted for during an emergency.
If you have a voice mail system, designate one number where you can leave critical messages for employees.
Identify emergency exit routes. PRACTICE using them at least twice a year. Considering doing so when we have time changes in April and October.
Designate employees to help others who might need assistance evacuating, such as disabled employees or those injured.
Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out.
Keep flashlights, dust masks and whistles handy to help everyone find their way out safely, or alert others if they are trapped or need aid.
Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about severe weather and protective actions to take.
Stock emergency supplies including flashlights and extra batteries, first aid kits, blankets, and food and water supplies for employees and customers to use if you must take shelter inside the workplace.
Reduce damage by securing large bookcases or display cases to wall studs. Move large objects to lower shelves. Install latches to keep drawers and cabinets from flying open.
Use surge protectors and battery backup systems to help prevent a computer crash or system damages if the power goes out.
Back up computer data frequently throughout the business day. Keep a backup off site.
Everyone in your facility should know what to do if a disaster occurs. The city of Carlsbad has a Emergency Services Coordinator, Dan Papp, who is available to come to your business and help you identify and prepare for a disaster.
Also, contact the American Red Cross in San Diego County at 800-REDCROSS or visit the website at www.sdarc.org for information. The Red Cross offers disaster preparedness training including CPR and first aid training. The Red Cross can also provide brochures with tips for employees and checklists at no cost to you.
The City of Carlsbad has additional disaster preparedness information on its website at www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us Click on “City Services” and then “Emergency Preparedness.”
According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, as many as 40 percent of small businesses don't re-open after a major disaster because they had no plan. This creates another unintended disaster, the loss of jobs for employees and services to the community.
April is Disaster Preparedness Month. City of Carlsbad emergency officials say it's the perfect time to develop your business preparedness plan for responding to a natural or man-made disaster. Your recovery from a disaster begins before it ever happens. Think about how a disaster could affect employees, customers, vendors, and the workplace. Think about how you could continue doing business if the area around your facility is impacted.
Consider some of these tips:
Maintain updated phone lists of employees and key customers and vendors. Provide copies to staff members. Use them as checklists to be certain everyone is accounted for during an emergency.
If you have a voice mail system, designate one number where you can leave critical messages for employees.
Identify emergency exit routes. PRACTICE using them at least twice a year. Considering doing so when we have time changes in April and October.
Designate employees to help others who might need assistance evacuating, such as disabled employees or those injured.
Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out.
Keep flashlights, dust masks and whistles handy to help everyone find their way out safely, or alert others if they are trapped or need aid.
Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about severe weather and protective actions to take.
Stock emergency supplies including flashlights and extra batteries, first aid kits, blankets, and food and water supplies for employees and customers to use if you must take shelter inside the workplace.
Reduce damage by securing large bookcases or display cases to wall studs. Move large objects to lower shelves. Install latches to keep drawers and cabinets from flying open.
Use surge protectors and battery backup systems to help prevent a computer crash or system damages if the power goes out.
Back up computer data frequently throughout the business day. Keep a backup off site.
Everyone in your facility should know what to do if a disaster occurs. The city of Carlsbad has a Emergency Services Coordinator, Dan Papp, who is available to come to your business and help you identify and prepare for a disaster.
Also, contact the American Red Cross in San Diego County at 800-REDCROSS or visit the website at www.sdarc.org for information. The Red Cross offers disaster preparedness training including CPR and first aid training. The Red Cross can also provide brochures with tips for employees and checklists at no cost to you.
The City of Carlsbad has additional disaster preparedness information on its website at www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us Click on “City Services” and then “Emergency Preparedness.”