Tackling emergency situations in the workplace together creates an opportunity for all parties to know what to do and their role. From natural disasters to violent events, having a plan in place ensures each person can take steps to protect themselves and others. 

Have an Updated Emergency Disaster Plan in Place Now 

Most disasters offer no warning, but safety and survival often depend on a team’s quick actions. That’s not always instinct, though. Rather, it’s about having an emergency or disaster plan in place so that people have the necessary knowledge and skills to take appropriate action. 

A good starting point is to focus on creating an up-to-date workplace emergency plan that is taught to each employee in the building. If you do not have an emergency plan in place at all (or it has not been updated in some time), it’s time to create one. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers a comprehensive breakdown of OSHA’s requirements for emergency preparedness for employers.  

Specific components of such plans, as they relate to your workforce, include: 

• Means of egress: How will people leave the location if there is a risk? Specifically, provide more than one way out. 
• Hazardous materials: Establish a process for labeling, maintaining, and cleaning up materials that put others at risk or endanger the environment.  
• Personal protective equipment: Provide PPE that is specific to each job’s risks, such as protection for the eyes and face, respiratory systems, foot protection, and head protection, as well as lifesaving equipment.  
• Environmental controls: This includes guidelines for following and mitigating risks in closed and confined spaces, dangerous atmosphere conditions, and situations of hazardous energy.  
• Medical and first aid: Your workplace needs effective first aid and lifesaving equipment on hand to support most types of emergencies. This should include medical services, first aid training, and access to care. 
• Fire protection: This typically includes offering solutions for putting out fires, minimizing the risk of fire development, and having the necessary tools in place (and training necessary) to minimize risks from fires. 
• Toxic and hazardous substances: Atmospheric substances, hazard communication, ventilation, and first aid for various types of environmental conditions must be considered. 

It is critical to have a workplace emergency plan that incorporates solutions as they apply to your work environment in each of these areas. Utilize professional services to build such plans, and once done, create a routine process for training teams on how to act in various situations. 

Empowering Employees to Take an Active Role in Workplace Emergencies 

Employers have significant requirements for keeping work locations safe. Yet, it’s impossible to eliminate the risks of all disasters. However, you can provide employees with the tools and skills they need to help support others.  

Start with having a crisis management team that can jump into action to assess and support employees through the following: 

• Developing plans for sheltering in place as well as evaluation 
• Identifying the role of an evacuation or lockdown requirement  
• Reporting the incident 
• Providing emergency care through CPR and AED access 
• Proper use of fire extinguishers 
• Criss escalation plan steps to follow 

All employees, even those not on the crisis management team, can benefit from crisis training in order to understand their role, how to communicate, and reporting requirements.  

Consider the Financial Needs of Employees 

As a business, you know the importance of having liability insurance policies in place to protect your business in unpredictable events. Do your employees have these types of insurance plans in place to protect them? It’s unlikely. 

According to one survey, just 18.3% of people say they have money put aside to cover the outcome of a natural disaster. About 43.9% of those say they have not done anything to prepare for such events, including reviewing existing home and auto insurance policies. 

In the event of a natural disaster, each person should have the resources to live off the grid for four to five days. 

Employers cannot be responsible for covering all of those costs. However, they can encourage employees to take steps now to shore up risks, including: 

• Build a checklist of emergency preparedness supplies and keeping them on hand. 
• Offer first aid and safety training programs to mitigate risks. 
• Encourage employees to check all insurance products, including home and auto, to ensure they have proper coverage for such events. 
• Create a communication plan to mobilize help for those in need. 
• Offer health insurance and pet insurance to meet medical needs when a disaster occurs and puts the health of family members on the line. 
• Provide supportive services for employees to get animals the help they need in a crisis situation. This includes medical care, boarding, and other resources to maintain their pet’s health and well-being. 

Creating a Comprehensive Workplace Emergency Plan 

Emergency preparedness is more than having a disaster plan and the right first aid supplies. It means empowering your employees to handle workplace emergencies while they are on the job and giving them the tools they need at home to manage their personal risks. 

If you have not done so yet, work with your team to create a workplace emergency plan. Discuss the specific areas of concern employees have regarding all aspects of their lives, including their pets. 

Visit Pet Benefit Solutions to learn more about the incredible value that employers can offer to pet owners as a component of their emergency preparedness plan.