Be Emergency-ready With Comprehensive Response Plans

By Author: Swati Ahuja
Total Articles: 3
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Emergencies can occur anytime, anywhere without any warning. Hence, we should be prepared to handle a disaster efficiently with minimal damage to property and lives.

The action taken in the first few hours of an emergency is the most critical. If an emergency occurs in a factory, then a prompt warning to employees to evacuate or seek shelter in a safe place or an announcement to lockdown the premise, can save lives. Again, a timely call to a public emergency service will ensure that the right response team and equipment reach the disaster spot. Hence, what is of utmost importance is emergency response plans.

Such plans should be in place in every workplace. So, how do you prepare emergency response plans? The first step is to assess your potential emergency situations. Understand thoroughly the disasters that can take in your workplace and then prepare a plan to tackle such situations. Evacuation and sheltering are important aspects of emergency response plans.

Evacuation

Evacuation of employees is the most critical ...
... aspect of this plan. Make sure you have primary and secondary evacuation routes and exits. These should be well-lit and have signs to guide employees out. Remember, fear and confusion always create panic during disasters. Hence, designate an employee who will oversee the evacuation process. Also, stay in constant touch with local authorities through emergency alerts. You can receive these life-saving emergency alerts on your phone at home or at work. These public safety emergency alerts will help you tackle emergencies better as they warn you in advance about natural and man-made disasters. For example, if there is a cyclone/storm approaching or there is a chemical leak in the area where your office is located, emergency alerts will warn you in advance and give you ample time to evacuate your employees to a safe place.

Sheltering

Your workplace should have a built-in shelter in the basement or some interior room if it is located in areas prone to cyclones. The shelter should also be big enough to hold all your employees. It always helps to get prior warning of a natural emergency. Hence, make sure you subscribe to some public emergency alerts system.

In the event of a chemical leak in the vicinity of your office or a fire or act of terrorism, the plan should be to move all your employees to the core of your office building, until the local authorities declare that it is safe to evacuate.

So, if you don’t have an emergency response plan yet, get one now.