Comprehensive Earthquake Preparedness for Workplace Safety: Plan, Prepare, Practice

Earthquake Preparedness for Safety Managers

Toby Graham

May 1, 2024

Incorporating extreme weather resilience into our workplace procedures is crucial. As someone who was rsed in earthquake-prone areas like Southern California, I've often questioned the effectiveness of the simple desk-dodging drills we did during school. But whether you're in seismic hotspots or not, it's imperative to equip your workforce with confidence through proper earthquake safety preparation.

Here’s a guide tlored for your facility:

1. Plan Your Strategies

2. Prepare Your Resources

3. Practice Response Drills

Let's delve into these three steps.

The First Step: Planning For Earthquake Safety

Understanding that an earthquake can be as unpredictable and sudden as it is powerful leads us to the first step in preparation.

• Know your geography: Are you part of a region prone to earthquakes? Use resources like those provided by USGS for state-specific information.

• Join community-wide drills: Participate in initiatives such as The Great American Shake Out, which offers extensive guidelines and practices.

The Second Step: Preparing For Earthquake Safety

A proactive approach can significantly reduce potential hazards during these events:

• Update your emergency plan: Ensure that your facility's Emergency Action Plan encompasses scenarios for earthquakes. This includes:

  • Shutting off critical utilities

  • Identifying safe shelter areas, equipment response procedures, and shutdown protocols of crucial utilities

  • Supplying essential items like water, food, flashlights, batteries, and first d kits

FEMA emphasizes that practice makes perfect when it comes to preparedness for specific disasters. Since earthquakes are less frequent compared to others, the skills required might t to fade over time.

The Third Step: Practicing Response Drills

Regular drills are essential:

• Conduct regular drills: These should cover various aspects of response planning - evacuation procedures, first d practices, and utility shutdown protocols.

• Review and update regularly: After each drill, analyze what went well and where improvements can be made. Make adjustments accordingly.

With proper planning, preparation, and practice, your workforce will face seismic challenges with confidence.

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Stay safe out there!

Toby Graham

Marketing Communications Manager

KPA

This article is reproduced from: https://kpa.io/earthquakes-safety-preparation/

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