Tag: emergency preparedness plan

To Avoid Tragedies Ensure Your Workplace Has an Emergency Preparedness Plan in Place Recent events have shown us that disasters can occur at any time with little to no warning. Tragedies such as the series of deadly tornadoes that tore through Illinois last month should serve as a strong reminder to employers of the importance of having a disaster plan and training employees in preparedness. During the recent disaster in Illinois, six warehouse workers perished in a warehouse distribution center when its roof collapsed during a tornado. In nearby distribution facilities, workers complained that they were required to continue to work despite the warnings and had received almost no training on how to respond. In Kentucky, eight workers were killed by a tornado inside of a candle factory, and workers in the facility reported that they had been threatened with the possibility of termination if they attempted to leave work early in order to avoid the tornado. What both of these incidents have in common is demonstrating the importance of ensuring a proper plan for disasters and preparedness training for employees. Employers must provide their employees with a safe workplace which includes preparing appropriately for emergencies such as natural disasters. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides an Emergency Preparedness and Response webpage with specific hazards employers should prepare for. This also includes links to general guidance for emergency preparedness and certain statutory requirements that apply to certain industries with which employers should become familiar. Additionally, certain state laws and agencies may contain additional requirements. No matter what industry an employer is in, though, they must institute and disseminate written emergency and disaster preparedness plans. This means considering every emergency that may occur in their workplace and how they should respond to each one. A suitable policy should include an identification of each emergency, how employees will be notified if such an emergency takes place, a plan for evacuation, a protocol for after evacuating, and procedures for a shutdown. However, simply having an emergency plan in place is not enough. Employees must be aware of how to respond when an emergency arises, and this requires regular training and drills. Employees should be made aware of who is in charge if an emergency arises, and evacuation wardens that will help guide employees to safety should be identified. These plans should also account for employees with disabilities and ensure that they will be able to receive any assistance they need to evacuate in case of an emergency. Employer Takeaway As extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, the need for employer preparedness has also increased. In order to protect employees and avoid potential liability for any harm, a well-designed plan and employee training is a must. You can learn more about Adverse Action Notice Protocols in Compliance With FCRA by downloading Pre-employ’s free guides and resources. STAY COMPLIANT WITH YOUR BACKGROUND CHECKS

Tag: emergency preparedness plan

To Avoid Tragedies Ensure Your Workplace Has an Emergency Preparedness Plan in Place

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