Emergencies are difficult situations by their very nature. This can be even more true when an emergency situation occurs in a work or office setting. The disruption to routines, large numbers of people, confusion and more can all take a toll and increase the danger or cause casualties. If you own or run an office, it is important to make sure that you and your employees have some preparation in place should an emergency arise.

Establish Plans

The first thing to do is assess your biggest risks, and then formulate plans that employees can follow in the event of something happening. Natural disasters are one of the most common emergency situations, so understanding what sort of disasters your office may be prone to experiencing is key. Things like tornadoes, earthquakes, violent storms, gales, flooding and wildfires can become a problem rapidly and with little warning. They can often be accompanied by other issues such as a power outage, structural failure, broken windows or fire. Good emergency plans should establish such basic needs as a chain of command, notification procedures, evacuation routes and follow-ups.

Keep Emergency Supplies

Not all emergencies are disaster based. Medical emergencies can also be a trying event for a workplace, and injury can also accompany a disaster too. For this reason, having emergency supplies on hand is vital, as is training people in proper usage. Emergencies happen at any moment, so it’s important to keep a hygiene kit in case of immediate evacuation. This will keep sanitary conditions in the event of trouble. First aid kits will allow a generalized response to injury or medical problems. Though pricey, portable defibrillators can save a life in the event of a worker having heart trouble or cardiac arrest. Note that only trained employees should use such equipment or treat bleeding injuries.

Practice Makes Perfect

Procedures, policies and equipment only help if people really know what to do or expect. An emergency is disorienting, frightening and stressful. Whether your office is experiencing a credible threat of violence, an impending natural disaster or a medical emergency, your employees should have practiced the procedure so that designated and trained personnel can get everyone to where they need. Practicing CPR and defibrillator use for management and volunteers is also important and effective.

A workplace works better when employees feel confident that their need for safety is being met. Having the right procedures, equipment and practice to meet any challenge is vital for any office. Don’t wait to take action until an actual emergency comes up, or the consequences could be deadly.

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