Employers must prepare the workplace and the workers for a possible tornado.
A tornado can develop without much warning or when weather conditions give plenty of time to take action. The action to stay safe in a workplace needs to start long before a disaster threatens or hits. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets forth regulations that require company management to prepare in several ways to keep workers as safe as possible when a tornado warning sounds.
Written Emergency Plan Requirements
An employer or company management team must have a written emergency plan on file, available to workers and available to city, state and federal inspectors. The plan should include step-by-step plans for emergencies and disasters, including tornadoes. The important components of a written emergency plan for a tornado include a system to alert management of a tornado warning or sighting, placement of alarm switches and a description of the warning system, exit route drawings, evacuation procedures, and accounting for all employees after evacuation and after the emergency is over. Emergency shelter information and rescue policies should also be included in the written plan.
Prepare Workers and Workplace
Employers should prepare the workplace for emergencies by posting emergency exit routes and lighted exit signs and by clearly marking emergency shelter area, first aid stations and rescue equipment storage areas. Exit routes should be cleared of materials, equipment or debris.
Employees should be prepared for tornadoes through initial training and refresher courses during tornado season. Employees should experience tornado drills by hearing the warning sirens, walking the evacuation routes and gathering at designated areas. If employees work in more than one area at various times, they should be involved in drills that take them through an evacuation from every area they may be in when a tornado warning sounds.
Employees should also be prepared to know where first aid stations or equipment storage areas are located. These areas should be near shelter areas or outside the main facility in order to be accessible in any situation.
During Emergency
When a tornado warning sounds, work should stop, machines should be turned off and chemicals should be covered as though it was the end of the work day. Workers should evacuate, using their designated route, in an orderly fashion. No one should stop to gather personal items. When the evacuation is complete, account for all employees in each evacuation shelter area.
After Emergency
Wait for the "all clear" alarm or radio contact from a designated person in charge. Access damage before leaving the shelter area. Report by radio or other means to management so that persons in charge know the extent of damage around each shelter area and whether rescue operations should begin in any of these areas.
Again, account for all employees. Wait for instructions from emergency personnel - if no damage, return to work areas or retrieve personal items and leave the facility as directed. If damage has occurred, workers may not be able to retrieve personal items, but must leave facility or grounds by means as set forth in the written emergency plan.
Tags: shelter area, emergency plan, Employees should, personal items, tornado warning