It's easy to figure out what you would do at home in case
of an emergency, but what about your workplace? Would
you know what to do if you had to evacuate your building at
a moment's notice? Here are some tips in setting up
business evacuation plans:
- Upper management should play a leadership role in
instituting, reviewing and updating the program.
- Employee suggestions should be solicited in designing
the plan.
- Ensure the plan is comprehensive enough to deal with
all potential emergencies.
- Perform a hazard audit to determine potential toxic
materials.
- Include emergency escape procedures and routes for all
employees, including the disabled.
- Provide floor plans and maps that clearly show escape
routes and refuge areas.
- Assign a sufficient number of people to assist in an
orderly evacuation.
- List detailed procedures for employees who will remain
behind during an evacuation to oversee essential
operations.
- Establish a chain of command and a person responsible
for coordinating emergency activities.
- Have a plan that will allow you to account for all
employees after the evacuation is complete, with someone
responsible for reporting any missing personnel.
- Ensure your facilities have adequate and distinct
alarm systems that all people can hear or see.
Finally,
hold regular evacuation exercises
for the entire workplace, including employees with
disabilities. In Sedgwick County, mark your
calendar for the 11th day of each month to practice your
evacuation plan.
For more information:
Call Sedgwick County
Emergency Management, (316) 660-5959
Your
Government
