Hurricane season began on the first of June, but it tends to peak at this time of year. With a potentially deadly storm currently approaching Florida and many smaller forms on their way across the South Atlantic Ocean, it’s a good time to review how to keep your business and your employees safe in the event of a hurricane event. Even if you don’t experience a direct hit, flooding from heavy rain can cause dangerous situations.
Plan Ahead
Make a disaster plan for your workplace to prepare employees for what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency. Make a plan that best suits your needs and the needs of everyone in the business. If you’re in a storm-prone area, ensure that your critical business systems are backed up off-site and can be accessed via the cloud.
Have Supplies on Hand
It’s a good idea to keep enough supplies in your business in caseworkers need to or shelter in place for a few days. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. You should indicate to your employees that these supplies are for emergencies only. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits when you change your clock during daylight saving times.
Critical supplies include:
- One gallon of drinking water per person per day
- Nonperishable, ready-to-eat canned foods, and a manual can opener
- First-aid kit, including over-the-counter medications. Also, encourage employees to carry a small amount of any prescription medications they take with them, particularly if a storm is expected.
- Flashlight or battery-powered lantern, battery-operated AM/FM radio, and extra batteries, or wind-up batteries that do not require batteries
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries (you can also buy wind-up radios that do not require batteries)
- Glow sticks
- Whistle or bell
Seek Professional Emergency Training
A professional workplace health and safety organization can help you ensure your employees and others are prepared for emergencies such as hurricanes and the flooding, wind, and outages that come with them. In addition to providing first aid supplies and protective equipment, SoCal First Aid also offers on-site safety training, disaster preparedness training, and other services to businesses, schools, and groups across Southern California.
We will work with you to train your employees on safety best practices and establish a preparedness plan in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Contact us at 800-480-5855.