| A plan of emergencies should take into account | | | | Check all evacuation routes and emergency exits |
| the type of business you are in and the nature of | | | | are and make sure they are wide enough to |
| your worksite. Emergencies and disasters can | | | | accommodate the number of people evacuating |
| occur any time without warning. The more you | | | | and the routes are always clear. |
| are prepared for them, the better you will be able | | | | Designate a person to account for all employees, |
| to act, minimizing panic and confusion when an | | | | visitors, and customers. |
| emergency occurs. Many small businesses have | | | | Establish specific evacuation procedures and |
| non-effective plans in place, and some have no | | | | meeting place once an evacuation has taken place. |
| formal processes at all. | | | | Hold emergency drills at least once a year to |
| To start or even update an emergency plan, | | | | ensure that employees know what to do in an |
| start by addressing the following: | | | | emergency and to test the effectiveness of |
| How well prepared is your business now? | | | | emergency exit routes and procedures. Keep |
| What procedures do you already have in place | | | | records of such drills. |
| for an emergency situation? | | | | Consider the transportation needs of employees. |
| What potential emergency situations could occur? | | | | Post evacuation procedures where employees |
| Act Now! | | | | can read them. |
| To help address the questions above, look at | | | | Establish procedures for assisting people with |
| these basic guidelines to develop an effective | | | | disabilities and people who do not speak English. |
| emergency response plan for your workplace: | | | | Consider how you would contact employees in an |
| For each potential emergency, determine if | | | | emergency. This contact sheet should include |
| evacuation would be necessary. | | | | contact numbers, a family member's contact |
| Designate first and secondary evacuation routes | | | | numbers, and medical care information. |
| and emergency exits. Make sure they are clearly | | | | By following these guidelines, an emergency |
| marked and well lit. Post signs and maps on | | | | response evacuation plan can be installed in your |
| routes. | | | | workplace. Once your plan has been written and |
| Check or install emergency lighting in case a | | | | posted, test it. Training will ensure all people will |
| power outage occurs during an evacuation. | | | | evacuate safely. |