Workplace Emergency Preparedness Guide

Workplace Emergency Preparedness Guide

Household preparedness alone leaves a gap because many people spend much of the week away from home. A workplace plan should help you understand building procedures, communicate with family, manage temporary sheltering and get home or to another safe destination if transportation is disrupted.

Learn the workplace plan Know evacuation routes, assembly areas, alarm signals and shelter locations. Find out how emergency instructions are delivered and who coordinates response.

Personal work kit Consider water, shelf-stable food, a flashlight, phone charging capability, hygiene items, essential personal supplies, comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate items. Add medications or specialized supplies according to professional guidance and workplace rules.

Communication Store key contacts in your phone and keep an offline copy. Agree on an out-of-area contact. Text messages may sometimes be more practical than repeated calls when networks are congested, but follow official instructions.

Plan beyond the commute Identify alternate routes and transportation options, but do not leave a safe workplace when authorities advise sheltering. Keep a local map offline. Long-distance commuters may need more supplies.

Evacuate or shelter Different emergencies require different actions. Follow building procedures and local authorities rather than assuming leaving is always safer.

Accessibility Employees with mobility, sensory, communication or medical needs should be included in planning. Routes, alerts and assistance arrangements should be practical beforehand.

Review supplies, contacts and routes several times a year and after changing offices or jobs. Survival Tabs can be one optional compact shelf-stable component of a workplace food reserve when appropriate; maintain water and a variety of foods suited to your needs.