Thu 30 Apr 2009
Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace
Posted by Megan Dorn under Small Business
If you haven’t heard about the big swine flu outbreak within the past few days, then you likely live under a rock. Everyone (and by everyone I mean EVERYONE) is talking about it…constantly. Though this post doesn’t actually have anything to do with swine flu itself, swine flue does bring up the topic of emergency preparedness in the workplace.
Several Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards explicitly require employers to have emergency response plans at work. Some of those requirements include some basics that are applicable to almost all businesses, like:
- having clear building exit routes
- having a first-aid kit
- having a portable fire extinguisher
- having employee emergency alarm systems
But then there are those other requirements that depend on the size and operation of your business. For example, if you have more than 10 employees you’re required to prepare a written fire prevention plan. If you have 10 or fewer employees, however, you’re allowed to convey that plan orally instead if you so choose.
The main point here is that if there are humans working at your company, then your company is at risk and needs to accommodate for those risks…OSHA demands it! To read up on emergency response and preparedness requirements and to make sure your business is compliant, visit the OSHA Web site for a complete guide.
