Make sure your business is ready to handle the threat of an earthquake.
If you live in California, then you know the risk of an earthquake is ever present. While your family might already have a plan in case an earthquake hits, your business should also be prepared. Here are some tips to help you prepare your business in case things start shaking.
Create a Disaster Plan
It’s important that your business has an emergency action plan in place in case an earthquake does strike. Your plan should cover how to evacuate your place of business, designate a safe spot to reconvene following an evacuation, and detail how you will locate missing employees. Your plan should also address who will assist people with disabilities and any customers following an earthquake. Finally, your plan should also designate teams of employees who will handle first aid, search and rescue, fire response, damage assessment, and security after the shaking has stopped. Once your plan is in place, make sure you run earthquake drills routinely. This will ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a real earthquake.
Identify Workplace Hazards
It’s also important to walk through your business and identify features that could be potentially dangerous during an earthquake. For instance, tall bookshelves, filing cabinets, heavy wall hangings, ceiling partitions, fans, windows, etc. can all pose a danger to your employees. Make sure that you address these threats and take the necessary steps to mitigate these risks before an earthquake threatens the safety of others.
Stay Safe
Make sure that you and your employees know what safety measures to take when an earthquake starts. During an earthquake, the safest place for you to be is under a table or desk. If you are not in close proximity to a table or desk, then standing in a doorway is the next best thing. When the shaking starts, get down into a crouching position to avoid losing your balance, and cover the back of your head and neck to protect it from falling debris.
Follow this advice to prepare your business for an earthquake. Remember, another great way to protect your business and employees in the event of an earthquake is by having the right insurance protections in place. To find the best coverage for your needs, contact the experts at Weaver & Associates in Arcadia, California. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with all your insurance needs.
