Preparing Your Business for Emergencies: A Step-by-Step Guide

2 Are you Prepared? How well prepared is your business now? What procedures do you already have in place for an emergency situation? What potential emergency situations could occur?

3 Three basic steps to getting prepared: Know the risks Make a plan Get a kit

4 STEP 1 Know the risks Know your region The consequences of emergencies can be similar, but knowing the risks in your region can help you better prepare.

5 STEP 1 Risks in British Columbia Avalanches Earthquakes Severe storms Floods Chemical releases Pandemic influenza Landslides Storm surges Tsunamis Wildfires

6 STEP 1 The Canadian Disaster Database The Canadian Disaster Database references to all types of Canadian disasters, including those triggered by natural hazards, technological hazards or conflict (not including war). The database describes where and when a disaster occurred, who was aff­ected, and provides a rough estimate of the direct costs.Canadian Disaster Database

7 STEP 2 Making A Plan – BASICS Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system should be secure, could it feasibly be upgraded to better filter potential contaminants, and be sure you know how to turn it off if you need to. Think about what to do if your employees can't go home. Make sure you have appropriate supplies on hand.

8 STEP 2 Make a plan – BASICS When is evacuation necessary? Designate primary and secondary evacuation routes and emergency exits clearly marked and well lit. Post signs. Install emergency lighting in case a power outage occurs during an evacuation. You aren’t prepared — until you make a plan.

9 STEP 2 Make A Plan – BASICS Ensure that evacuation routes and emergency exits are: –Wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating people –Clear and unobstructed at all times –Unlikely to expose evacuating people to additional hazards

10 STEP 2 Make A Plan – BASICS Coordinate your plan with the local emergency management office. Designate “evacuation wardens” who will help others during an evacuation and account for employees. Establish specific evacuation procedures. Establish a system for accounting for evacuated employees.

11 STEP 2 Make A Plan – BASICS Hold emergency drills at least once a year and keep records of such drills. Consider the transportation needs of employees. Post evacuation procedures where employees can read them. Establish procedures for assisting people with disabilities and people who do not speak English. Consider how you would access important personal information about employees in an emergency.

12 STEP 2 Making A Plan - Assembly Areas and Accountability Designate assembly areas where people should gather after evacuating. Establish a head-count system for employees at the assembly area. Establish a method of accounting for non- employees such as suppliers and customers.

13 STEP 2 Making A Plan - Education and training Emergency response training for your employees should address the following: –Individual roles and responsibilities –Potential threats, hazards, and protective actions –Notification, warning, and communications procedures –How to locate family members in an emergency –Emergency response procedures –Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures –Location and use of common emergency equipment

14 STEP 2 Make a plan What emergency information is necessary? Provide employees with information such as: checklists and evacuation maps. Post evacuation maps in strategic locations. Consider the information needs of customers and others who visit your store.

15 STEP 2 Make a plan How often should training take place? You should conduct training sessions at least once a year, or whenever you: –Hire new employees –Designate evacuation wardens or others with special assignments –Introduce new equipment, materials, or processes –Find, through exercises, that employee performance needs to be improved

16 STEP 2 Make a plan First Aid What level of first aid does my business need? –Visit WorkSafeBC.com to determine the appropriate level of first aid supplies, attendants, and services for your workplace

17 STEP 2 Make a plan Employee Support Crisis counseling Reduced or flexible work hours Cash advances Salary continuation Care packages Daycare

18 STEP 2 Make a plan The five steps in developing a Preparedness Program Program Management Planning Implementation Testing and Exercise Program Improvement

19 STEP 2 Make a plan Special Needs Health information card Grab-and-go bag with medication, prescriptions, medical documents Walkers, oxygen tanks and other emergency supplies Personal support network

20 STEP 2 Make a plan Employees who are prepared for emergencies at home and school are better able to carry out their responsibilities at work. Consider ways to help employees prepare for emergencies at home — this will increase their personal safety and can help your facility get back up and running quicker if an emergency occurs

21 STEP 3 Prepare a kit To prepare for an emergency that could last 72 hours or more, what would you put in a kit?

22 STEP 3 Get a kit

23 Pre-packaged kits:

24 Thank You..Questions?