Preparing for Weather Emergencies

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You will be able to:

Recognize the hazards of weather emergencies and other natural disasters

Follow workplace emergency procedures

Develop a family emergency plan

Increase your chances of surviving emergencies and minimizing property damage

Session Objectives

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Hazards of Weather Emergencies• Collapsed walls

and buildings• Injured or trapped

people • Impassable bridges

and roads• Downed power and

telecommunication lines• Utilities out of order

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Hazards of Weather Emergencies (cont.)

• Broken windows

• Water damage

• Outside items blown or washed away

• Extreme temperatures

• Lightning strikes

• Downed trees or tree limbs

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Emergency Plan• Evacuation routes

and procedures

• Critical plant operations

• Accounting for evacuees

• Rescue and medical duties

• Procedures for reporting emergencies

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• Leave promptly for home if conditions are safe

• Stay at work if conditions are dangerous

• Go to a secure designated shelter or refuge area

• Take steps to minimize damage

• Leave promptly for home if conditions are safe

• Stay at work if conditions are dangerous

• Go to a secure designated shelter or refuge area

• Take steps to minimize damage

Critical Instructions

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Evacuation Procedures• Recognize the

evacuation signal and await instructions

• Shut down equipment, close windows and doors

• Go to nearest exit

• Proceed to the assembly area

• Participate in drills

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Family Emergency Plan• Develop and practice

your plan

• Determine evacuation routes and assembly areas

• Determine safe rooms when evacuation is inappropriate

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Family Emergency Plan (cont.)

• Know how to safely turn off utilities• List family contact

and emergency numbers• Discuss community

warning signals• Provide first-aid

and fire extinguisher training

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Disaster Supply Kit• Radio and flashlight• Water, dry or canned food• Blankets and clothes• First-aid kit, medications,

hygiene supplies• Map, phone numbers,

important information• Cash• Mirror and whistle• Pocketknife

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Hazards and Preparedness:True or False?

OSHA requires us to have a workplace emergency plan for weather emergencies.

You should always evacuate the building in a weather emergency.

After a total workplace evacuation, you should go home.

Your family emergency plan should include evacuation routes from your neighborhood.

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Hazards and Preparedness• Do you understand

the information presented in the previous slides?

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• Anchor machinery and equipment

• Brace suspended equipment

• Secure tall bookcases, shelves, racks

• Store heavy objects near the ground

• Secure breakable items

•Make sure materials are safely stored

Earthquake Preparation• Anchor machinery and equipment

• Brace suspended equipment

• Secure tall bookcases, shelves, racks

• Store heavy objects near the ground

• Secure breakable items

•Make sure materials are safely stored

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• Move away from windows and equipment• Go under strong

furniture or in door frame• Evacuate once

earthquake subsides• If outside, move away

from buildings, power lines, utility poles, and trees• In a car, pull over in clear

spot and stay in the car

During an Earthquake• Move away from

windows and equipment• Go under strong

furniture or in door frame• Evacuate once

earthquake subsides• If outside, move away

from buildings, power lines, utility poles, and trees• In a car, pull over in clear

spot and stay in the car

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Tornado Preparation• Inspect roof framing

and metal siding• Install permanent

shutters or plywood covers• Secure outside items• Remove or trim

nearby trees• Reinforce garage

doors and double doors

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During a Tornado• Get into a solid building• Stay away from

doors and windows• Go to the center of

the building• Hide under furniture or

in a closet or bathroom• If outside, lie flat in a

ditch and cover your head with your hands

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• Protect electrical and HVAC equipment• Anchor fuel and hazardous

material storage tanks• Install sewer backflow

valves and sump pumps• Move objects to higher

floor and secure outdoor items• Have sandbags and

plastic sheeting on hand

• Protect electrical and HVAC equipment• Anchor fuel and hazardous

material storage tanks• Install sewer backflow

valves and sump pumps• Move objects to higher

floor and secure outdoor items• Have sandbags and

plastic sheeting on hand

Flood Preparation

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• Evacuate the flood zone

• Move to higher ground away from rivers and streams

• Don’t try to drive across flooded roads

• If trapped, go to a higher floor and wait for rescue

• Evacuate the flood zone

• Move to higher ground away from rivers and streams

• Don’t try to drive across flooded roads

• If trapped, go to a higher floor and wait for rescue

During a Flood

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Hurricanes• Prepare for high

winds and floodwaters

• Heed hurricane watches and warnings

• Evacuate if advised

• Go to the center of the building

• Be wary of the eye of the hurricane

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Severe Thunderstorms• Go inside a sturdy building or vehicle• Stay away from windows, faucets, and

electrical items• If outside, crouch on the ground in a low

place clear of trees, poles, water, or metal fences or pipes

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Heat Waves• Remember

heatstroke can kill

• Go to air conditioned locations

• Avoid strenuous work

• Postpone outdoor games and activities

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Check on family, neighbors, and friends

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Wildfire Preparation• Trim trees and

remove debris

• Plan water sources

• Plan evacuation routes

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During a Wildfire• Shut off gas and

electricity, and close windows and doors

• Water surrounding vegetation

• If trapped outside, crouch in a pond or river, or move to an open area

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Natural Disaster Response

Flood

Tornado

Heat Wave

Thunderstorm

Drink Fluids

Go to a higher ground

Stay away from electricity

Go to an inner room

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Natural Disaster ResponseDo you understand about:

• Weather emergencies and natural disasters?

• How to prepare for and survive these events?

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Key Points to Remember

Know the hazards of weather emergencies

Understand our workplace emergency plan

Develop a family emergency plan

Put together a disaster supply kit

Be prepared to survive any type of natural disaster

Questions or Additional Assistance?

Contact us by email at: info@thehscg.com

or call 800.880.4485