Safety and preparedness should be considered an investment in your business and employees. When making the case for why your business should invest time, effort and resources toward safety and disaster preparedness consider:

• Six million workers suffer non-fatal workplace injuries at an annual cost to U.S. businesses of more than $125 billion according to OSHA.
• Economists calculate that every dollar spent on preparing for a disaster saves seven dollars in response.

Employees that worry less about their own safety and that of their loved ones make for more productive workers.

Taking it Home will help your employees prepare for disasters at home and in doing so, be able to return to work sooner. These activities also reinforce the monthly safety messages promoted at the workplace.

Volcano Awareness Month / Shelter-in-Place

In May 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted creating havoc in many communities and sending ash clouds across our state. Scientist agree that Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes in the Cascade Range are capable of future eruptions.

Shelter-in-Place may be required if evacuation is not possible in the event of a volcanic eruption. Shelter-in-Place may also be a protective action during a hazardous materials incident. Train your employees to shelter-in-place before an incident to ensure they quickly move to a safe place and take the appropriate actions.

Resources:
      Preparing to Stay or Go (OSHA)
      Shelter-in-Place Business Guide - NICS (PDF)
      Shelter-in-Place Video (Quicktime required; may take time to
      download)
      Business Shelter-in-Place Training Video (FEMA) (.WMV)
      Volcano Activity and Alerts (USGS)
     

Shelter-in-Place at Home

You may need to shelter-in-place at your home due to ashfall from a volcanic eruption or toxic fumes from a hazardous materials incident.

Prepare a "safe room" in your home - this is a room that can be quickly and easily sealed to protect those inside from ash and other airborne agents.

Resources:
      Shelter-in-Place at Home (PDF)
      Action Plan - What to Do (see page 2) (PDF)
      Shelter-in-Place Video (Quicktime required; may take time to
      download)

Prepare in a Year - Topic of the Month:
Important Documents - Activity #5

Getting Ready - Topic of the Month:
Kitchen and Cabinet Safety - Activity #4

Download Quicktime
Download Microsoft Windows Media Player

Test Your Plan

"Well developed emergency plans and proper employee training (such that employees understand their roles and responsibilities within the plan) will result in fewer and less severe employee injuries and less structural damage to the facility during emergencies. A poorly prepared plan, likely will lead to a disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury, and property damage." (OSHA)

Resources:
      Emergency Action Plan (OSHA)

At home, it is just as important to test your emergency plans to ensure each household member acts quickly and safely. Further, if you are separated from your loved ones when disasters strike you immediately will wonder how and where they are. Test your emergency plans:

• Does each household member know what to do if an earthquake or other disaster occurs?
• If separated, does everyone know who to call and what information they should provide to the out-of-area contact?
• Does everyone know how to send a text message in case phone or cell service is down?

Resources:
      Personal and Family Action Plan (PDF)
      Out of Area Contact Card (PDF)

Prepare in a Year - Topic of the Month:
72-Hour Comfort Kit - Activity #4

Getting Ready - Topic of the Month:
Secure Tall Furniture- Activity #3

Water - Essential for Survival

Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency. During a disaster, it is possible that you may need to shelter at your place of business for an extended period.

Ensure the welfare and safety of your employees and customers by storing a supply of clean drinking water. The minimum amount of water required is one gallon per person per day - for a minimum of three days. Take the time during the month of March to store this essential supply of water.

Resources:
      Safely Storing and Purify Water (PDF)

Water is essential for survival. After a disaster or extended power outage it may be necessary to have a supply of clean drinking water available for you and your loved ones. Learn how much you need, how to safely store it, and how to treat water with questionable purity.

In addition, take time this month to secure your water heater. This can be a valuable source of extra water after a disaster.

Resources:
      Safely Storing Water (PDF)
      Turning Off Residential Water (Video)
      Draining Your Water Heater (Video)
      Secure Your Water Heater (PDF)
      Secure Your Water Heater (Video)

Prepare in a Year - Topic of the Month:
Storing Water - Activity #3

Getting Ready - Topic of the Month:
Secure Water Heater - Activity #2

Minimize the Risk

Washington is earthquake country. Imagine the impact an earthquake could have on your business and your employees. Is your business prepared for such an event?

Minimizing hazards in the workplace will not only reduce the risk of injuries and loss of life for employees and customers, but also help guarantee your level of continued service by reducing down time.

During the month of February identify potential dangers in your workplace and take action to remedy the hazards you find.      

Resources:
      Office Preparedness - Non-Structural Mitigation
      Every Business Should Consider a Risk and Vulnerability 
           Assessment (IBHS)

Imagine trying to move through your house to check on your loved ones after an earthquake - what hazards would you encounter?

The most common personal injury resulting from an earthquake is cut feet. Broken glass from picture frames, mirrors, or other glass objects can cause serious injury, and even death. A simple fix: secure your wall hangings and other items to reduce this risk. Also, keep a pair of sturdy, well-fitting shoes near your bed in case you have to flee in a hurry. It is simple, easy and inexpensive.

Resources:
      Getting Ready - Home Preparedness Overview
      Getting Ready - Secure Wall Hangings-Activity #1
      How-to Preparedness Videos

Prepare in a Year - Topic of the Month:
Out of Area Contact Card - Activity #2

Starting the New Year with Preparedness Action

The Small Business Administration suggests that an emergency plan is as important as your business plan. An emergency plan may make the difference between being shut down for a few days, and losing your livelihood.      

The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan "is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies" (OSHA). The new year is a great time to review or develop your emergency action plans.

Resources:
      Develop / Review Emergency Action Plans (OSHA)

We often think "it won't happen here", but as we have seen in recent years disasters such as floods, severe winter storms, and extended power outages do occur across our state. We must accept this fact and take the responsibility to prepare our loved ones, homes and neighborhoods.

Prepare in a Year is an innovative and simple approach to disaster preparedness. You simply choose one hour each month and complete the designated activity. You can start any time of the year, but why not make disaster preparedness a part of your New Year's commitment.

Resources:
      Prepare in a Year Overview (PIY)
      PIY - Develop an Action Plan - Month #1