Page 21 - Occupational Health & Safety, May 2019

your organization, such as flammable ma- terials, toxic chemicals, radioactive sourc- es, or water-reactive substances, as well as the protective actions employees can take should they come in contact with said haz- ards. Be sure employees know who their team leaders are and clearly communicate who is in charge during an emergency to minimize confusion. Include updated re- sponse plan procedures in orientation pro- grams to keep all employees on the same page and prepare them to remain calm during an emergency.
Depending on the size of your organi- zation, you may want to take the time to train employees on how to use a fire ex- tinguisher or execute first aid procedures. Once everyone is properly trained, knows their responsibilities and understands the disaster response plan, hold a practice drill involving the entire organization. After each drill, gather the teams and evaluate the effectiveness of the drill and specify any areas that need improvement. Hold regular practice drills to continuously improve the evacuation process and fix any holes in the plan. As a result, the resiliency of the whole organization will be improved.
After a fire, a business still needs to maintain operations even though the physical location may be compromised. The disaster response plan should detail ac- tions that need to be taken after the fire to enable the company to continue maintain- ing critical operations. Begin by detailing the organization’s functions, services, and who is being served to determine the kind of temporary space the business will need to occupy during the recovery process. If equipment is needed to carry out job func- tions, have a plan to access the equipment and make arrangements to set up an alter- native workspace. Setting up remote access so employees can work from home is an- other viable option for certain industries.
Seeking Third-Party Services
Disaster planning, training, and recovery management can be a draining process for organizational leaders. Seeking help from a third-party service provider can allevi- ate the stress and take the burden off your company. A third-party service provider can help design a disaster response plan to fit your organizational needs and structure training sessions that prepare the entire workforce for crises. Engaging outside ex-
pertise also helps to identify things your organization may have missed and guides the development of drills that will make fire safety second nature for employees.
Surviving a fire can be a traumatic event that leaves a lasting impact. Em- ployers should provide the option of an employee assistance program, or EAP, to help staff adjust back to their daily rou- tines after a life-changing event. EAP ser- vices provide access to counseling, man- agement consultation, and local resources to ensure employees are supported after a fire or other crisis.
Vivian Marinelli is the Senior Director of Crisis Management Services for FEI Behav- ioral Health. She holds a Doctorate in Clini- cal Psychology and is a Licensed Psychologist in Wisconsin.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.arbill.com/arbill-safety-blog/fire- safety-12-ways-to-keep-your-workplace-safe
2. https://www.safetyservicescompany.com/ topic/fire-safety-topic/workplace-fire-safety- training-emergency-response/
www.ohsonline.com
I.T.S. XTreme Live Fire Training
www.lionprotects.com/fire-safety-training-tools
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