Safety Newsletter
Emergencies can happen at any time. The most effective way to handle a crisis situation is to prepare in advance by creating an Emergency Action Plan. OSHA requires written Emergency Action Plans for many businesses. Beyond regulations, there are many reasons for having a solid preparedness program.
The main reason to have an emergency action plan is to keep your employees safe in case of a disaster. The confusion of an emergency is an added risk and can make a bad situation worse. Being prepared can help mitigate this risk and prevent fatalities and injuries, reduce damage to buildings, stock, and equipment.
The best time to handle an emergency is before it takes place. Before you create your emergency action plan, you’ll need to analyze your site and identify potential hazards. These can vary from site to site and will cover risks such as having hazardous materials on hand, older buildings built to lower-standard safety codes, or natural disasters likely in your area, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes.
While the plan will be dependent on the type of emergency, some of the basic preparations will be similar for multiple problems. Ensure that your action plan considers all three phases of the emergency: before, during/immediate response to the emergency, and the aftermath. Always provide steps for getting people to safety and always have a clear and effective plan for communicating with everyone who could be affected. Be sure to consider not only what hazards you may face and how to stay safe during them, but also the effects of those hazards after an emergency.
Once you have identified all of the possible hazards you may face and the potential effects, you should devise responses for each hazard. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Your emergency action plan provides no benefit if it is simply filed away. It needs to be shared with and read by the entire company for several reasons.
We’re proud to recognize our Asbestos Removal Team working on the Palisades Restart Project as our August Crew of the Month! This dedicated group has taken on numerous abatement tasks critical to the success of the project, including the meticulous setup of containment enclosures, installation of ventilation and HEPA filtration systems, and the safe dismantling and disposal of all materials upon completion. Their work is physically demanding, often performed in hot environments while wearing full PPE such as respirators and protective suits. Despite these challenges and frequent short-notice requests the team consistently responds with professionalism, urgency, and care. Most notably, they have completed every task without injury, incident, or exposure. Their commitment to safety and excellence makes them a standout team on the Palisades Restart Project. Thank you for your exceptional work!
