The National Safety Council (NSC) called on Americans to develop a "culture of preparedness" for emergencies. Tragic events like recent nightclub disasters and industrial explosions can occur at any time. "The key for each of us," said NSC President Alan C. McMillan, "is to ensure that we understand how to respond in such an emergency." Anticipating emergencies at work or in the community and planning a response can lessen the extent of injuries and number of deaths.
McMillan emphasized the importance for business owners and operators to review their emergency plans. Every business should take steps to communicate emergency response procedures. And employees must be trained to direct and lead visitors and other employees to a safe evacuation. McMillan noted that many organizations start every meeting with an announcement of where emergency exits are located and how to leave the building in an emergency. "Every business, school, and meeting place in America should have such a procedure in place," he added. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires most facilities with more than 10 employees to have a written emergency plan. In smaller facilities, the plan can be communicated orally.
According to NSC, a sound emergency plan should include:
• Clear, written policies that designate a chain of command, with names and titles of those responsible for making decisions.
• Names of those who should be notified for various types of emergencies.
• Specific instructions for shutting down equipment and processes.
• Facility evacuation procedures, including a designated meeting site outside the facility and a process to account for everyone in the building after an evacuation.
Families should also have emergency plans. And individuals should take responsibility for their own safety, says McMillan. That means taking note of the location of all exits upon entering any building, and planning how to make an exit should an emergency occur.