{"id":5167,"date":"2013-10-24T09:35:42","date_gmt":"2013-10-24T13:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smartsign.com\/blog\/?p=5167"},"modified":"2023-11-03T05:43:48","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T09:43:48","slug":"workplace-emergency-preparedness-survey-cintas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartsign.com/blog\/workplace-emergency-preparedness-survey-cintas\/","title":{"rendered":"Most workplaces lack in emergency preparedness, says survey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do your employees know how to handle a crisis at workplace? Is your office\u2019s emergency preparedness plan adequate?<\/p>\n

\"Emergency

Emergency exit signs should be much more visible than this one. From Paul Sableman<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

OSHA defines workplace emergency as \u201can unforeseen situation that threatens your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage.\u201d It is important for employers to see whether a workplace is fully equipped to handle every kind of emergency, and if not, plan adequately for a timely response to these emergencies.<\/p>\n

Workplaces lacking in emergency preparedness<\/b><\/h3>\n

An online poll, conducted by\u00a0Cintas Corporation, reveals that less than a third of employed U.S. adults (31 percent) consider their workplace proactive about emergency preparedness. The poll surveyed 2,019 employed US adults, aged 18 years and older.<\/p>\n

More than three-quarters of the participants said that no emergency drill for weather-related disasters had been conducted in their workplaces. Only 43 percent pointed out that their workplace has an emergency response plan in place. A mere 19 percent indicated that their workplace had involved employees as part of an emergency response team.<\/p>\n

“Our survey highlights a gaping hole in organizational preparedness,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Jamie Samide, Senior Director of Marketing, Cintas. He adds, \u201cSince many employed adults spend the majority of their waking hours in the workplace, organizations need to be prepared to handle injuries, health emergencies or inclement weather with both proactive and reactive solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prepare your workplace for an emergency<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to OSHA specifications, almost all businesses need to have an\u00a0Emergency Action Plan<\/a>\u00a0(EAP) in place. At a minimum, employees should at know how to evacuate the building safely and gather at designated assembly points until they get the all clear signal.<\/p>\n

Trained staff and volunteers can do wonders during an emergency. Apart from assisting clients and visitors towards the exit routes, they can also guide emergency personnel in locating key safety equipment to bring the situation under control.<\/p>\n

The Red Cross provides flexible training options<\/a> that meet OSHA and other regulatory standards, so that organizations can choose the ones that best meet their requirements.<\/p>\n

Emergency planning tips<\/b><\/h3>\n

To adequately prepare your workplace for an emergency, you must:<\/p>\n