Preparing for Weather Emergencies

1. Preparing for Weather Emergencies

2. Session Objectives • You will be able to: Recognize the hazards of weather emergencies and other natural disasters Follow workplace emergency procedures Develop a family emergency plan Increase your chances of surviving emergencies and minimizing property damage

3. Hazards of Weather Emergencies • Collapsed walls and buildings • Injured or trapped people • Impassable bridges and roads • Downed power and telecommunication lines • Utilities out of order

4. Hazards of Weather Emergencies (cont.) • Broken windows • Water damage • Outside items blown or washed away • Extreme temperatures • Lightning strikes • Downed trees or tree limbs

5. Emergency Plan • Evacuation routes and procedures • Critical plant operations • Accounting for evacuees • Rescue and medical duties • Procedures for reporting emergencies

6. Critical Instructions • Leave promptly for home if conditions are safe • Stay at work if conditions are dangerous • Go to a secure designated shelter or refuge area • Take steps to minimize damage • Leave promptly for home if conditions are safe • Stay at work if conditions are dangerous • Go to a secure designated shelter or refuge area • Take steps to minimize damage

7. Evacuation Procedures • Recognize the evacuation signal and await instructions • Shut down equipment, close windows and doors • Go to nearest exit • Proceed to the assembly area • Participate in drills

8. Family Emergency Plan • Develop and practice your plan • Determine evacuation routes and assembly areas • Determine safe rooms when evacuation is inappropriate

9. Family Emergency Plan (cont.) • Know how to safely turn off utilities • List family contact and emergency numbers • Discuss community warning signals • Provide first-aid and fire extinguisher training

10. Disaster Supply Kit • Radio and flashlight • Water, dry or canned food • Blankets and clothes • First-aid kit, medications, hygiene supplies • Map, phone numbers, important information • Cash • Mirror and whistle • Pocketknife

11. Hazards and Preparedness:True or False? OSHA requires us to have a workplace emergency plan for weather emergencies. You should always evacuate the building in a weather emergency. After a total workplace evacuation, you should go home. Your family emergency plan should include evacuation routes from your neighborhood.

12. Hazards and Preparedness • Do you understand the information presented in the previous slides?

13. Earthquake Preparation • Anchor machinery and equipment • Brace suspended equipment • Secure tall bookcases, shelves, racks • Store heavy objects near the ground • Secure breakable items • Make sure materials are safely stored • Anchor machinery and equipment • Brace suspended equipment • Secure tall bookcases, shelves, racks • Store heavy objects near the ground • Secure breakable items • Make sure materials are safely stored

14. During an Earthquake • Move away from windows and equipment • Go under strong furniture or in door frame • Evacuate once earthquake subsides • If outside, move away from buildings, power lines, utility poles, and trees • In a car, pull over in clear spot and stay in the car • Move away from windows and equipment • Go under strong furniture or in door frame • Evacuate once earthquake subsides • If outside, move away from buildings, power lines, utility poles, and trees • In a car, pull over in clear spot and stay in the car

15. Tornado Preparation • Inspect roof framing and metal siding • Install permanent shutters or plywood covers • Secure outside items • Remove or trim nearby trees • Reinforce garage doors and double doors

16. During a Tornado • Get into a solid building • Stay away from doors and windows • Go to the center of the building • Hide under furniture or in a closet or bathroom • If outside, lie flat in a ditch and cover your head with your hands

17. Flood Preparation • Protect electrical and HVAC equipment • Anchor fuel and hazardous material storage tanks • Install sewer backflow valves and sump pumps • Move objects to higher floor and secure outdoor items • Have sandbags and plastic sheeting on hand • Protect electrical and HVAC equipment • Anchor fuel and hazardous material storage tanks • Install sewer backflow valves and sump pumps • Move objects to higher floor and secure outdoor items • Have sandbags and plastic sheeting on hand

18. During a Flood • Evacuate the flood zone • Move to higher ground away from rivers and streams • Don’t try to drive across flooded roads • If trapped, go to a higher floor and wait for rescue • Evacuate the flood zone • Move to higher ground away from rivers and streams • Don’t try to drive across flooded roads • If trapped, go to a higher floor and wait for rescue

19. Hurricanes • Prepare for high winds and floodwaters • Heed hurricane watches and warnings • Evacuate if advised • Go to the center of the building • Be wary of the eye of the hurricane

20. Severe Thunderstorms • Go inside a sturdy building or vehicle • Stay away from windows, faucets, and electrical items • If outside, crouch on the ground in a low place clear of trees, poles, water, or metal fences or pipes

21. Winter Storms • Stay indoors • Dress warmly if you must go out • Drive with extreme caution • If stuck, stay in your vehicle • Watch for signs of hypothermia

22. Heat Waves • Remember heatstroke can kill • Go to air conditioned locations • Avoid strenuous work • Postpone outdoor games and activities • Drink plenty of fluids • Check on family, neighbors, and friends

23. Volcanic Eruptions • Watch for mudflows, earthquakes, ash fall • Follow community warning systems and disaster plans • Evacuate if advised • If advised to shelter in place, close windows, and bring in animals and vehicles • If outside, seek shelter

24. Wildfire Preparation • Trim trees and remove debris • Plan water sources • Plan evacuation routes

25. During a Wildfire • Shut off gas and electricity, and close windows and doors • Water surrounding vegetation • If trapped outside, crouch in a pond or river, or move to an open area

26. Natural Disaster Response Flood Drink Fluids Tornado Go to a higher ground Heat Wave Stay away from electricity Thunderstorm Go to an inner room

27. Natural Disaster Response • Do you understand about: • Weather emergencies and natural disasters? • How to prepare for and survive these events?

28. Key Points to Remember Know the hazards of weather emergencies Understand our workplace emergency plan Develop a family emergency plan Put together a disaster supply kit Be prepared to survive any type of natural disaster