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Emergency Response Plans: Preparing for Emergencies & Natural Disasters

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HR Question:

Do we need an emergency response plan?

HR Answer:

Would your team members know how to react if there was a tornado? What about a fire or an active shooter? These questions matter because emergency response plans are becoming more critical than ever. Emergency response plans should include the actions that need to be taken, should certain situations occur as well as what to do following the emergency or disaster.

Often, companies may talk about this in terms of a business continuity plan, or having an enterprise resource management plan. Whatever it’s called, it’s important to have so that there are guidelines for how to best respond. “It’s just a way of thinking about what happens after the firetrucks leave, after the tornado rolls through, or after that emergency happens: What are workers going to do?” says Karen Hamel, CSP, WACH, a regulatory compliance specialist and technical writer at New Pig Corp. (New Pig Corp specializes in workplace safety and spill containment products.)

“Part of that is, of course, being prepared for the emergency itself. It’s important to make sure that you have Emergency Response Plans for what the insurance doesn’t cover, too,” she says.

Hamel shares 4 planning tips that can assist leaders with emergency planning and prevention:

Tips for preparing Emergency Response Plans

#1: Predict What Kind of Emergencies Could Happen

Whether it be a natural disaster or a business attack, take the time consider what kind of risks your company has, even if they’ve never happened before. It’s not acceptable to say, “We never thought that would happen.”

“It can be looking at what happened in your facility or looking at the nature of your facility,” explains Hamel. “If you’re a chemical facility and you deal with a lot of hazardous chemicals, how can they affect your employees? How can they impact the environment? If you’re dealing with a lot of flammable products, if you had an explosion, what would the result of that be?

“Look at both natural hazards as well as the manmade ones to determine what might happen at your facility so that you can properly plan and have the equipment, the people, the training that you need to deal with whatever your particular emergencies are.”

Action steps: “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross and other organizations offer free information that can help you become aware of disasters and emergencies you may face. They also offer templates to help facilities begin planning,” says Hamel.

#2: Prepare Your People

After you’ve considered what could happen, start preparing employees. Procedures and drills are important to ensure everyone knows what to do at the time. But also make sure you have the resources that you’ll need after.

“If you have a call center, for example, it could be establishing a different call center. Or, it could be establishing a way for some of your employees to work from home so that you still have the capability of taking customers’ calls, and being ready for those sorts of emergencies if they do happen,” says Hamel.

Action steps: Planning also needs to include your communicate plan. How will you communicate with employees, families, outside responders, mutual aid groups, stockholders, vendors, customers and the media? “Maintaining organizational charts with contact information can seem like a never-ending task, but it is a critical element of emergency planning.”

#3: Focus on Protecting Lives

Life safety is a key principle of every emergency response, and the logistics you have in place need to be able to align with your plan to protect your people (and property). “Make sure that when there is that crisis or emergency, that people and property are taken care of.”

The list is long, but that can include:

  • Making sure there is shelter place for employees for certain disasters
  • Knowledge and plans of response duties
  • Evacuation plans
  • Steps to make sure people are accounted for after an emergency
  • Back-up power systems

Action steps: Just like standard operating procedures you have, detail the steps to be taken to perform work tasks safely. These emergency response plans need to outline and make visible what procedures the company expects employees to follow when anything out of the ordinary happens.

#4: Be Sure You Practice  

“Practice” comes down to training and making sure that people have the tools that they need to do their jobs. And, make sure that they know how to use the tools.

Making sure workers have the confidence and the ability to use whatever tools, resources, supplies are on-site is going to make things go smoother in case of an emergency.

“This is about just making sure that people know what’s expected of them. It can help avoid a lot of chaos, and it can help keep everybody be a lot safer when a response is needed.”

Action steps: Don’t neglect training or drills and do you best to make sure workers have the right attitude about practicing.  “Training and drills do take time, but they give everyone the chance to get things right before they are in a critical situation. They also can identify plan shortcomings so that they can be corrected before an emergency. Allow time after drills for everyone to comment on what worked, as well as areas where people may need further training,” says Hamel.

A special thanks to iReportSource for sharing their insights on safety in the workplace and the importance of having Emergency Response Plans. For more information on iReportSource call 513-442-8595. iReportSource allows you to avoid complacency and manage risk, all while helping you to reinforce behavior-based safety practices.

 

It’s not negative thinking to plan for a devastating event that could harm employees or impact your company’s ability to function – in fact it’s a good business practice. Bad things happen, but it’s how we prepare for and recover from a disastrous event that often leads to success or failure. Strategic HR has a variety of resources to help you prepare for such emergencies. Visit our Health, Safety & Security page to learn more about how we can help you with your Emergency Response Plans OR pick up our Emergency Preparedness Toolkit and do-it-yourself.

Managing Workers’ Compensation and Claims

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Question:

I just took over responsibility for managing workers’ compensation claims at my company. Where do I start?

Answer:

If you are new to the responsibilities of managing the workers’ compensation process, it can be overwhelming. There are responsibilities that both the employer and employee have in the process. Compliance laws vary from state to state, so make sure that you are familiar with your state requirements. Compliance is very important, but it’s far from the only thing that matters when it comes to true operational excellence.

It takes an integrated risk management strategy to ensure your organization is performing safely, efficiently and profitably. When proactive measures are implemented consistently, accountability is shared across the entire organization. And, when this is combined with a transparent process for when an injury occurs, an organization can achieve operational excellence, improve results, improve employee engagement, and the company reputation will also benefit.

The Basics

Outline Your Policies

As a first step, outline the process and expectations at your company for what happens when an injury occurs at work, medical care for the injured, a process for completing the claims such as:

  • First Report of Injury
  • Accident investigation
  • Time away from work
  • Accommodations
  • Return-to-work process
  • Training requirements
  • Communication methods and frequency
  • Employee responsibilities
  • Preventing injuries

Build a Consistent Process

Once outlined, you need a uniform and consistent process for executing these policies and procedures. Many companies have had challenges with managing workers’ compensation claims as traditionally the forms to be completed have been paper-based and then emailed or shared on an intranet. Many companies are moving away from this due to the challenges of consistency of information, accuracy, timeliness, siloed information, and using incident reporting and safety software for data collection to solve these challenges.

Simply put, using technology to track the data and information, that is—makes it more easily accessible and it helps to make your programs more effective. These systems help you get the reporting and insights that you need quickly and easily to make improvements and understand your most vulnerable areas.

Prevent Injuries In The First Place

Much like healthcare’s focus on preventive care, Environmental Health & Safety has been adopting processes to prevent incidents. If you keep workers safe, you will have fewer accidents and reduce your workers’ comp exposure. This is the secret to being successful in your role in handling workers’ compensation responsibilities.

A safe workplace includes basics such as:

  • Providing and using proper equipment and personal safety gear
  • Identifying potential hazards regularly and resolving them quickly
  • Reporting and addressing unsafe conditions
  • Providing health and safety training on safe work practices
  • A process to report and investigate accidents

Not only is proper equipment, training and processes important, but establishing a culture that has a commitment to health and safety is key. This includes creating a supportive work environment that makes everyone accountable for safety and accident prevention.

As the owner of the process, it’s important that you ensure that all supervisors and/or managers know that they are responsible for the safety of employees under their direction as they can take an active part in preventing injuries.

Not only is injury prevention important for the health and viability of your employees, but it saves substantial costs – both direct and indirect. Costs of managing workers’ compensation claims are not only the direct costs of sick and/or disability pay, but the indirect costs associated with lost productivity, replacement costs, and overtime.

Technology Can Help

With anything, in order to make an overwhelming process successful, you need to provide the right tools. Easy to use software, like iReportSource, allow your workers to collect information in the field on a proactive and reactive basis. The ability to complete safety audits, site inspections and/or allowing workers in the field to submit safety suggestions in a real-time manner will help reinforce a culture of safety accountability as it’s simple to see who, when and what was submitted. And what’s easier than a few taps on a mobile phone?

Your role in managing workers’ compensation is critical to the success of the business. Don’t let the compliance and day-to-day requirements overwhelm you. It can be intimidating in the beginning, but there are plenty of tools, like iReportSource that can help you be successful.

The barrier to operational excellence in safety and workers’ compensation is lower than ever. What’s stopping you?

A special thanks to iReportSource for sharing their insights on safety in the workplace. For more information on iReportSource contact Nancy Koors at nkoors@ireportsource.com or 513-442-8595. iReportSource allows you to avoid complacency and manage risk, all while helping you to reinforce behavior-based safety practices.

 

Strategic HR understands your concerns with the well-being of your employees. We offer expertise in health, safety and security to cover any need you may have from analyzing your safety programs to making sure you are OSHA compliant to proactively ensuring employee wellness. Please visit our Health, Safety & Security page for more information on any of these services.

What Does It Mean To Be a Partially Exempt Industry Under OSHA?

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Question:

According to our company’s NAICS code it says we’re a Partially Exempt Industry. Do we have to complete the OSHA Form 300A each year?

Answer:

If your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code classifies you as a Partially Exempt Industry, it is not necessary to complete OSHA injury and illness records (including the OSHA Form 300A). Unless you are asked in writing to do so by OSHA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), or a state agency operating under the authority of OSHA or the BLS. 

SHRM’s article “Am I Exempt from OSHA’s Recordkeeping Requirements” notes that there are two exceptions to OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements.

  1. First, businesses with 10 or fewer employees must keep these records only if the agency specifically requires them to do so. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees throughout the previous calendar year do not need to complete recordkeeping forms. Keep in mind that if there are more than 10 employees at any time during that calendar year, the employer may come under the requirement. When counting employees, business owners must include full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal workers.
  2. The second exemption is for establishments classified in certain industries. For example, restaurants, banks, and medical offices do not have to complete the forms. For a complete list see the OSHA List of Partially Exempt Industries.

Please note that all employers, including those partially exempt by reason of company size or industry classification, must report to OSHA any workplace incident that results in a fatality, in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. Make reports to the local OSHA office or to 1-800-321-OSHA within eight hours of when managers become aware of the incident.

Strategic HR understands your concerns with the well-being of your employees. We offer expertise in health, safety and security to cover any need you may have from analyzing your safety programs to making sure you are OSHA compliant to proactively ensuring employee wellness. Please visit our Health, Safety and Security page for more information on any of these services.

 

Are Evacuation Drills Mandatory to Meet OSHA Training Requirements?

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Image of Workplace Safety Manual, along with work tools

HR Question:

According to the OSHA Training Requirements, is it mandatory that I conduct practice evacuation drills as part of my company’s annual training?

HR Answer:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not require employers to conduct drills at a certain frequency. However, it is recommended as part of a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan, which is required. OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.38(a) outlines the requirement for written documentation, planning, and training for workplace emergencies, and as an employer, preparing for the ‘worst case’ is something you should want to do. In today’s world where we’ve seen an increase in active shooter incidents, unpredictable weather patterns, and wildfires, emergency preparedness will allow you and your employees to have a plan in place should you be impacted by some type of potentially hazardous situation.

How to Prepare Employees for Workplace Emergencies

Employers should consider evacuation plans as one small part of the required Emergency Action Plan and use them as the opportunity to practice. The drills could include evacuation due to a fire, chemical leak, or even a shelter in place in the event of an external chemical emergency.

OSHA’s Evacuation and Procedures e-tool provides step-by-step guidance to help you prepare your workplace for potential emergencies. In addition, this OSHA Workplace Emergencies Factsheet provides an outline of what is required. Once you have a plan in place, OSHA recommends that you review the plan with employees and hold practice drills “as often as necessary.” It is also advised to include outside resources such as fire and police departments when possible. OSHA recommends that after each drill you assess the effectiveness of the drill (and the plan) and make adjustments as needed.

How to Meet OSHA Training Requirements

Workplace safety training will vary depending on the type of business. Here are some important points to consider when deciding what types of training your employees need to meet OSHA Training Requirements and Standards:

  •  Educate your employees about the types of emergencies that may occur and train them in the proper course of action.
  • The size of your workplace and workforce, processes used, materials handled, and the availability of onsite or outside resources will determine your training requirements.
  • Be sure all your employees understand the function and elements of your emergency action plan, including types of potential emergencies, reporting procedures, alarm systems, evacuation plans, and shutdown procedures.
  • Discuss any special hazards you may have onsite such as flammable materials, toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, or water-reactive substances.
  • Clearly communicate to your employees who will be in charge during an emergency to minimize confusion.

It is a good idea to keep a record of all safety and health training. Documentation can also supply an answer to one of the first questions an incident investigator will ask: “Did the employee receive adequate training to do the job?”

Emergency Action Plan Resources

OSHA has a number of outstanding resources to assist you in your planning process for an Emergency Action Plan, as well as all of the required OSHA standards. Free resources to help you with your safety training plans can be found in OSHA’s Training Resources and this updated booklet which outlines all of OSHA’s training-related requirements in one document.

Keep in mind that although drills are not required, a well-developed emergency plan with proper training (including drills) will result in fewer injuries and less confusion and chaos during an emergency. A well-organized response will help you, your employees, and your business to be in the best position to effectively handle an emergency.

Thank you to Patti Dunham, MBA, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP for updating this HR Question of the Week.

 

Are you overdue on harassment or other annual training?  Does your current training curriculum need to be refreshed to reflect changes in company policy or legal requirements?  Strategic HR has the expertise and resources to help.  Visit our Training and Development page to learn more or Submit a Training Request.