Hurricane Season Is Here – Now What?

by, Robert J. Box

This article is generally applicable to employers in the United States with locations in or near hurricane landfall zones. These preparedness tips can be useful for employers located inland, in areas where former hurricanes typically change to tropical storms.

Hurricanes are large, organized, circulating storm systems with sustained wind speeds of 74 miles per hour to speeds in excess of 155 miles per hour. In the United States, the Eastern coastline, areas near the Gulf of Mexico and parts of the Southwestern United States are typically vulnerable to hurricanes. The Hawaiian Islands are not immune from hurricanes, either.

The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season lasts from June to November and is at its height between August and October.

Hurricane Responsibilities for Employers

Each employer is responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for its workers. Employers are required to protect workers from the anticipated hazards associated with evacuation, response and recovery operations related to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Being Prepared Begins with Planning

An evacuation plan must be in place to ensure workers can get to safety in case the work area is hit by a hurricane. A thorough evacuation plan should include:

•  Conditions that will activate the plan
• Chain of command
• Emergency functions and who will perform them
• Specific evacuation procedures, including exits and hurricane evacuation routes
• Procedures to account for workers, customers and visitors
• Equipment for personnel

Know the Terminology

In addition to being prepared with evacuation plans, it is important to be familiar with the warning terms used for hurricanes, as well as your local community’s emergency plans, warning signals, and shelters.

Hurricane Watch or Tropical Storm Watch indicates a hurricane or tropical storm is possible in the specified area.

Hurricane Warning & Tropical Storm Warning indicates a hurricane or tropical storm is expected to reach the area, typically within 24 hours.

Be prepared to follow instructions from the local authorities and to evacuate if instructed to do so.

Hurricane Ratings from 1 to 5 are based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed and potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and significant property damage. Category 1 and 2 storms should not be discounted regarding their threat to safety and should be taken seriously.

Have the Proper Equipment

Obtain emergency supply kits and keep them in shelter locations. Examples include:

• Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
• Emergency Response Plan – Evacuation
• Hurricane Preparedness – Emergency Supplies

Training, Drills & Document

• Ensure that all workers know what to do in case of an emergency and document the training that was conducted with sign-in sheets and even a quiz to assure the training was understood
• Practice evacuation plans on a regular basis and document the exercises, and
• Update plans and procedures based on lessons learned from exercises.
  

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Safety First Consulting helps businesses identify OSHA compliance issues in their workplaces, manage their safety programs, and we become accountable for the results.  In addition to offering custom written safety programs for companies, Safety First Consulting provides required safety training, industrial hygiene sampling, noise sampling, and workplace inspections.