Sample emergency procedures

A big part of being an entrepreneur is learning when to take risks and when to play it safe. Dealing with an emergency in the workplace definitely falls into the latter category. Whether you work out of your home, have a small retail establishment, or occupy larger facilities, you need to minimize the risks you take. Fires, accidents of all sorts, and natural disasters are just a few examples of how your business can be disrupted by things beyond your control.

One of the most important steps you can take to manage this risk is to have a well thought out and clearly communicated emergency plan. How many ways are there to get safely in and out of your business? Do your employees know about them all? If a fire started near your front door, could everyone get out safely by some other route? Are there known hazards that require special steps to be taken in the event of, for example, a power outage?

The bottom line is that you want to minimize the risks that you and your employees and customers are exposed to, and you want to limit the impact an unexpected occurrence can have on your business. These sample emergency procedures can serve as a starting point for creating your own safety plan.

Sample Emergency Instructions

Follow these rules in an emergency:

• Stop work and leave the building IMMEDIATELY when the fire alarm sounds or when you are instructed to do so!

• Follow instructions, avoid panic, and cooperate with those responding to the emergency.

• Proceed to the designated or nearest exit.

• Turn off computers, equipment, fans, etc., and close desk drawers.

• Do NOT delay your exit from the building by looking for belongings or other people.

• When leaving the building, go to a clear area well away from the building. Do not obstruct fire hydrants or the responding fire/rescue workers and their equipment.

• Do not reenter the building until instructed to do so by your supervisor or fire/rescue worker.

• The above rules will be enforced. Periodic fire emergency drills may be conducted. Your life and the lives of others will depend on your cooperation.

Emergency plan. This company has a responsibility for minimizing the danger to life, property, and job security arising from the effects of fire, riots, civil commotion, and natural and man-made disasters. To accomplish this purpose, a Quick Reaction Team has been developed to respond to emergencies. Their responsibilities include the following:

• Arrange for evacuation of employees

• Render first aid

• Salvage and restore company operations

If you ever discover a fire:

• Remain calm. Do not shout "Fire!"

• Pull the nearest fire alarm.

• Dial 911 on the telephone and give the operator the location of the fire, the floor, wing, and room number, if possible.