If you work in a school, office, church or other group environment, it’s important to know how to handle a crisis with a large number of people. Safety should be your job’s number one priority, and there are several ways to prepare for the best possible outcome in a dangerous scenario. With a little foresight and practice, you can be more ready for threatening situations and create a safer worker environment for everyone involved.
Create a Plan For Intruders
Whether it’s a disgruntled former employee, a burglar or an armed criminal with the intent to harm others, intruders can create a life-threatening environment in a matter of seconds. Be sure that every person in your building is made aware of the safest way to exit no matter where they are located. Have a plan in place to alert your staff of the threat without creating hysteria or unwittingly aiding the intruder. For ideas on how to equip your location with the latest in group security options, click here.
Prepare for Weather-Related Emergencies
Believe it or not, most people don’t know the safest and best practices for dealing with a tornado, earthquake or other dangerous inclement weather event. Consult weather and safety guides to locate the safest areas in your building for these emergencies and inform everyone of the quickest route to these locations. Hold regular drills to train employees to get to safety and take cover.
Practice for Fire and Other Exposure-Related Incidents
Fires are one of the most common safety threats in a work environment. Many people are aware that they need to exit the building quickly, but only know one way out. Map out various exit routes and have them posted throughout the building. Instruct everyone to move several hundred yards away from the building to prevent a traffic jam at the exits.
It’s important to prepare for these hazardous events before they ever happen. Don’t wait until after a disaster occurs to create a plan. Seek professional guidance and start practicing your emergency response plans today.