Preparing your organization for natural disasters: Earthquakes

Earthquakes can strike at any time of day, on any day of the year. On average, there are 75 to 80 moderate to severe earthquakes a year, costing up to $200 billion in losses. Preparing your organization for earthquakes is crucial to ensure employee and family safety, asset protection, and minimal operational disruption.?

Let’s look at the steps your organization can take to prepare for an earthquake.?

Develop an emergency response plan?

• Create a comprehensive emergency response plan for both your organization and your family that outlines procedures for before, during, and after an earthquake. A well thought out plan can significantly reduce confusion, panic, and potential injuries during a crisis.?

• Assign responsibilities to specific employees and establish communication protocols to ensure a more coordinated and effective response during an emergency.?

• Create an emergency plan that includes designated methods of communication and gathering locations away from the workplace, in case it becomes unsafe or inaccessible.?

Conduct risk assessment?

• Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in your workplace that could be exacerbated by an earthquake. Understanding specific risks allows for targeted prevention and mitigation strategies.?

• Assess the structural integrity of your building and implement necessary reinforcements. Structural improvements can mean the difference between a building withstanding an earthquake or suffering catastrophic damage.?

Educate and train employees?

• Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees on earthquake safety procedures. Knowledgeable employees are more likely to respond calmly and effectively during an actual emergency.?

• “Drop, Cover, Hold On.”??

• Practice earthquake drills, ensuring that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.??

Secure equipment and infrastructure?

• Avoid significant injuries by securing heavy furniture, equipment, and other objects that could become hazards during an earthquake.??

• Install automatic gas shut-off valves and fire-suppression systems to prevent secondary hazards.??

Build an emergency kit?

• Assemble emergency kits that include essentials such as water, food, first-aid supplies, flashlights, and batteries.??

• Store additional supplies, such as blankets and sturdy shoes, in a designated location.??

Establish communication channels?

• Set up multiple communication channels to relay information and updates during and after an earthquake.??

• Designate specific individuals to communicate with emergency responders and external stakeholders.??

Review insurance coverage?

• Review insurance policies to ensure your business is adequately covered for earthquake damage. Despite the known threat of earthquakes, companies operating in earthquake-prone areas may not be prepared for the financial costs of earthquakes. For example, California has a 90 percent risk of significant earthquakes occurring each year, yet only 11 percent of its citizens have earthquake insurance.??

• Consider additional coverage options such as business interruption insurance.??

Collaborate with local authorities?

• Establish partnerships with local emergency responders and authorities to coordinate response efforts. This collaboration can lead to faster, more-effective responses and potentially save lives and property.?

• Stay informed about local earthquake preparedness initiatives and resources to ensure your organization is aligned with community-wide efforts and can take advantage of available resources.?

Continuously review and update plans?

• Regularly review and update your emergency response plan to reflect changes in your organization and lessons learned from drills or incidents.??

• Solicit feedback from employees to identify areas for improvement.??

By taking proactive steps to prepare your organization for earthquakes, you can enhance safety and resilience and better protect your employees, families, and assets in the event of an earthquake.?