Seismic events can cause widespread damage, secondary fires, landslides, and liquefaction — a comprehensive earthquake threat plan protects your people and your business.
Threat plans for earthquakes have become a necessity in many states such as California and Oregon that are prone to these environmental hazards. Earthquakes are seismic tremors that can cause widespread damage and destruction — and can also lead to other related incidents such as landslides, surface vault ruptures, and liquefaction.
Employees must be trained to execute drop, cover, and hold-on procedures — and must familiarize themselves with these procedures every few months to avoid indecision and panic when an earthquake actually occurs. Surveys must also be conducted to detect potential threats that could be exploited during an earthquake so they can be addressed in advance.
Building structures and heavy furniture can collapse or topple — causing injuries or fatalities among employees who are not sheltering in safe, pre-identified locations
Gas leakages or electrical short circuits caused by the earthquake can start building fires — making fire awareness a critical component of every earthquake response plan
Earthquakes can rupture chemical storage — exposing employees to dangerous substances that require specific protective actions beyond standard earthquake procedures
An effective earthquake threat plan covers pre-event training and mitigation, immediate response procedures, and post-event recovery — protecting employees at every stage of the event.
Employees must be given sufficient practice to execute drop, cover, and hold-on procedures as part of their earthquake emergency preparedness training. These procedures must be revisited every few months to avoid indecision and panic when a real earthquake occurs. Earthquake threat plans must be shared with all staff.
During an earthquake, employees must stay low, protect their heads, and find a secure location — a solid table, desk, or interior wall — keeping away from shelves, tall furniture, and windows. When evacuating, always take the stairs and never the elevator, watching for falling debris.
Reduce physical hazards before an earthquake occurs. Fasten computers, stereos, TVs, and appliances using Velcro, chains, or cables. Ensure tables are sturdy. Secure propane tanks by anchoring and bracing them, and attach gas cylinders to walls using chains to prevent tipping and leakage.
Do not move from the secure location until tremors stop — then check for injuries and assist those who need help. Stay on guard for aftershocks. Be on high alert for fires, as damaged gas or electrical lines make facilities particularly vulnerable. The health and safety of response teams is the prime concern during post-incident activities.
These best practices ensure your earthquake threat plan is comprehensive, well-rehearsed, and capable of protecting every person in your organization when seismic activity occurs.
Train all employees on the internationally recognized drop, cover, and hold-on procedure — and conduct refresher sessions every few months so the response becomes instinctive under pressure.
Mark pre-identified secure shelter points throughout all premises — solid desks, interior walls away from windows — so employees know exactly where to go without needing to think during a tremor.
Elevators become inoperable and dangerous during and after an earthquake. All employees must know to use stairways only for evacuation — and to watch for falling debris while doing so.
Secure all desktop computers, stereo systems, TVs, and appliances with Velcro, chains, or cables before an earthquake occurs — reducing the risk of injury from falling objects during tremors.
Earthquakes make facilities particularly vulnerable to fires due to damaged gas or electrical lines. Response teams must check for gas leaks and electrical hazards immediately after tremors cease.
Conduct surveys to detect potential threats that could be exploited during an earthquake — from unstable shelving to unanchored gas cylinders — and address them before an event occurs.
Stay In Business helps organizations build earthquake threat plans that protect employees, minimize property damage, and ensure business continuity after a seismic event.