Tips on Training an Office Safety Squad

Well-trained office safety squads make dealing with office disasters easier and safer. Your office safety squad can help you organize and implement your disaster evacuation plan and ensure that when a disaster strikes, your employees will know where to go and what to do.

Training an office safety squad is a way for businesses to formalize the safety process by selecting a group of employees who are responsibility for office safety. Each member should be given responsibility for a specific task. If the office is large, break this person's area of responsibility into one specific area of the office.

Following are some tips for setting up an office safety squad:

• Choose an able leader. Select a responsible, organized person who pays keen attention to detail to oversee and coordinate the safety squad. Everything must be considered in advanced to ensure an evacuation plan will work smoothly when it comes time to implement it.
• Decide the squad's areas of responsibility. What does the office squad deal with besides natural disasters? What about medical situations, fire prevention, and general office safety?
• Designate member responsibilities. Know who is in charge of what, and make sure every position has a backup person to fill in if needed.
• Hold practice sessions. Draw up plans and implement practice sessions for the office evacuation and shelter-in-place plans. Delegate responsibilities for who will handle what.
• Disseminate safety information companywide. Use e-mail, handouts, posters, and newsletters to communicate safety issues to the rest of the office. Promote preparedness throughout the company.

Fire Safety

Fire is the most common disaster that strikes many businesses. Here are some of the ways to make your office safer from fires:

• Have your office inspected by a fire safety inspector on a regular basis.
• Install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, and check them regularly.
• Draw up and practice your fire evacuation plan.
• Post emergency numbers in prominent areas.
• Remove fire hazards from the office, such as electrical outlets with too many plugs, damaged power cords, blocked or locked fire exits, or improperly stored combustible materials.

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies in the office come in many forms, depending on your employees and the nature of your business. Your office safety squad can prepare itself to handle medical emergencies by:

• Becoming certified in CPR
• Understanding how to use each element in your office's first aid kit
• Being aware of specific employees' special medical conditions, as well as where their medication is kept
• Having access to employee emergency contact information

Be sure to visit these important safety-related Web sites for disaster prevention information: the American Red Cross; the National Safety Council; and the Department of Homeland Security.