Explain the various types of workplace emergencies and how employers can effectively deal with such situations.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down operations; or causes physical or environmental damage.?Emergencies include workplace violence, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, toxic gas release, chemical spills, radiological accidents, explosions, civil disturbances, and terrorism.?OSHA requires companies to have emergency action plans to deal with incidents such as these. An emergency action plan must include, among other things, procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency, evacuating a facility, and accounting for employees after an evacuation. The plan must also include procedures for employees who must remain in facilities to ensure critical plant operations continue, as well asprocedures for workers performing rescue and medical duties. A copy of the emergency action plan should either be provided to employees or kept in a convenient location where employees can access it. Organizations with ten or fewer employees are allowed to communicate their emergency plans orally to employees.