Earthquake & Tornado Preparedness tips from the American Red Cross

Posting this from an email I received from the American Red Cross

Last week, a series of devastating tornadoes ripped through parts of the Midwest and South, causing multiple fatalities and leaving many without power, food and water. And on Monday, two earthquakes rattled the San Francisco bay area, forcing a brief disruption of public transportation.

Events like these remind us that disasters can strike with little warning and disrupt whole communities, affecting the businesses, schools, employees, customers and community members we depend on.

Help your community stay safe – and your organization strong – by sharing these Earthquake Preparedness and Tornado Preparedness tips with your employees and their families and friends.

As a Ready Rating member, we know you understand the importance of preparedness. That is why were asking you to help spread the word. Tell your corporate ‘neighbors’ to visit ReadyRating.org and take the 123 Assessment.

From individuals to organizations, it takes the whole community to be prepared.

Sincerely,

The Ready Rating Team

P.S. Now is a great time to visit Ready Rating to update your preparedness plans, retake the 123 Assessment or conduct drills and exercises to test your plans. Go to ReadyRating.org to get started.

Do you have a family emergency plan?

As we’ve already mentioned, September is National Preparedness Month. In a previous post, I talked about being prepared and having all the necessary supplies on hand (See “September is National Preparedness Month“). In addition to having a disaster kit and emergency supplies on hand (both at home and in the car), it’s important to have a family emergency plan in place.

You and your loved ones may not be in the same place if and when disaster strikes (we can hardly find time to sit down and eat together). Because your spouse, your parents, your children… may not be present at the time of the emergency, it’s important to have a plan in place to help facilitate contact and hopefully, getting everyone back together again.

One of the first things that you’ll find out when a disaster strikes locally is that you probably won’t be able to get through on your cell phone to the immediate members of your family. Local phone lines immediately get tied up. Phone providers also reserve a number of lines for emergency response teams. You will probably find that you’ll have better luck connecting with someone long distance, rather than locally. For this reason, you need to identify an out-of-town contact person and make sure that everyone has that persons’ number. Have them keep it in their purse or wallet, not just programmed into their phone. In emergencies, phone can be broken, lost or unusable and the family member in question may have to use some other phone to get through. Make sure that the out-of-town contact knows that they are that contact person and that they are prepared to help connect family members if and when an emergency happens.

Have every member in your family that has a cell phone program that contact number in their cell phone under ICE. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency and emergency and medical personnel are trained to look for ICE as a contact in your cell phone in case something happens to you.

NOTE: If you cannot get through on your cell phone, try texting. Texting is quick and takes up little bandwidth. Because of this texts will often get through when regular phone calls won’t (this is also true, as you’ve no doubt already discovered, when there is almost no reception).

In case communication can’t be established, have 2 rendezvous points established. The first can be the house if it is accessible and people can get to it. The second point should be some other location that everyone can get to if the first one isn’t safe or accessible. Do your children know where to go if a tornado hits and your home is destroyed? Or if there is a flood and the house is underwater?

Download the Family Emergency Plan provided by the Department of Homeland Security free on the ready.gov website. Included in this document are the wallet emergency contact cards for both the parents as well as the kids. Cut them out, fill them out and put them in everyone’s wallet.

For more information and ideas, go to http://www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index.html

September is National Preparedness Month

This month marks the 10 years since 9/11. This month is also National Preparedness month.

Being prepared not only makes sense, it is a duty for each one of us. When an emergency strikes responders cannot help everyone and resources are stretched to the max. Being prepared allows official responders focus their time, energy and resources on the most needy (handicapped, wounded, elderly, children, etc…).

Being prepared means being educated and it means having emergency supplies on-hand.

What are the supplies you’ll need?

Food
Food means having emergency rations. This can be freeze dried food, energy bars, canned goods and any other type of non-perishable food. Remember, however, not to tap into them until you’ve exhausted all the food in your fridge and freezer, in that order. Work your way through the food in the fridge first, don’t even open the freezer until the food in the fridge is used up. Then, once you do open the freezer, work through the food as it thaws (eat up stuff that is thawed first and allow stuff that is partially or completely frozen to remain in the freezer until it has thawed too). Then and only then, should you tap into the emergency rations. Emergency Smartpacks that are endorsed by the Red Cross are a way to go. Have several of these available for each person in your household. One of the advantages of these type of emergency packs are that you can take them with you if you have to leave or are evacuated.

Water
You should have several 5 gallon containers of water stored for emergency. You need one gallon per person, per day. As soon as the power goes out, fill up the bathtub. If water does run low after a while remember that you can use the clean drinking water in the toilet tank as well as in the water heater if you have to.

Source of heat

Wood stoves are the best source of heat in emergencies. Beware of using kerosene heaters and other types of heaters that might give off CO. You should have emergency blankets available. The silver aluminized blankets are extremely small to store and very effective in “reflecting” the body heat back. Use it in conjunction with other blankets for maximum warmth.

Emergency Radio
A battery powered emergency radio will keep you informed of shelters, emergency posts, news, etc… Remember to have enough batteries to keep it functioning as long as possible. Use the radio sparingly, just to check news and information, to maximize battery use.

Flashlights and lightsticks
One of the best advances in technology in the past few years has been the LED light. Because it uses so little energy, the batteries in the flashlights last 25 + longer than conventional bulbs. Have a few LED Flashlights on hand as well as several spare batteries and you should be good to go for quite a long time. Lightsticks are also a must have. There are several different types available, some which will burn up to 12 hours. Simply snap and shake and you’ve got a safe source of light, no matter what the conditions. They even work underwater. They will store for a very long time and will be ready for use when you need them.

First Aid supplies
In case of emergency, you’ll need more than just a basic first aid kit. A major emergency medical kit would be a good investment to keep on hand. Having first aid certification is also a good idea. If you don’t have it, however, most kits include a basic manual to walk you through the basics of what you’ll need to know for most emergencies medical issues.

Special circumstances also warrant special supplies. If, for example you’ve got someone who has medical needs that require power, you should probably invest in a good quality generator and plenty of fuel to keep their equipment running when the power is lost.

For more help in being prepared, be educated. The Red Cross has put out a great 4 page booklet that you can download for free that will help you be ready for any and all emergencies.

We all hope and pray for a long and safe life with no major catastrophe and emergencies. The reality is, however, that doodoo happens sometimes. Being prepared and knowing what to do when an emergency hits can make all the difference, even possibly between life and death.

What the various levels of protection mean

Level A, Level B, Level C or Level D? What do these levels mean?

A brief summary of each of these levels, ratings that are important if you are handling hazardous materials, are as follows:

Level A (see examples here)

Level A suits provide protection against vapors and gases and are the highest level of protection available. This suit is fully encapsulated and built to accommodate the necessary SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). Level A suits need to be test to make sure that they do not leak using a Pressure Test Kit.

Level B (see example here)

Level B suits are designed for protection against liquid splash. Gloves are generally separate and need to be taped with a special Chem-tape to ensure a waterproof seal. Supplied air must be provided but the SCBA (if that is the source of supplied air) can be worn externally.

Level C (see examples here)

Level C suits are designed to provide protection against particle and/or light to moderate liquid splash. Similar to a level B suit, the major difference has to do with the level of respiratory protection needed. Air purifying respirators (half mask or full-face) can be used. This type of suit is usually all that’s needed when skin absorption is not a factor.

Level D (see examples here)

This level is mostly used for particulate or chemicals that are not hazardous. No respiratory protection is required at this level though additional PPE (head protection, eye protection, hearing protection, etc…) may be used as the situation dictates.

A thorough analysis and evaluation of the situation needs to be done in order to determine the level of protection needed. If a doubt exists, the worst is always to be assumed and the level of protection determined accordingly.

Public Safety Vest Standard

ANSI 207-2006 Public Safety Vest Standard

• What is “ANSI 207″?
  

• Who should wear an ANSI 207 vest?
  

• What is the difference between ANSI/ISEA107-2004 and the PSV standard?
  

• Does ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 require a breakaway design?
  

• Does ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 require the use of colors to identify emergency personnel?
  

 

Want the answers to these questions? Download Ergodyne’s Technical Bulletin on the ANSI 207-2006 Public Safety Vest Standard from their website here.

Updated NFPA 1600 standard for emergency preparedness available free online

The NFPA 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs is one on the most widely implement NFPA standards. This is partly due to the fact that the NFPA has traditionally made it available online for free.

The revised 2010 standard is no exception. You can purchase a hard copy for $37.00 (#33.30 for NFPA Members) or you can view the standard for free on the NFPA website here.

While there are no major changes, the new 2010 standard expands on the 2007 standard with clarifications, expanded definitions and technical requirements.

The NFPA 1600 standard is an essential tool for any size business. It has been adopted and endorsed by the U.S. Department of homeland security as well as the DHS.

Cold Weather and Winter Safety (Part 8)

What to do during a winter storm

Now that all the preparations have been made, let’s look at what to do and what not to do once the winter storm hits.

• Watch infants closely. Infants loose body heat a lot easier and a lot faster than adults do. Additionally, their tiny bodies can’t generate the kind of heat that an adults’ can by shivering. Because of this, it is imperative that you monitor them closely and make sure that they are getting enough heat. Do not let them sleep in an unheated room. Wrap them warmly and, if necessary, share you own body heat but take precautions not to roll over on them while sleeping.
• Watch elderly people closely as well. Because of a slower metabolism and an inability to move as much, they too do not generate as much body heat. Make sure that they too are warmly dressed and wrapped. Think about elderly neighbors and family. They often will not actively seek out help.
• Check the temperature in the house on a regular basis, not just in the main room but in other rooms as well, if anyone is going to be spending time there, especially if sleeping.
• Leave taps slightly open in order to keep water pipes from freezing and bursting
• Seal off unused rooms and stuff towels under the doors to contain heat in the areas you will be using. Keep outside doors and windows closed as much as possible in order not to allow accumulated heat to escape.
• Do not use snow as a source of water, except as a very last resort. Get water from neighbors or any other source first. If you absolutely must use snow as a source of water, boil it first to kill any microorganisms and parasites (Boiling will not, however, remove any of the chemicals and pollutants which may be harmful to you).
• Eat well-balanced meals. Eating isn’t enough. During extreme cold, more than any other time, you need to make sure that you are getting not only enough calories but enough vitamins and minerals to allow you body to function at its best.
• Do not drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages as they dehydrate and cause you to lose heat rapidly.
• As much as possible, drink warm beverages to increase you core temperature. Even water or other beverages should not be ice cold; try to drink them as warm as you can in order not to lower your body temperature.
• Try to keep air circulation to a minimum in order to avoid losing heat but do not do so at the expense of indoor air quality. When cooking, be aware of the risks to the air quality and take adequate measures to protect against them. Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors, the outcome can be fatal and every year we hear of one or more people suffocating indoors because of it.
• Play board games, sing songs, tell stories, read stories aloud, etc… in order to keep everyone in a good frame of mind. Do not allow the mood to become bleak and depressing. The way we respond to our circumstances and adversities is crucial to how we deal with them. Staying positive and upbeat goes a long way.

Cold Weather and Winter Safety (Part 7)

Yesterday we looked at a checklist for the home in case of a winter storm. In that checklist was an alternate form of heat and we mentioned the fireplace, a wood stove or a kerosene heater. Anytime we are moving to an alternate form of heat there are inherent dangers to be considered especially if you have small children and/or pets in the house. Today we are going to come up with a safety checklist for this alternate form of heat to ensure that staying warm doesn’t turn into a tragedy. All these forms of heat are viable options and inherently safe if certain precautions are taken.

• First of all you need to know which alternate forms of heat are legal in your area. In some areas, Kerosene heaters are not allowed. Call your local fire department to find out what is allowed and what isn’t. While you’re on the phone with them, ask them what recommendations they have for the particular type of heat you are going to be using as a backup.
• Secondly, be aware that these new forms of heat may pose different safety issues than the one(s) you use normally. Understand which by-products are given off for each form of heat you are going to be using in order to be adequately prepared. Have a smoke detector and a CO monitor installed if you don’t already have one. Make sure that they are in working order and change the batteries in the fall every year to make sure that they won’t die when you need them most (The summer months won’t traditionally require heat so the risks are less during those months).
• If you have a fireplace or a wood stove that you are going to be using, make sure that they are in operable condition. Get the chimney cleaned by a professional or, if you are the DIY type, make sure you know what you are doing and make sure that the job is done right. After the storm hits is not the time to be climbing up on the roof trying to clear a chimney that has been clogged by a bird’s nest or obstructed. Neither are you going to be happy if a chimney fire starts because the chimney buildup has not been properly cleaned out.
• Another alternate form of heat may include electric heaters powered by a generator. Make sure that the generator is in good working order. Get it serviced in the fall to make sure it’s going to fire up when you need it.
• Never put space heaters on top of or too close to furniture or drapes
• Only use electric heaters that automatically shut off and have non-glowing elements. Make sure that all heaters are UL approved, inspected and clean before using them.
• Always have a fire extinguisher readily available
• If you are using a generator, make sure that it is far enough from the house to properly ventilate so that CO isn’t piping back into the house. NEVER run a generator inside the house, in the garage or in any other enclosed space.
• If using extension cords make sure that they are UL rated and adequate for the usage you are putting them to
• Keep any or all electric cords, generators and heaters away from water. Be aware of the surrounding area as well. Just because there isn’t any water there now doesn’t mean that if won’t be later. Know where leaks could come from, where drips might accumulate or where running water might come from; also be aware of areas where condensation might become an issue.
• Do not use heaters while you are sleeping or when you aren’t around. Do not use where small children and pets are unsupervised. Make sure that the children and pets cannot get to the heater and burn themselves.

Understanding and Classifying Emergencies

If and when your company puts together an emergency plan, it is important to make sure that everyone involved understands the difference between the different types of emergencies and how to appropriately deal with each one. Procedures for a chemical spill, for example, will be radically different from those involved with a flood.

For procedures and documents it might be helpful to classify emergencies in one of the following categories and sub-categories (taken from Wikipedia here):

1. Natural Disasters
2. Man-Made Disasters

From these three categories, we have the following sub-categories:

1. Natural Disasters
   
   1. Land Movement Disasters
      1. Avalanches
      2. Earthquakes
      3. Lahars
      4. Landslides and Mudflows
      5. Volcanic Eruptions
   2. Water Disasters
      1. Floods
      2. Limnic eruptions
      3. Tsunamis
   3. Weather Disasters
      1. Blizzards
      2. Cyclonic storms
      3. Droughts
      4. Hailstorms
      5. Heat Waves
      6. Tornadoes
   4. Fire
   5. Health and Disease
      1. Epidemic
      2. Famine
2. Man-Made Disasters
   
   1. Sociological Hazards
      1. Crime
         1. Arson
      2. Civil Disorder
      3. Terrorism
      4. War
   2. Technological Hazards
      1. Industrial Hazards
      2. Structural Hazards
      3. Power Outages
      4. Fire
      5. Hazardous Materials
         1. Radiation Contamination
         2. CBRNs
      6. Transportation
         1. Aviation
         2. Railroad
         3. Space Disasters

Depending on where you are located, the nature of the work that you do and what your circumstances are, some of these hazards will, of course, not apply to you. The value of looking over this list, however, resides in making sure that you have identified and planned for every possible emergency scenario.

Will the Swine Flu Vaccine will be ready?

With another 1 billion dollars being allocated for ingredients for the swine flu vaccine and the death toll in the US now at 211, the question that Americans should be asking right now is “Will the vaccine be ready in time?”

Clinical tests are due to begin in August and the earliest projected date for the release of a safe and approved vaccine seems to be sometime in October. And that’s with the H1N1 vaccine being fast-tracked! With the onset of the fall flu season usually starting in September, we might be a day late and a dollar short for many, many people. There obviously isn’t a lot of room for snafus and setbacks.

No one is blaming the CDC or the WHO. These things obviously take time.

Meanwhile, companies and individuals ought to be preparing to protect themselves with face masks, disinfectants and gloves rather than just relying on the vaccine. Our best bet is still to try to protect ourselves and hopefully give the Health and Human Services time to get the vaccine approved and ready to ship before the flu season explodes.

Whether or not companies will step up and be ready or wait until the last minute and try to play catch up is something that only time will tell.

Not sure if your company is ready or not? Help is available in the form of a free webinar from the Occupational Health and Safety website:

Rapid Action Pandemic Planning – For the Occupational Health and Safety Professional

for more information and to sign up for this webinar, go here.