Tornado Safety for the Workplace

The Weather Channel says tornado peak season runs from April – June with the month of May seeing the most tornados on average with 281. According to OSHA, employers are responsible for the safety and health of their workers and for providing a safe and healthful workplace which includes protecting  workers from the anticipated hazards associated with severe weather events, like tornadoes.

If your business were hit by a tornado today, would your workers know what to do? Here’s how employers can keep their workplace and employees safe in the event of a tornado.

Develop a Disaster Preparedness Plan

Unfortunately, most businesses do not have a disaster plan in their employee handbook for worst-case scenarios, like tornadoes. Without a disaster preparedness plan, employees can get hurt and it may mean negligence on your behalf, which equates to liability and possible lawsuits.

Find a Safe Place

Know where employees need to go in all situations. In a tornado the safest place is in an underground tornado shelter or basement, but most businesses don’t have that option. The next best place you can go when a tornado warning has been issued is a small, windowless, interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Be sure to stay away from doors, windows, and outdoor walls and avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums or cafeteria-style rooms which usually have a large flat roof.

Outdoor Worker Safety Plan

Many employees work outdoors or in buildings that may not be sturdy, so they should seek an underground shelter or sturdy building immediately upon warning. They should never wait until they see a tornado. If they can safely drive to shelter, they should do so, but should never try to outrun a tornado.

If outdoor workers are unable to get to a sturdy building or shelter but have access to a ditch, they should lie down in the ditch with both hands over the back of the head. The idea is to be lower than the debris that is flying around as most tornado injuries result from being struck by flying debris.

Let Employees Go Home Early

Today, severe weather outbreaks can be predicted 24 hours before they occur. If you can, allow employees to go home early before severe weather strikes. Or, if severe weather is predicted during a night shift, be sure to go over the tornado preparedness plan at the start of the shift or cancel the shift altogether.   

Conduct Regularly Scheduled Tornado Drills

Employees should know what the alarm system will be, how they are notified, and where to seek shelter. Be sure to remind your employees of the tornado disaster preparedness plan in March or April at the start of tornado season. 

Monitor the Local Weather

If severe weather is predicted for your area creating conditions favorable for tornadoes, the local news or the National Weather Service should be monitored for watches and warnings. Employees should be regularly updated on weather conditions via email, text, app or other methods. Always have a primary communication method and a secondary method.

Martin Solutions Plus can help you create a disaster preparedness plan and keep your workforce trained for all emergencies. Contact Solutions Plus today for a free safety consult.