No one likes to think about situations in which they or a loved one could be injured. But the best way to avoid injuries is to anticipate them. Sticking your head in the sand and refusing to prepare is one of the best ways to incur a serious injury. This is why companies that work with dangerous materials run regular safety drills to ensure that their workers know how to respond to an emergency.
Unfortunately, according to a study from the National Safety Council, regular safety drills are the exception, not the rule. Emergency preparation is in the news because Hurricane Matthew is knocking on Florida's door however these lessons can be applied to any emergency workplace situation.
According to the study, 34 percent of workers report feeling unprepared or inadequately trained in basic emergency practices, like evacuations. Interestingly, the same poll found that 75 percent of managers and supervisors felt that their employees were well trained to respond to emergency situations.
The disconnect between the responses may point to inadequate policies. The authors of the study called on employers to critical review their emergency procedures to ensure that they are effective. There are likely plenty of people out there who run through the safety drills but feel they are inadequate or entirely irrelevant.
You and your co-workers need to know how to respond to emergencies. Preparation prevents accidents and saves lives. Your employer has an obligation to prepare you and your colleagues for disasters and emergencies. If you believe your employer is shirking his duties to train you to respond to accidents on the job, then you may want to contact a lawyer. You are entitled to a safe workplace, and that includes emergency preparation.
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