From luella.ackerson at state.or.us Mon Oct 3 15:17:34 2011 From: luella.ackerson at state.or.us (ACKERSON Luella * SSD RISK) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 15:17:34 -0700 Subject: [Evac-Net] Earthquake Instructions for Office Workers Message-ID: <783745130C59384FBD6376E7F1BC87E901FD5E7F@exchnode01.ad.state.or.us> Here is some good information that I thought I would pass along. Please forward this information to all your co-workers. Let me know if you have questions, comments or concerns. Luella EARTHQUAKE INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICE WORKERS During an Earthquake Try to be calm. Panic will endanger rather than preserve you. Call out to remind others, "Earthquake! Duck, Cover and Hold!" Look for a safe place to DUCK under and wait out the shaking. In the office a safe place means: * Under a desk or table. In systems furniture, with partitions and no four-legged desk, move to the corner where partitions are connected at right angles. Partitions can be very sturdy if they are firmly attached and have plenty of 90 degree angles. * Near a solid, sound interior wall. * Away from things that can tip, fall, or drop on you, like windows, mirrors, cabinets, book cases, shelves, file cabinets, chimneys, overhead lights or flimsy walls. * Get to know your office now. Is there a light above your head? Where are the sound walls? Many office walls appear to be strong and permanent, but are temporary and weakly attached to the structure. What could tip over? Where are protected spots? Duck, Cover, and Hold On * Duck under a sturdy table, desk, or other protection. * Cover your head. If you are not under something, cover head with your arms. * Hold on to your cover or brace against the wall until the shaking stops. * If your mobility is limited: Move, if you can, to an interior wall or 90 degree partition corner and away from windows or objects that can fall on you. Lock any wheelchair wheels. If seated, bend over your knees. If you must stand, lean into the wall. Cover your head with your hands or arms. * During the earthquake: Buildings may sway, jerk, or roll like waves. It may be noisy. Earthquakes can make doors slam open and shut and tip over office files and bookcases. They can start fire alarms. Items hung on the wall my drop. Ceiling panels and light fixtures may fall. Flimsy partitions may fall over. Windows and mirrors may shatter. When the Shaking Stops * Do not automatically pull the fire alarm because of an earthquake. Upon leaving cover, the first response in a modern office building should be to assess the situation. Minor shakes may not warrant evacuation. Serious shakes call for people to distrust all exits until they look them over for instability or hazards. Fire alarms call for careful evacuation. * Do not automatically call 911 or 9+911 because of an earthquake. Call only if you know that immediate life saving, fire suppression or hazardous materials help is needed. Local emergency services know that an earthquake has occurred. * Some people may be nervous and upset. Some could be injured or trapped by falling items. Power may have failed. Lights may not work. Elevators may be stuck, inoperable, or dangerously damaged (even if the building appears okay). The fire alarm may be sounding. * Stop and think. People may need help. On ground floors and basements, gas may be leaking. Equipment may be running. You may not be able to return. Strong or weak after-shocks may quickly follow. More items may fall. Exits may be dangerous. Weather may be hazardous. The building may, but is unlikely to be, at risk if imminent collapse. Think before you act. * Follow your Evacuation Coordinator's directions. Even if the fire alarm is ringing, the EC may ask you to carefully take some steps to prepare before you evacuate. * Do not rush outside. Inside may be safer. The area outside of a building poses the greatest danger of falling debris like window glass, facades, cornices, and veneers. The extreme danger zone extends at least several car lengths from the building. Danger from falling glass and debris may extend as far out as half the height of the building or more. Sever weather can add to the dangers outside. As the evacuation decision is being made, your Evacuation Coordinator may ask you to check halls and stairways near your area and to prepare for evacuation. * Help any injured people or people trapped by fallen furnishings. Seriously injured people should be moved only if immediate danger requires it. * Get ready to leave whether evacuating or not. Find your car keys, coat, glasses, medication, umbrella, etc. You may not be able to return. DO NOT take any items that are not important to your health and safety. If safe to do so, (upper floors, no gas line near or immediate safety issue) turn off computers and equipment. Do it even if the power is off. * Electrical shorts can cause fires. Use fire extinguishers to put out any small fire at its first hint. Do not try to deal with any fire that you cannot immediately suppress. While you remain inside, keep watch for smoke, fire, gas, broken pipes or other hidden damage. Do not use matches, lighters, open flame devices. If you suspect spilled flammables or gas to be present do not operate any electrical switches. * Avoid any spilled flammable liquids, drugs, medicines, poisons, and other harmful substances. Treat fires, explosion risks, hazardous material spills and other emergencies appropriately. Evacuation * Your Evacuation Coordinator will direct you over the pre-planned evacuation route to a pre-planned safe assembly area. The EC also know alternate routes and areas. * Watch out for falling objects as you leave the building. Watch for downed utility lines and any object in contact with them. If your route has to be in the street, stay in a compact line and look out for emergency vehicles and panicked drivers. * Go to the assembly area and report for roll call. Do not leave until you have been checked off by the roll taker. People's lives could be endangered searching for you. Wait for information about building safety, road conditions, and shelters. If you decide on your own to leave the area, make sure your EC know you have gone. * If your agency cannot provide shelter and safety for you, all employees will be released on their own. Do not re-enter the building that day or the next day unless it has been checked and cleared. * Do not go back into your building. Earthquake on Your Own * In a car. Pull off in an open area well away from traffic and preferably away from steep banks, bridges, overpasses, power lines, signs, trees, or poles. Stay in the car. When the earthquake stops and you resume driving, be alert for collapsed road surfaces, bridges or overpasses, power lines down, panicked drivers, emergency vehicles and listen to the radio. * In an auditorium or other crowded place. Stay put until you see what is happening. When you leave, choose your path carefully. * Outside. Move to an open area well away from buildings and walls. Move beyond where falling glass is likely to sail. Stay clear of chimneys, power poles, power lines, lamp posts, trees or other structures that may tip or fall. Avoid fallen power lines. If you have to walk in the street, stay alert for panicked drivers or emergency vehicles. Luella Ackerson Risk Control Analyst DAS Risk Management 503-373-7003 DAS Risk Management Website Data Classification: Level 1 - Published Confidentiality Note: This electronic mail transmission contains information belonging to the Department of Administrative Services, State Services Division, Risk Management. This information may be confidential and/or legally privileged and is intended only for the use of the addressee(s) designated above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this electronic information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail in error, please notify us immediately. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: