How can you prepare your facility for an earthquake?

1 Risk assessment

The first step in preparing your facility for an earthquake is to conduct a risk assessment to identify the potential hazards and vulnerabilities in your building and surroundings. A risk assessment can help you determine the likelihood and severity of an earthquake in your area, the structural integrity and safety of your building, the location and condition of utilities and systems, and the needs and capacities of your staff and clients. You can use tools such as the FEMA Earthquake Risk Assessment Tool or the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program to help you with your risk assessment.

3 Equipment and supplies

Another important step in preparing your facility for an earthquake is to secure and maintain your equipment and supplies that are essential for your operations and services. You should inspect and anchor any heavy or tall furniture, shelves, cabinets, or equipment that could fall or topple during an earthquake. You should also store any hazardous materials, such as chemicals, gases, or flammable liquids, in secure and labeled containers and cabinets. Additionally, you should have enough emergency supplies, such as water, food, flashlights, batteries, radios, first aid kits, blankets, and personal protective equipment, for your staff and clients.

4 Documentation and records

One more vital step in preparing your facility for an earthquake is to protect and back up your documentation and records that are important for your business continuity and compliance. You should store any hard copies of your documents and records in fireproof and waterproof safes or cabinets and keep them away from windows or doors that could shatter or break during an earthquake. You should also create digital copies of your documents and records and store them in cloud-based or off-site servers or devices that are accessible and secure.

5 Inspection and repair

The final step in preparing your facility for an earthquake is to inspect and repair any defects or damages that could compromise the safety and functionality of your building and systems. You should check and fix any cracks, leaks, or corrosion in your walls, floors, ceilings, pipes, wires, or ducts. You should also test and service your fire alarms, sprinklers, generators, HVAC, or other systems that could malfunction or fail during or after an earthquake. Furthermore, you should hire a licensed contractor or engineer to assess and reinforce your building's seismic resistance and compliance.

By following these steps, you can prepare your facility for an earthquake and reduce the risk of injuries, losses, or disruptions. However, you should also be ready to adapt and improvise in case of an unexpected or severe earthquake that could exceed your preparedness level. Remember that your safety and the safety of your staff and clients are the top priorities in any emergency situation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?