What Should Be in an Earthquake Kit?

Your earthquake survival kit in New Zealand workplace should contain food and water that can sustain you for at least 72 hours. That is more than enough time for you to reach the destination you intend to reach or to be rescued if you are trapped inside a building.

Make sure that your food is non-perishable, regularly checked for the expiry date and that it doesn’t contain anything that causes your allergies.

Home emergency kit also includes food for infants if you have babies in your household and similar adjustments to match your family needs.

Your earthquake kit list should contain the following types of food:

• Canned food
• Dry, non-perishable energy bars
• Granolas
• Nuts and seeds

• Dried fruit
• Peanut butter
• 9 litres of water

In New Zealand workplaces, your personal earthquake preparedness kit can contain food that should sustain you alone. Everybody in your workplace should have their own emergency kit for an earthquake that is enough to sustain them.

Besides those personal kits, there are also those workplace earthquake kits that are the responsibility of the employer. Workplace earthquake survival kit in NZ has to contain first aid supplies, as well as some basic protective gear.

While you should encourage your employees to create their own earthquake grab bags, you should go on and rent Alsco’s earthquake kit for NZ conditions that will help you prepare your workplace for such an event.

What Should Be in a Survival Kit for NZ?

The earthquake survival kit for NZ workplaces should definitely contain items that will provide you with protection, first aid, sanitation supplies, and even communication and rescue tools.

It should also contain some food and water, although that is something people should have in their own earthquake preparedness kit.

Let’s look a bit closer into these items:

1. First Aid Supplies – There are a lot of injuries that can happen during an earthquake. People who don’t immediately drop down can fall and hurt themselves. Debris and falling objects can hurt those that don’t seek shelter. Your workplace needs well-stocked first aid kits in case of an earthquake.
2. Sanitation Necessities – You can count on your first aid kit for the sanitising supplies when it comes to dressing the wounds. However, if you need to spend 72 hours without the access to your workplace washroom, you will need wet wipes or towels, garbage bags, paper towels, additional water supplies, as well as some soap.
3. Items for providing warmth and protection – It is common knowledge that fleece clothing and blankets can be folded so they take up very little space. At the same time, they are very warm. This makes them one of the good choices for your earthquake kit. You will also need gloves and maybe even helmets in case you need to dig your way out of debris or even just walk through a corridor with the unstable ceiling.
4. Tools and torches – It is quite expected that an earthquake will cut off electricity in your building. That is why you will need a battery powered torch as well as some spare batteries. Other handy items are pliers or wrenches because you may have to turn off utilities or valves.
5. Communication devices – You need to get in touch with your family if the earthquake occurs while you are at work. Mobile devices may or may not work, but you should have them either way. You need a battery powered radio to keep up with the most important news. A power bank for your mobile phone is also useful in case the operators are working.

What to Do If You are Driving During an Earthquake?

When an earthquake starts, you should:

1. Slow down
2. Stop
3. Wait in your car

First, you need to figure out that there is an earthquake happening. This may sound odd, but not everybody understands that it is an earthquake and they believe it’s their car acting out.

To ensure your car is not the problem, look at the trees and your surroundings to see if they also shake or sway in an unusual manner.

You Have Established the Earthquake is Happening

Remember to take those three easy steps:

What to do if an #earthquake hits while you’re driving: https://t.co/IS4Vy92etU #RoadSafety @DriveBC @TranBC pic.twitter.com/OS5pACqI5p

— PreparedBC (@PreparedBC) January 3, 2017

You should not move until the grounds stops shaking. That usually doesn’t take much longer than a couple of minutes.

This is a general rule of thumb, but there are some variations to these steps. They mostly depend on the fact where you and your car are at the moment of an earthquake. The best place to be is in an open space, far away from the seaside and the landslides. Obviously, the daytime is much better than the nighttime.

Of course, before slowing down and stopping, you need to make sure you are not in immediate danger.

Being close to lampposts or on a road that cuts through a mountain means there can be falling objects around you. It is best if you can get away from any slopes and possible landslides.

While beaches may sound like a great idea given that they are usually open space, you should not stay near them due to the possibility of a tsunami.

You will recognise the danger of a tsunami because the tide will go out much further than it usually does right before it. You will have just a couple of minutes to escape the coast if there is an active tsunami warning.

When the Earthquake Is Over

The first thing you should do is check the Geonet website for the epicentre and the magnitude of the earthquake. Of course, this will be possible only if the Internet is accessible to you. You may also want to check the social media and turn on your local radio.

If you don’t have the Internet and the mobile phones are off the grid, it means that the earthquake was stronger than 5 degrees of magnitude.

It is important not to call emergency services if you are not in danger. There will be a lot of people who are and the emergency services need to direct their resources toward those that are in immediate danger. Instead, call your family members and friends to check up on them and to let them know you are safe.

All of this should also matter to you if you are a business owner and you have a business vehicle. Each of those vehicles should have their own vehicle emergency earthquake kit. They can come in handy if a person is trapped in a car or they cannot leave the vehicle for any reason.

Rent your earthquake preparedness kit from Alsco New Zealand. In that way, you don’t have to make big upfront investments and you also don’t have to worry whether your every earthquake emergency kit has all the necessary items and whether they are up to date.

Call Alsco New Zealand and our representatives will explain in great detail what we can do for you. You will also get a chance to receive the best possible quote for your business.

Photo courtesy of Flickr by USDA

6 Ways to Keep Your Employees Safer This Summer

“A life without love is like a year without summer”– Swedish proverb.

Summer is a fabulous season of the year; nature is at its best! Think of the breathtaking views, warm weather and longer days.

Summer is a full feast of nature, and a perfect invitation to spend more time outdoors. For employees hunkered down at the office all year, summer is a time to take a break.

For those still at work, it’s a time to enjoy team-building exercises. Fun activities such as biking and hiking are also scheduled this time of the year.

Summer is a time full of fun, but the activities of the season pose great safety risks for your employees.

In 2019, there was a 24% increase in preventable drowning cases in New Zealand. 34 people died on New Zealand roads in December of 2018. The number is four more than the average number of the last five years.

An estimated 5,000 – 6,000 hospitalisation cases each year are due to work-related ill health.

Combined with having to work under spiked temperatures, summer has its challenges.

Thankfully, this article talks about six ways to keep your employees safer this summer.

Before we delve into that, here are some common summer emergencies you should be aware of.

Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration

Temperatures swell in summer, and the excess heat can easily cause problems on the human body.

Heat exhaustion is caused by water and salt depletion in your body. The condition is worsened by physical activities such as working or sporting. Employers are to ensure that workplaces are safe and conducive to good health.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps.

If left untreated the condition can lead to a heat stroke.

Useful tips:

• Administer fluids.
• Cut out any unnecessary physical activities.
• Move to the shade as you seek medical assistance.

Swimming/Drowning Accidents

Swimming workouts are an excellent way to crank up your whole body.

For your employees, swimming is an excellent way to manage stress and to keep fit. The exercise is also a mood booster, and your office needs to be happy, right?

Whether it’s for a break or part of your team building activities, swimming for employees is a plus. The warm summer weather provides a perfect background for this activity.

It can be fun-filled, but there is also a risk of drowning.

Useful tips:

• Offer swimming lessons.
• Ensure a lifeguard is on duty.
• Provide CPR training.

Food Poisoning

Do you provide a catering service for your employees? If your answer is yes, then you definitely have to worry about food poisoning. Food provided at the workplace should meet food safety standards.

The summer season is also a time of office parties. As you get on with providing catering, ensure that the food is prepared and maintained to the highest standards.

Useful tips:

• Ensure high hygiene standards.
• Seek help in case of an emergency.

Skin Injuries: Burns and Cuts

Skin injuries are common in summer because more time is spent outdoors. The summer allows people to spend time at the beach with workmates, family or friends. Summer is also the time to enjoy cookouts and barbeques.

It is important to encourage your employees to take precaution to avoid getting hurt.

Useful tips:

• Wear sunscreen.
• Carry protective clothing.
• Provide first aid training.

Road Accidents

Isn’t summer just the time to enjoy travel?

Travel during summer could be for work or leisure. Remind your employees not to throw caution to the wind as they cruise down those roads.

Useful tips:

• Always exercise caution on the road.
• Use vehicle sunshades and sunglasses to improve visibility.
• Provide basic first aid and carry a first aid kit to work outings.

Fire Accidents

A lot of fire accidents occur during the summer. This is because people are out to have fun, and may easily forget to put out the fires.

Useful tips:

• Ensure fire pits and grills are 3 feet away from any structure.
• Use fire starters or kindlers.
• Keep a bucket of sand, fire extinguisher and water source close by.
• Keep your grill clean to avoid grease fires.

Hiking/Camping Accidents

Hiking and camping activities are also scheduled in summer. The risks of accidents occurring are high in the great outdoors and so precautions should always be taken seriously.

Useful tips:

• Carry a first aid kit.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Pack some snacks and water.
• Ensure you have navigational tools like GPS devices.

6 Ways to Protect Your Employees

1. Create a Cooler Workplace

In many workplaces, high temperatures are a common problem.

Industrial setups such as warehouses or manufacturing plants can experience even higher temperatures. This poses a great risk to workers already burdened with heavy protective clothing. There is, therefore, a need to create a cooler workplace.

Use Ventilation

The traditional solution involves the use of ventilation. The use of fans, opening of doors and windows could work in a normal office set up. This is not enough in industries where outdoor dust can interfere with machinery.

Invest in a Cooling System

To keep employees safe, it is important to invest in a mechanical cooling system. This is effective for offices and industries as it also allows dehumidification.

2. Provide Water/Hydration Stations

An adequate supply of water should always be provided to employees. Employers must also provide disposable cups.

Employees working outside also have a right to drinking water.

Drinking dispensers should be regularly cleaned to avoid contamination.

Employers should also encourage workers to stay hydrated at all times. Hydration stations should be strategically placed for easy access by everyone.

3. Encourage Regular Work Breaks

Every worker has the right to work breaks.

During the warmer weather, exposure to heat can lead to serious complications including:

• Heat cramps
• Heat exhaustion
• Heatstroke

To protect workers from heat-related illnesses, allow them to rest in air-conditioned rooms. Those working outside should also rest in trailers or in the shade.

Rest periods do not necessarily have to be unproductive times. Your employees could carry out lighter work or receive training.

4. Offer First Aid and CPR TraininG

While summer graces us with many happy occasions, accidents are also bound to happen.

Employers are obligated to offer first aid training and equipment employees.

First aid kits are essential for any workplace set up. They come with first aid supplies which enable one to act efficiently in case of an emergency. When accidents happen, trained employees will be able to take the right action to save lives or prevent further injury.

First aid training helps in making employees more conscious about workplace safety. This helps in reducing the number of accidents or work-related injuries. It teaches employees how to use first aid kits in case of an accident.

First aid training also helps in creating a more positive workplace. It is your opportunity to prove that you care about your employees.

5. Have a Rapid Response Team in Place

A first aid response team is crucial in emergency planning. Emergency response teams should be familiar with their roles and responsibilities.

They should also be trained in first aid to ensure that they save lives.

A rapid response team can consist of outsiders or it can be part of your personnel trained on first aid. A contracted safety or first-aid company is an example of a rapid response team consisting of outsiders.

Having a rapid response team in place:

• Increases chances of survival in accidents.
• Contributes to hazard prevention and reduction of accidents and injuries.
• Helps in identifying and assessment of workplace risks.
• Improves employees morale.
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6. Promote a Safe Workplace Culture

How do you actually do things at your workplace?

Building a positive safety culture involves changing the attitudes and behaviours of workers.

To build a good workplace safety culture:

Communicate

One way to build a strong safety culture is to communicate. Effectively and often.

Hold weekly or monthly meetings on safety and discuss how to improve it. Make safety policies readily available for all employees and keep communication channels open.

Lead by Example

As management, you are more convincing when you lead by example. Take a lead on following safety precautions and your employees will follow suit.

Provide Training

Training employees makes your employees more knowledgeable about safety hazards all around them. It also demonstrates your level of commitment to their safety and well-being.

Involve Employees

Involving employees in safety helps in building a strong safety culture. It also allows you to receive feedback on areas you may need to improve on.

Reward Positive Behaviour

Rewarding positive behaviour helps in boosting morale amongst employees. It also promotes the safety culture at your workplace.

Get Started: Promoting a Positive Safety Culture at Work

To keep your employees safe this summer and beyond, you’ve got to promote a safety culture:

• Take preventative safety measures.
• Involve all employees in safety education.
• Reward those who adhere to safety regulations.

Lastly, always plan ahead as you never know when disaster strikes. Having a first response system will save you a lot in case of an accident!

With vast years of experience, Alsco provides you with rented emergency response systems that are perfect for your workplace. We also offer a wide range of first aid services to suit your business. Contact us today to find out how we can help your business prosper.