Disasters are typically unexpected. Earthquakes, floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes and even a global pandemic can be devasting to a warehouse. Loss of inventory, damage to property and work disruptions are not only costly, they can ruin your reputation, which can have lasting ramifications.
Make an Emergency Plan
How prepared are you should the unforeseen happen? Do you have a plan in place? Here are a few tips that can assist you in creating and executing your own emergency plan.
Make a Plan
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) encourages warehouses to have a plan and exit strategy in place. If you already have a plan, when was the last time it was updated? If it’s been awhile, it may be time to revisit it. Make sure it includes:
- Specific methods for reporting emergencies
- An evacuation and escape procedure
- A detailed floorplan of your facility
- A way to report emergencies and fires
- Emergency contact information
- Instructions for essential employees who must remain onsite
- List of potential hazards within the workplace
Consider All Types of Potential Emergencies
In order to create the best possible plan, it’s important to think about all the disasters that could potentially impact your warehouse. For example, a warehouse in California may be concerned about wildfires or earthquakes. Florida warehouses are more susceptible to hurricanes. Warehouses in the middle of the U.S. need to worry about tornadoes. Familiarizing yourself with the types of natural disasters specific to your location can better prepare you for potential challenges.
Train and Prepare Workers
Emergencies can cause panic. If your workers haven’t been properly trained to handle all types of situations, they will only add to the chaos. When they are prepared ahead of time, it will be more likely they will calmly and efficiently execute your plan.
Live Video Monitoring Can Do More Than Catch Criminals
If you’re familiar with live video monitoring, you probably already know how effective it can be at helping to deter and reduce crime. Trained security operators monitor analytics-based surveillance cameras for suspicious activity. When something is spotted, the operators can assess the situation and respond immediately by either activating an on-site speaker warning, calling local authorities or both.
Did you know this proactive solution can do more than just help catch bad guys? Water damage from a leak or flood can be devastating to a warehouse full of inventory. Even a few inches of water can cause costly destruction. If your cameras are being watched in real time, a security operator can spot the water when it first occurs to minimize damage.
A remote video monitoring solution can also help keep you updated during inclement weather. Because our operators are in monitoring centers out of harm’s way, they can safely watch current conditions and alert property owners and managers of any potential safety concerns.
Here’s just one example:
During Hurricane Harvey, our cameras continued to operate, giving our monitoring operators the ability to provide real-time information to customers about their properties. This in turn allowed them to begin recovery plans much sooner, without having to wait for the water to recede.
It’s so important to be able to act quickly and calmly in a crisis. An effective emergency plan and exit strategy can mean the difference between life and death.
For more information about live video monitoring for your warehouse, contact us.
