Earthquake Preparedness
- Remain calm.
- Act quickly: move away from windows, glass partitions, bookcases, filing cabinets, and any other objects that might fall if jarred.
- Take cover under a sturdy object such as a desk, and hold on to it because there is a good chance it will move during the quake.
- If you are unable to get under a sturdy object, move to an interior wall (a corner is best because it provides more shelter and protection) and sit with your back against it. Lean forward and cover the back of your head and neck with your arms and hands, and pull your legs up to your chest to provide the best protection available under the circumstances. DUCK, COVER, and HOLD.
- Do not move to take cover in emergency stairwells; you may impede the evacuation of another floor, and it is important to take cover immediately. However, if you are next to a stairwell and it is a safe alternative, use it.
- Do not run outside or use elevators during the quake. There are dangers outside the building such as falling glass from broken windows, falling bricks, metal, and other debris. There might also be downed power lines, vehicles, fires, etc.
During an Earthquake
Falling objects or debris that has become dislodged by the quake causes most earthquake-induced injuries.
During an earthquake, please observe the following:
- Remain calm; do not panic.
- Stay in the office area.
- Take cover under tables, desks, or strong doorways.
- Keep away from windows and glass doors.
- Keep clear of filing cabinets, shelves and tall stacks of materials.
- Check for any injured personnel and administer first aid where necessary.
- Floor Wardens should assess damage and injuries and be prepared to expedite evacuation of serious cases.
- In the event of a fire resulting from an earthquake, follow the fire emergency procedures.
Elevators are equipped with seismic detectors, which when activated, will automatically stop the elevator at the nearest floor; if they are occupied at the time, inhabitants should exit immediately and follow instructions issued by the Floor Warden.
Following an Earthquake
- Be prepared for aftershocks and tremors.
- Take roll call to ensure that your team is safe.
- Proceed with extreme caution. DO NOT LIGHT MATCHES OR SMOKE. DO NOT USE ANY ELECTRICAL SWITCHES BECAUSE THEY CAN PRODUCE A SPARK.
- Open doors carefully. Watch for falling debris.
- Stay away from windows and glassed areas.
- Assist injured and/or trapped people; seek help.
- Assess the damage and injuries.
- Check for fires and fire hazards.
- Turn on a battery-powered radio for information.
- Turn off all electrical equipment.
- Replace telephone receivers in case the telephone system works. Use telephone for emergency calls only.
- Clean up any spills of hazardous materials such as cleaning agents, pesticides, fuels, water treatment chemicals, HVAC chemicals, or other chemicals that can ignite or have a long-term dangerous effect on people.
- Cordon off spills you can’t clean up to prevent slips and falls.
- Take care of cracked windows; they become more hazardous by breaking apart during aftershocks.
- Sniff for gas leaks. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve and move people to an area with fresh air.
There is always a high probability of a fire occurring after any earthquake:
Containing a fire is one of the biggest challenges you might face. A ruptured gas line, electrical shorts, flammable liquids, damaged appliances, and/or hazardous materials can cause fire. If fire occurs, use all available resources, personnel, and fire-fighting equipment to extinguish the fire.
