Executing safety drills in the workplace is vital to ensure everyone’s protection in the event of an emergency. While it may seem straightforward enough to instruct your employees to evacuate the building, there’s far more that goes into establishing an effective drill. It begins with an organized plan that takes into account potential worst-case scenarios and steps to take in case something happens. You’ll also need to devise a list of contacts, including everyone from locksmiths to insurers.

How to Design an Effective Workplace Safety Drill

1. Select an Evacuation Team

The best way to ensure everyone’s participation is to establish an evacuation team. These are essentially the enforcers who direct employees to the appropriate routes, help those who have disabilities, and ensure everyone on staff knows how to respond in the event of an actual emergency. You should also assign one or two observing employees who can monitor everyone’s behavior during the drill.

2. Schedule Different Drills Often

It’s smart to schedule drills quarterly so that everyone, such as seasonal interns and new employees, is aware of what to do in an actual emergency. This also helps employees remember the important details about the evacuation, including safe exit routes and communication plans. Focus on a variety of scenarios that could occur, from inclement weather to fires.

3. Don’t Forget the Keys

Even in the midst of a false alarm, remember to take all of the steps that you would if there were a real problem on the premises. That’s why at least one manager or team organizer should be in charge of grabbing a key to the office before evacuating. If you forget it and have to contend with a lockout situation, then it’s equally important to have a reliable locksmith who you can contact to help you get back inside promptly.

4. Set Some Key Goals

There should be a specific point to each drill, and you can consider it a success if you meet your goals. Your goal should be to reduce the evacuation time with each drill. It’s also vital to remain organized to minimize panic and chaos in the event of an actual problem.

5. Update Your Existing Plan

With each subsequent drill, you’ll glean a better idea of which areas require improvement. Make it a point to update your plan often. Stress areas, such as speed and focus, if they’re currently lacking. Add contacts for security companies, locksmiths, insurers, utility providers, and others as needed so that you can handle the aftermath in an organized manner.

 

Are you prepared to handle any type of emergency in the workplace? Trust the team at A-Okay Lock & Key to assist in St. Peters, MO. The qualified locksmiths are available 24 hours a day when you experience a lockout or require someone who can assist with key replacements or lock repairs. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (636) 441-1190 to speak with a friendly representative.