Experts evaluating the implementation of earthquake drills in workplaces and the provision of employee safety state that frequent drills enable improvements through evaluations based on identified deficiencies.
Emphasizing the importance of drills to prevent panic and chaos that may occur during an earthquake, OHS expert Dr. Tuğçe Oral said, “Everyone must have an earthquake bag ready for use in emergencies.”
Res. Asst. Dr. Tuğçe Oral from the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, made important statements regarding the implementation of earthquake drills and ensuring employee safety in workplaces.
Legal obligation of earthquake drills
Dr. Oral noted that the 'Regulation on Emergency Situations in Workplaces' of the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 emphasizes the need to be prepared for emergencies in all workplaces, taking into account factors such as the job's activity definition, location, and uncontrollable situations, stating, “For all emergency situations defined in terms of OHS, drills must be conducted at least twice a year, both announced and unannounced. Regularly conducted drills can be defined as the practical application of correct behaviors and actions. While frequent drills enable employees to be more skilled in crisis management, it is possible to make improvements by discussing deficiencies each time. Regular drills will help eliminate the negative consequences of emergencies.”
Drills are important to prevent panic and chaos that may occur during an earthquake
Emphasizing the importance of drills to prevent panic and chaos that may occur during an earthquake, Oral said, “Thanks to the familiarity gained with warning and alert signs, employees learn how to act without panicking. Thus, they can quickly transmit information to responsible persons during a crisis and help bring events under control.”
Pointing out the importance of conducting earthquake drills in workplaces as a legal obligation, Dr. Tuğçe Oral stated, “What the past events have taught us is that it is crucial to make it a habit to perform these drills regularly, regardless of regulations.”
‘Drop-cover-hold on’ actions must be correctly applied by everyone
Oral also explained that during the planning phase of drills, emergency scenarios should be determined based on workplace field monitoring and observations; the drill day, time, and warning systems to be used should be announced to all employees. She added, “During the earthquake drill, observations should be made and notes taken on whether ‘drop-cover-hold on’ actions are correctly applied by everyone. In a fire drill, a report should be prepared by evaluating the intervention process of the emergency team selected and trained from among the employees, as well as the performance of other employees in using emergency exits. Based on the results obtained, information should be conveyed to employees again, and the drill should be re-applied.”
Employees must take ‘Basic OHS Training’!
Stating that employees are obliged to take ‘Basic OHS Training’ as soon as they start working, Dr. Tuğçe Oral said, “In this training, basic information on emergency situations and first aid is theoretically conveyed; contact information for workplace emergency teams and certified first aid personnel information are also shared. Furthermore, it is specified which notice and announcement boards within the workplace contain this information. Thus, employees gain theoretical awareness.”
Everyone's earthquake bag should be ready!
“As we all know, an earthquake is an emergency disaster that occurs beyond our control. Therefore, while awareness of correct actions and behaviors is provided through workplace drills, meeting our needs to stay healthy in a safe area during unforeseen adverse situations is of great importance,” said Dr. Oral, adding, “Everyone must have an earthquake bag ready for use in emergencies.”
Abandoned building should not be entered before inspection after an earthquake!
Pointing out that after an earthquake, all employees should be tracked with an attendance list at the designated safe assembly area, Dr. Tuğçe Oral concluded, “First, after assessing the health and condition of the assembled individuals, relevant units should be consulted. The experienced earthquake might be a foreshock; however, due to the destructive effect of the secondary S-wave, one must wait in a safe area for a certain period. Entry into an abandoned structure or building should absolutely not be made immediately without a complete check of its physical condition.