What Should Be Included in a Workplace Emergency Kit?
Emergencies can happen without warning. Severe weather, fires, power outages, workplace accidents, and other unexpected events can temporarily disrupt normal operations or leave employees waiting for emergency assistance.
A well-stocked workplace emergency kit helps ensure essential supplies are readily available when they're needed. While every workplace has different risks, these categories provide a good starting point for building your kit.
1. First Aid Supplies
A properly stocked first aid kit is an essential part of workplace emergency preparedness. Supplies will vary depending on the size of your workforce and workplace hazards, but commonly needed items include:
- Adhesive and sterile gauze bandages
- Medical tape
- Antiseptic supplies
- Disposable gloves
- Scissors and tweezers
- Cold packs
- Eye and skin wash supplies
- CPR barriers
First aid supplies should be stored in an accessible location, regularly inspected, and replenished when items are used or expire.
2. Flashlights and Emergency Lighting
Power outages can make it difficult to navigate hallways, stairways, warehouses, and other areas safely. Include flashlights, spare batteries, and other portable emergency lighting in your kit. Workplaces should also maintain their permanent emergency lighting and illuminated exit signs so evacuation routes can remain visible if normal power is lost.
3. Communication Equipment
Employees may need information even if normal communication systems aren't available. Depending on your emergency plan, consider keeping items such as:
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Portable phone chargers or power banks
- Backup batteries
- Whistles
- Emergency contact lists
Keep important phone numbers and emergency procedures available in a physical format rather than relying entirely on phones or computers.
4. Personal Protective Equipment
The appropriate PPE depends on the hazards present in your workplace. Protective gloves, safety glasses, high-visibility vests, or respiratory protection appropriate to the emergency plan may be useful additions. PPE should be selected based on a workplace hazard assessment rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
5. Emergency Tools and Supplies
A few basic tools can be extremely useful during a workplace emergency. Consider including:
- Multi-purpose tools
- Duct tape
- Plastic sheeting
- Utility gloves
- Emergency blankets
- Basic sanitation supplies
- Trash bags
- Paper towels
- Notepads and permanent markers
Think about the types of emergencies most likely to affect your facility when deciding what additional tools to include.
6. Important Emergency Information
An emergency kit should contain information as well as physical supplies. Keep copies of your emergency action plan, evacuation procedures, facility maps, employee emergency contacts, and important utility or service numbers available. Make sure employees know where this information is stored and who is responsible for accessing it during an emergency.
7. Facility-Specific Emergency Supplies
A small office may need very different emergency supplies than a warehouse, manufacturing facility, laboratory, or construction site. Evaluate your facility's unique hazards and add specialized supplies accordingly. Depending on the workplace, this might include spill-control materials, eyewash supplies, additional PPE, weather-emergency products, traffic-control equipment, or other hazard-specific supplies.
Don't Just Build It, Maintain It
Putting together an emergency kit is only the first step. Assign someone to inspect it on a regular schedule and check for:
- Expired first aid supplies
- Missing or previously used items
- Dead or leaking batteries
- Damaged equipment
- Outdated emergency contacts
- Changes in workplace hazards or staffing
Supplies should also be stored somewhere clearly identified and readily accessible during an emergency.
Prepare Your Workplace Before an Emergency Happens
There is no single emergency kit that's perfect for every business. Start with basic necessities such as first aid supplies, lighting, communication equipment, PPE, and emergency information, then customize your kit based on your facility, workforce, location, and potential hazards.
Most importantly, make sure employees know where emergency supplies are kept and understand your workplace emergency procedures. The best emergency kit is one that's stocked, maintained, accessible, and ready before you actually need it.