Tornado Season is Here – Is Your Organization Prepared? - American Society of Employers - Kristen Cifolelli

Tornado Season is Here – Is Your Organization Prepared?

Spring has finally seemed to make its way to Michigan, but as the weather turns warmer along with it comes spring storms and the possibility of tornados.  While tornados can occur any time of the year, they are especially common during the late spring and early summer months in Michigan. As one of nature’s most violent storms, they can devastate homes, businesses, and property in just seconds.  The most violent tornados may have wind speeds of 250 mph or more and may last for more than an hour.  The average tornado warning lead time is only 10 to 15 minutes which is why organizations should plan and prepare before a tornado strikes.

 

From 1950 to 2017, the counties in Michigan that experienced the most tornado activity are:

 

Genesee

45

Kent

36

Monroe

34

Allegan

34

Lenawee

32

Berrien

32

Oakland

32

Wayne

30

Shiawassee

29

Ingham

28

Washtenaw

28


According to OSHA, employers with at least 11 employees should have written, comprehensive emergency action plans. Tornado preparedness should involve a continuous process of planning, equipping, and training employees on what to do.  Taking precautions in advance of a storm should involve developing an emergency plan, learning the warning signs of a tornado, monitoring tornado watches and warnings, and establishing procedures to account for individuals in the building.

 

·        Pay attention to local weather – employers should listen to local weather reports or notifications from weather or emergency apps such as FEMA or have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio.  Don’t rely on just one source for warnings.

 

Tornados can appear rapidly, so it is important to be familiar with the signs.  Early warnings about a likely tornado can help save lives. Environmental clues that may suggest that a tornado is forming include:

 

o   Wall cloud

o   Large hail or heavy rain followed by a fast and intense wind shift or dead calm

o   Funnel cloud or strong rotation in the cloud base

o   Roaring noise that doesn’t fade after a few seconds

o   Whirling dust or debris near the ground and under the clouds

 

·        Keep employees informed about weather conditions – methods include email, text messages, or announcements over an intercom/loudspeaker system.  Employers should develop a backup communication system in case the primary one fails and test it regularly.  Separate plans should be made for employees with disabilities or those who don’t speak English.

 

·        Identify shelter locations – make sure employees know where to seek shelter, what to do, and where to assemble after a tornado passes.  Tornado drills should take place on a regular basis and emergency plans should be updated periodically. The best shelter areas are:

 

o   Enclosed, windowless areas on the lowest floor

o   Designated areas should be as close to the center of the building as possible and away from glass windows

o   Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick, or block and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead

o   Avoid auditoriums, cafeterias, and gymnasiums that have flat, wide-span roofs

o   Employees should crouch down as low as possible with faces down and hands covering their heads.  Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls.  The goal should be to minimize the risk of being hit by flying or falling debris.

 

If the organization has employees that work outside, weather should be regularly monitored, and workers should be trained on how to look for shelter options. A building is the best option to seek cover, but if one isn’t nearby, employees should lie in the lowest elevation as possible such as a ditch and cover their head with hands.  They never should stay in a vehicle or to find shelter under a bridge, which can become a wind tunnel for debris.

 

·        Accountability procedures – organizations should have a process for knowing who is in the building.  Specific emergency response duties should be assigned to workers in advance.

 

·        Have a response plan for after the storm – employers should have a plan regarding how to communicate with employees after a tornado hits and how operations should continue.

 

The better prepared your organization is for an emergency will help to protect your employees and customers, and it will save lives.  A number of free resources are available to help employers:

 

·        Prepare Your Organization for a Tornado Playbook

·        FEMA’s Severe Wind Tornado Toolkit

·        OSHA Tornado Preparedness and Response

 

 

Sources: Michigan Severe Weather Week 2018

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