In an average year, British Columbia records several thousand earthquakes. Somewhere in the province, people feel 50 of them. But even a 4.0 earthquake like the one registered this morning off Vancouver Island is a reminder to plan ahead and prepare our teams for the potential of a sizable earthquake.

Emergency Planning Support

Is your emergency response plan in place? Up to date? Practiced and drilled?

If your business is potentially at risk from an earthquake or other natural disaster, contact an Alliance safety advisor for advice and assistance with emergency response planning. We can get you started with a detailed template, help you plan a drill, and answer whatever questions you may have about the process.

The BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation does not require employers to have a specific earthquake plan. But it is to your advantage to be proactive and prepared with an emergency response plan that addresses the particular risks of your region. And for all of us in British Columbia, those risks include earthquakes.

Your emergency plan for earthquakes should include:

• An earthquake response and evacuation plan that you have tested with your employees
• How to secure your facilities and first aid supplies to limit risk of injury and ensure you are prepared to respond if injuries do occur
• What to do in the moment when an earthquake occurs (whether indoors or outside)
• Training, education, and communication to ensure that workers know what to do in the event of an earthquake and emergency evacuation

Prepare in advance to help workers respond safely in an earthquake. Employees must know and understand what to do if they need to evacuate your worksite quickly. Know the evacuation routes from your facility and create a procedure to account for ALL employees after an emergency evacuation.

Start planning now to protect your business and people for the future with Emergency Response Planning training and Emergency Response awareness training for employees (online in English, Spanish, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese). And contact an Alliance safety advisor for a template and advice. We’re here to help.

More Information

Join the Great B.C. Shake Out Oct 17th

• Great B.C. Shake Out Information and Resources
• Canadian Early Warning System
• Disaster Financial Assistance

Access information, training, and resources

• Resources: Emergency Response Planning
• Training: Emergency Response Planning