Employees Who May Remain to Shut Down
Large companies might have special equipment and tasks that need to be turned off in stages or over a period of time. In some cases, it's not safe or doable for workers to stay back to shut down equipment or processes during an emergency, so everyone has to evacuate the building right away.
However, smaller businesses might ask certain employees to stay back for a short time. They could use fire extinguishers or turn off gas, electrical systems, or other special machinery. This is important because leaving these things on could harm the equipment or make things riskier for emergency responders, like causing hazardous materials to leak.
Every employer should review their workplace to determine if everyone can evacuate right away during different emergencies. Most small businesses choose to have all workers evacuate as soon as the alarm goes off.
If some workers are going to stay behind, the plan needs to clearly explain what steps they should take.
- Anyone who stays needs to know when it's time to stop what they're doing and leave before their way out is blocked.
- In smaller businesses, the plan often shows where things like electricity and gas can be turned off, either by staff or emergency response personnel.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-7. Why are some employees designated to stay behind and not evacuate immediately when an emergency occurs?
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