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In 2025, more than 1,500 tornadoes were reported across the United States, far exceeding the historical annual average of around 1,200. While many storms cause only property damage, tornadoes still lead to injuries, fatalities and significant workplace disruption each year.
For employers across Kansas, Missouri and the Midwest, severe weather is not a distant possibility—it’s a regular seasonal threat. That’s why having clearly defined tornado drill procedures is essential. Strong tornado preparedness in the workplace starts with clear planning and communication before severe weather strikes.
When a tornado warning is issued, employees may only have minutes to respond. Without well-practiced procedures, confusion can quickly turn into danger.
At Axcet HR Solutions, our workplace safety and risk management consultants work with small and mid-sized businesses to develop practical tornado drill procedures that help protect employees and prepare organizations for severe weather emergencies. But building an effective plan doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Let’s look at seven essential steps for creating tornado drill procedures that help keep your employees safe.
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Tornadoes can develop quickly, sometimes leaving only minutes for employees to react. Without clear tornado drill procedures, employees may not know where to go, how warnings will be communicated or who is responsible for guiding others to safety.
Practicing tornado drill procedures helps ensure employees can respond quickly and calmly during a tornado warning. Drills also allow employers to identify potential safety gaps, such as communication breakdowns, overcrowded shelter areas or unclear responsibilities.
For employers, these drills are an important part of maintaining a safer workplace and preparing employees for severe weather emergencies.
Let's look more closely at the seven fundamentals of creating a comprehensive plan for your workplace's tornado drill procedures.
These proven and effective tips will set you on the right path to developing a robust safety plan that ensures the well-being of your team during a tornado.
The first step in creating a thorough tornado drill plan is to designate at least one shelter location. You may need to designate multiple locations depending on your business size, layout, and employee count. When choosing a shelter location, keep the following guidelines in mind. A good tornado shelter should:
Avoid spaces with wide-span, flat roofs, such as those found in auditoriums, cafeterias, or gyms.
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Your shelter location should be fully stocked with all necessary safety equipment. Consider the following in an emergency kit:
Once you’ve identified a shelter location, you’ll need a written set of tornado drill procedures for getting employees to the shelter safely and efficiently.
Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area.
A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
During a tornado warning, employers should direct employees to shelter immediately and follow established safety procedures. Questions about whether employers can require employees to stay at work during a tornado warning often arise during these situations.
As you’re drafting your tornado drill procedures plan, make sure to include instructions for the following scenarios:
Once you have drafted your business' tornado drill procedures, you’re ready to run through your drill and train your employees on the steps. For tornado drills, employees should have designated roles and be trained to meet the responsibilities of these roles. At least one tornado drill coordinator should be designated.
Employees designated as drill coordinators may be responsible for tasks such as: stocking shelters with safety equipment, leading employees through drills, recapping and assessing drill success after practicing, and updating the drill procedures as needed.
Running a tornado drill is only part of the process. After each drill, employers should review how well their tornado drill procedures worked.
Consider questions such as:
Reviewing each drill helps businesses refine their tornado drill procedures so employees can respond quickly and safely during an actual emergency.
Regularly review and update your business' tornado drill procedures to ensure it remains relevant and effective. This includes updating the communication system and shelter-in-place procedure as necessary.
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Your tornado drill and other safety procedures should be reviewed by workplace safety experts for feasibility, safety and compliance with all federal, state and local regulations. Axcet HR Solutions’ team of workplace safety experts is ready to help your company design, vet and iron out its safety procedures.
When your organization works with Axcet HR Solutions, you gain a partner with veteran expertise in workplace safety compliance, risk management, workers’ compensation and more. Do you have safety and HR compliance needs? Find out what we can do to help. Contact Axcet's risk management team today.
Written by
Sam Hihn is a Safety and Health Consultant at Axcet HR Solutions, where he helps businesses build safer, more compliant workplaces through practical, hands-on risk management strategies. He works closely with client organizations to identify hazards, strengthen safety practices, and implement programs that protect employees while supporting operational efficiency.
Sam partners directly with business leaders and frontline teams to assess workplace environments, equipment, and processes, ensuring alignment with OSHA standards and other regulatory requirements. He develops customized safety and health programs tailored to each organization's needs and provides guidance through OSHA inspections, citation responses, and corrective action planning—helping clients navigate compliance with clarity and confidence.
A key part of Sam's work is translating complex safety requirements into clear, actionable steps. He conducts safety training, supports incident investigations to determine root causes, and delivers practical recommendations to prevent future issues. His approach focuses not only on meeting regulatory standards but on building sustainable safety practices that become part of everyday operations.
With a background in manufacturing and safety roles, Sam brings real-world perspective to the challenges employers face. He is known for his approachable style, attention to detail, and commitment to helping teams take ownership of workplace safety. Through his writing, Sam shares actionable insights and guidance to help employers reduce risk, improve compliance, and create safer environments where employees can thrive.
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