Tornado Drill Procedures: A Step-by-Step Guide for Busineses

In 2022, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded 1,341 tornadoes in the United States. While many did not result in injuries or fatalities, tornadoes claimed the lives of 25 Americans that year.

Being prepared for a tornado is crucial, as these natural disasters can strike at any time, potentially while your employees are at work. As an employer, it is your responsibility to have tornado drill procedures and a safety plan in place to protect your workforce. However, developing these plans from scratch can be a challenging task.

At Axcet HR Solutions, we recognize the paramount importance of employee safety, especially for small business owners and managers with myriad concerns. Our seasoned workplace safety consultants assist employers in managing the intricacies of natural disaster preparedness, alleviating one significant burden from their shoulders. 

RELATED: Inclement Weather Policy - Can Employers Require Attendance? >>

Tornado Drill Procedures: Six Steps to Building Your Safety Plan 

Let's look more closely at the six 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.

Step 1: Choose a Shelter-in-Place Location 

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: 

• Be away from exterior walls and windows

  OSHA recommends an interior room or hallway on a building’s lowest floor. An ideal shelter room is constructed with reinforced concrete, brick, or block and has no windows. 

• Have a strong roof and floor

  Avoid spaces with wide-span, flat roofs, such as those found in auditoriums, cafeterias, or gyms. 

• Be structurally sound and able to withstand high winds 

  No trailers or mobile buildings. 

• Be accessible for employees with disabilities

RELATED: Tornado Preparedness in the Workplace - Keeping Employees Safe >>

Step 2: Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment

Your shelter location should be fully stocked with all necessary safety equipment. Consider the following in an emergency kit: 

• Battery-powered weather radio
• Flashlights or battery-powered lanterns
• Extra batteries for phones and radio
• A supply of sustainable and non-perishable food and water
• Medicine and first aid kits
• Dust masks
• Whistle (for altering/signaling for help)
• Personal sanitation supplies (including moist towelettes, hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes, waterproof bags and ties, etc.)
• Secured pliers or wrenches to shut off utilities
• Fire extinguisher 

Step 3: Draft Your Written Tornado Drill Procedures Plan 

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. 

• Understand the difference between a tornado watch and a warning 

  • Tornado watch: Be alert 

Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. 

• • Tornado warning: Take action 

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. 

• Assign roles and responsibilities 

  • Designate specific roles and responsibilities to employees during a tornado watch or warning. 
  • Assign a person responsible for monitoring weather alerts and informing the rest of the staff. 
  • Assign roles for guiding employees to the shelter, accounting for all staff in the shelter and providing first aid if necessary.  

• Implement a communication system 

  • Develop a clear system for communicating tornado watches and warnings to all employees. 
  • Decide on the method of communication (e.g., public address system, text messages, or email alerts). 

• What to do during a tornado watch 

  • Monitor the situation and stay informed about weather updates. 
  • Prepare to take shelter if the watch escalates to a warning. 
  • Inform all employees of the watch and remind them of the shelter location. 

• What to do in a tornado warning 

  • Immediately communicate the warning to all employees using the established communication system. 
  • Instruct all employees to proceed to the designated shelter location. 
  • Ensure that everyone knows to avoid windows and to protect their heads and necks from flying debris and falling objects. 

• Regular drills and training

  • Determine the frequency of regular tornado drills to practice the shelter-in-place procedure during a tornado warning. 

As you’re drafting your tornado drill procedures plan, make sure to include instructions for the following scenarios: 

• What to do if the shelter is damaged 

  If the shelter location has been damaged or begins to smell like gas or any other flammable substance, employees should be guided to leave immediately and with extreme caution. Stay clear of fallen or broken utility lines, power lines,/and glass. 

• What to do if employees are trapped in the shelter 

  If trapped in an unsafe location, contact 911 for rescue and instruct employees to cover their mouths and avoid breathing in chemicals or debris. 

• What to do if an employee is injured

  Several employees should be trained to deliver CPR and first aid. Employees should be trained to never attempt to move an individual who has experienced a back or neck injury unless the injured individual is in immediate danger. 

Step 4: Train Your Employees on Safety Procedures 

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. 

Step 5: Review and Update Tornado Drill Procedures Regularly 

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. 

RELATED: Human Resources Disaster Preparedness - Is Your Workplace Ready? >>

Step 6: Consult Workplace Safety Experts 

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.