By
Randy Clayton
on
Mar
07,
2023
5 min read
4 Comments
March 1 marks the opening of the severe weather season in the central region of the United States and this year is off to an active start. In fact, 2023 has been the third most active in the last seven decades when looking at the total number of tornadoes during the first two months of the year.
A total of 220 tornadoes have been reported in the U.S. this year with the majority occurring in January. The only two tornado seasons with a more active start than this year's occurred in 1999 and 2008.
According to AccuWeather, after years of below-average tornadoes in Tornado Alley, 2023 may bring an uptick in early spring storms. Typically, the number of tornadoes seen in February double in March. Looking back to last March, there were 236 documented tornadoes in the U.S. from three separate outbreaks. In terms of this March, the best anyone can do is review their disaster preparedness policies and be prepared.
If your business were hit by a tornado tonight, would your workers be prepared? Here’s how employers can keep their workplaces and employees safe in the event of a tornado.
While tornadoes can occur at any time and anywhere in the U.S., December is not the time of year most people expect them to occur. In fact, most occur during the months of March, April and May, often referred to as “Tornado Season”. In fact, 55% of annual tornadoes occur during these months. But it isn’t just the volume of tornadoes that makes this time of year so dangerous, the intensity is at its peak as well, resulting in more fatalities and damage.
Oftentimes, tornadoes strike without warning making knowing all the signs and being prepared a must to help reduce the likelihood of employee injuries or fatalities.
Unfortunately, most businesses do not have a “game plan” in their employee handbook for worst-case scenarios, like tornadoes. But without a disaster preparedness plan, it may mean negligence on your behalf, which equates to liability and possible lawsuits. Find out what to consider when creating your business’ emergency plan in this popular blog post.
Know where employees will go in all situations. While the safest place is in an underground tornado shelter or basement, sometimes it’s not an option. According to the Red Cross, other places to go when a tornado warning has been issued include:
Employees should know what the alarm system will be, how they are notified, and where to seek shelter.
Related: When Disaster Strikes, Eight Steps to Prepare Your Business >>According to OSHA, employers are responsible for the safety and health of their workers and for providing a safe and healthful workplace. Employers are required to protect workers from the anticipated hazards associated with severe weather events, like tornadoes.
Severe weather poses an ongoing risk to any workplace environment. However, with Axcet's specialized expertise in risk management, you can ensure the safety of your employees. Our team of safety and risk management consultants is equipped to assist you in creating comprehensive fire and tornado drill plans. Not only that, but we will actively collaborate with you to conduct practice drills, ensuring preparedness for any emergency situation. Prioritize the well-being of your workforce by partnering with Axcet. Discover how our expert solutions can protect your workplace by reaching out to us today.