Everyone should have an earthquake kit readily available!

Experts evaluating the implementation of earthquake drills in workplaces and ensuring the safety of employees state that frequent drills allow for improvements through evaluations made on identified shortcomings. Emphasizing the importance of drills to prevent panic and chaos that may occur during an earthquake, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) expert Dr. Tuğçe Oral stated, "Everyone must have an earthquake kit readily available for use in emergencies."

Dr. Tuğçe Oral, Research Assistant at the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences at Üsküdar University, made significant statements about the implementation of earthquake drills in workplaces and ensuring employee safety.

The legal obligation of earthquake drills

Dr. Oral pointed out that the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 and the 'Regulation on Emergency Situations in Workplaces' emphasize the need to be prepared for emergencies by considering factors such as the activity description, location, and uncontrollable situations at all workplaces. She stated, "At least two drills, both scheduled and unscheduled, must be conducted each year for all emergency situations defined in terms of OHS. Drills performed regularly can be defined as the practical application of the correct behavior and actions. Through frequently conducted drills, employees become more skilled in crisis management, and improvements can be made by discussing shortcomings each time. Regular drills will help eliminate the negative outcomes of emergencies."

The importance of drills to prevent panic and chaos during an earthquake

Emphasizing the importance of drills to prevent panic and chaos during an earthquake, Dr. Oral stated, "Through familiarity with alert and warning signals, employees learn how to act without panic. In this way, they can quickly transfer information to responsible individuals during a crisis and help control the situation." Dr. Tuğçe Oral emphasized the importance of conducting earthquake drills in workplaces as a legal requirement and said, "What the events have taught us is that what is truly important is making it a habit to conduct these drills regularly, regardless of regulations."

The 'Drop-Cover-Hold On' actions must be correctly applied by everyone

In the planning phase of the drills, Dr. Oral also explained that emergency scenario definitions should be made based on field observations at the workplace; the drill day, time, and the warning systems to be used must be announced to all employees. "In the earthquake drill, the correct implementation of the 'Drop-Cover-Hold On' actions by everyone should be observed, and notes should be taken. In the fire drill, the emergency response team, selected and trained from among the employees, should be evaluated based on their response time, and the performance of other employees using emergency exit routes should be assessed, followed by the preparation of a report. Based on the results, information should be re-shared with the employees, and the drill should be conducted again."

Employees must take 'Basic OHS Training'

Dr. Tuğçe Oral mentioned that employees are required to take "Basic OHS Training" when they start working. Oral stated that "In this training, basic information about emergencies and first aid is provided theoretically, and communication information about the workplace’s emergency teams and certified first aid personnel is shared. Additionally, it is indicated where this information can be found on notice boards within the workplace. This way, employees gain theoretical awareness."

Everyone must have an earthquake kit readily available!

Oral stated that "An earthquake, as we all know, is an emergency disaster that occurs beyond our control. Therefore, while the correct movement and behavior awareness are provided through the drills conducted at workplaces, it is of great importance to meet our needs to stay healthy in a safe area in case of unforeseen negative situations" and added that "Everyone must have an earthquake kit readily available for use in emergencies."

Do not enter abandoned buildings after an earthquake without checking!

Dr. Tuğçe Oral pointed out that after an earthquake, all employees should be accounted for at the designated assembly area with a roll call list and concluded her remarks as follows: "First, a health and situation assessment should be made among the gathered individuals, followed by discussions with relevant units. The earthquake could be a precursor earthquake; however, due to the destructive effects of the secondary S wave, it is important to wait in a safe area for a while. No one should enter an abandoned building or structure without verifying its physical condition first."

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)