SANTA ANA, Calif., September 2, 2014—September is National Preparedness Month, and ContractorHelpers.com wants to remind California contractors and California construction companies that this is a great time to put together an emergency kit, establish a system for alerting employees and clients in the event of a disaster, developing a contingency plan to get your contractor business up and running in the wake of an emergency–and putting an Emergency Action Plan in place.

While all California-based businesses with more than 10 employees must maintain a written Emergency Action Plan, it’s a good idea for all businesses to have such a plan in place, covering all potential emergencies that can be expected in the workplace.

The Emergency Action Plan should include:

• Emergency escape procedures and mapped escape routes
• Critical operations procedures for employees to follow prior to evacuation
• Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation
• Rescue and medical duties
• Procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies

Train employees regarding the most important points of the Emergency Action Plan, including:

• The types of emergencies that may occur
• Evacuation procedures
• Alarm systems
• Reporting procedures
• Shutdown procedures

Be sure to re-evaluate and update the Emergency Action Plan periodically, and to schedule annual emergency drills. Don’t forget to train new employees when they are hired, and to offer refresher training sessions on a regular basis (annually). All employees should know the location of and how to use fire extinguishers and first aid kits.

ContractorHelpers.com is a service of Insurance Partners, Inc., which has been providing quality protection for contractors for more than 35 years. California contractors insurance specialists work with companies on everything from California general liability and California workers compensation insurance to contractor bonds and a “pay as you sell” liability insurance program designed especially for homebuilders. If you have questions about your contractor insurance coverage, contact us.