Safety Requirements for Tornadoes

The National Severe Storms Laboratory calls tornadoes "nature's most violent storms." When a tornado hits, it's important to be prepared ahead of time. This may help prevent you and your employees from being injured. Tornadoes are mostly found east of the Rocky Mountains during the summer months, so employers in this region will want to pay special attention to the safety requirements for tornadoes.

Shelter

One of the most important things to do when a tornado hits is to find shelter. Underneath a sturdy table in a basement is the best place for shelter. Barring a basement, a small, interior room on the first floor of a building away is the second best place. Always stay away from glass, as this frequently shatters when a building is hit by a tornado, and you can be cut badly by broken glass.

Cars

A car is a very unsafe place to be when a tornado hits. If you are at a mall, shopping center, church or any other public place, do not return to your car. If you are driving during a tornado, drive perpendicularly from the path of the tornado. When the tornado gets close, look for a ditch, culvert or low bridge. Don't stay in your car. Get out of the car and lie down in the ditch or underneath the bridge.

Preparing

You should be prepared for a tornado before it hits. You won't want to scramble to put everything together the day a hurricane hits. Know where the safe places to take shelter are. Keep doors and windows in top condition to ensure they survive a tornado. Have emergency lighting ready in working condition for when the power goes out. Have a battery powered radio on-site so you can listen to announcements from the National Weather Service.

Plans

Have a plan in place at your place of business if you live in a place with a high rate of hurricanes. Employees should know what to do and where to go when a tornado touches down. Hold regular drills to get employees used to following safety procedures during hurricanes. Make sure everyone knows what to do when there is a tornado watch -- which means the possibility of a tornado -- and a tornado warning, which is issued after a tornado has touched down.

References

• Iowa State: Tornado Safety Rules
• National Severe Storms Laboratory: Nature's Most Violent Storms
• Specialty Graphic Imaging Association: Sample Tornado Preparedness Emergency Action Plan
• Tornado Project: Tornado Safety
• Red Cross: Tornado Safety Checklist