Step 4: Address Needs Following an Emergency

A crisis in the workplace can have lasting effects on staff as well as operations. The response plan should include provisions to address the immediate and ongoing needs of the workers, as well as workplace operations.

Physical and psychological effects

The plan must specify what steps will be taken to ensure that all injured staff receive immediate first aid and follow-up medical care. This includes any physical rehabilitation that might be necessary as the result of injuries.

Traumatic events also have severe emotional and psychological effects on victims, as well as those who witness and/or are able to escape from a dangerous situation. Depression, fatigue, insomnia, fear, anger and stress are among the serious symptoms that workers may experience in both the short and long term.

Providing critical incident stress debriefing and post-trauma counseling services are essential parts of responding to a crisis. These services are often available through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). The union should be involved in the selection and monitoring of EAP providers and services to ensure that the provider is competent and confidentiality is strictly maintained.

Financial support and services

Emergencies that disrupt normal functions may result in financial and other hardships on workers. The plan should identify resources that are available to affected workers such as:

• continuation of health care and other benefits 
  
  
• workers compensation 
  
  
• social services that can provide food, shelter or other needs, or 
  
  
• federal aid if the area is declared a national disaster area.

Workplace operations

The plan should also consider how an emergency might interfere with and/or damage normal operations and equipment, and establish a process for recovery. If the workplace is badly damaged or destroyed, workers and other occupants may have to be re-located to a different area or building so that operations can continue. Equipment, such as emergency generators, may have to be brought in. Many records and documents are now stored electronically. Contingency plans should be developed for having backup systems to protect documents, computer files and other critical data.