by Shane Henson — October 16, 2013—According to the results of a recent survey commissioned by Cintas Corporation, most workplaces need to improve their approach to emergency preparedness. The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive among 2,019 adults ages 18 and older, finds that fewer than one in three (31%) of employed U.S. adults believe their workplace is proactive about emergency preparedness.
According to Cintas, a provider of highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America, since many employed adults spend the majority of their waking hours in the workplace, organizations need to be prepared to handle injuries, health emergencies, or inclement weather with both proactive and reactive solutions. However, the survey highlights a gaping hole in organizational preparedness.
The survey found:
- More than three-quarters (76%) say their workplace has not conducted emergency drills in preparation of weather-related disasters.
- Less than 20% (18%) indicate their workplace has provided training about medical emergencies such as diabetic attacks, strokes and choking.
- Only 43% say their workplace has an emergency response plan in place.
- Just 19% note that their workplace has asked employees to be part of an emergency response team.
The survey also found that although many workplaces have the proper reactive solutions in place, like first-aid cabinets, employee education and regular maintenance of items are lacking. The results reveal:
- 94% of employed U.S. adults indicate their workplace has a dedicated first-aid kit or cabinet on site, but 51% do not know where it is located.
- 58% of employees say their workplace’s first aid kit or cabinet is not kept stocked with necessary items.
“Working with a safety provider to establish emergency plans, conduct training, ensure correct placement of response tools, and ongoing maintenance of these items is essential,” said Jamie Samide, senior director of marketing at Cintas. “With these precautions, employees will be better suited to prevent emergencies from occurring, and better prepared to respond when an emergency unfortunately occurs.”
Services offered through Cintas’ First Aid and Safety division include blended training solutions to help businesses tailor a safety training program.
