Govt Urges Workers to Prepare for 3-Day Office Stay After Quake Hits, Recommends Necessities to Carry Away from Home
When an earthquake hits, office workers are most likely to experience it at work, as they spend a majority of their day at the office.
The Japanese government is advising office workers to prepare for potentially staying at the workplace for up to three days following a major earthquake, especially in cases where public transportation is disrupted. In the event of an earthquake measuring 6 or higher on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, individuals can utilize the Disaster Emergency Message Dial at 171 to leave brief recorded messages confirming their safety.
It is crucial to have a family communication plan in place, which may involve using emergency messaging services. Upon confirming family safety, employees should focus on workplace disaster response. Companies should ensure they have sufficient supplies of food, water, wet wipes, dental cleaning sheets, and portable toilets available in the event of an extended stay at the office.
Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended in case employees must walk home. Commuters should also pack snacks, maps, portable toilets, and first-aid items like adhesive bandages when traveling to and from work. Municipalities provide information on temporary shelters for those affected by disasters while away from home, and employees should familiarize themselves with these locations.
At the workplace, employees should regularly inspect their surroundings for potential hazards, secure furniture to prevent it from falling, and review the company's disaster evacuation plan. In the case of an earthquake, employees should remain at their desks, duck under tables if necessary, and follow evacuation routes to designated on-site areas.
Public transportation may be unavailable after the earthquake, so employees should plan to return home on foot, being aware of any damage along their route and adhering to company guidelines for departure. It is important to rely on accurate information from reliable sources such as local governments during disasters, as false information can spread quickly on social media.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
