Disaster Planning

The following information will help you plan for a disaster before it occurs:

1. Emergency Planning Checklist - A comprehensive checklist to make sure everything is taken into consideration.
2. Disaster Preparedness Checklist - A 10-step disaster preparedness checklist.

Forms: All forms are found on TrustGDC's online management portal. To learn how your business can have access to these forms and many more for only $97 month click here.

Emergency Contact Information - Have your employees fill out this form so you know who to contact in case of an emergency.

Telecommuting Agreement - If they work from home.

Emergency Loan Agreement - If you plan to make any disaster loans.

3. Online Disaster Resources - Lists the best disaster resources on the internet.
4. Sample Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Plan - A great sample emergency plan to fill in the blanks by Ready.gov (PDF only).
5. Sample Employer Information Sheet - Addresses questions regarding company closings, failure to report to work, policy and procedures.
6. Fair Labor Standards Act Memo - On paying employees during a disaster.
7. Disaster Outline for Managing Employee Obligations During a Disaster - Addresses the legal issues and obligations employers face after hurricanes and other disasters.
8. MP3 - Listen to the audio file of the April 19, 2006 teleclass on "Managing Employee Obligations During Hurricanes and Other Disasters".
9. Earthquake Preparedness Resources
10. OSHA's Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work

Web Resources:

• Disaster Planning Center
• Emergency Response
• FEMA
• National Weather Service
• Keeping Workers Safe During Recovery Ops after Flood and Tornado from OSHA

Pandemic Influenza:

• Pandemic Influenza (Feb. 2009)
• The Wage and Hour Division has posted information on common issues when employees get the flu and its affect on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). For more information, see Pandemic Flu and the Fair Labor Standards Act: Questions and Answers and/or Pandemic Flu and the Family and Medical Leave Act: Questions and Answers.
• How to Protect Yourself in the Workplace during a Pandemic
  (OSHA Publication 3365) (English and Spanish) (May 2009).
• Protect Yourself - Pandemic Influenza: Respiratory Protection
  (OSHA Publication 3366) (English and Spanish) (May 2009)

Swine Flu Preparation:

There is much concern over how the Swine Flu will affect the US workplace this year. Savvy employers will prepare for the worse. Here is a list of excellent resources :

1. CDC Influenza Toolkit
2. www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/guidance.html
3. www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business
4. www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/pandemicflu/index.html
5. www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html
6. H1N1 Legal Implications