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Extreme Weather Events

Whether blizzards in the East, tornadoes in the Midwest or hurricanes in the South, weather events can oftentimes be extreme and unpredictable. However, an employer can still control how it prepares its employees and the workplace for such an event. Knowing how to respond to extreme inclement weather will help protect both the employer and its employees.

Employers are required by the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) to provide a safe and healthy workplace to their employees. It is therefore important for an employer to take precautionary measures that can be adapted for various weather events.

The following are key steps an employer can take to handle various workplace issues that may arise due to an extreme weather event.

1. Create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)