2. Are your buildings built with the possibility of an earthquake in mind?

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1 EARTHQUAKE Although New England does not have the high frequency of earthquakes of California or Japan, it has experienced its fair share of tremors. Something to consider is that the reason why most businesses had to close temporarily following California's Northridge earthquake was due to damaged building contents, not damaged buildings themselves. The following checklist is meant to help you identify the areas of your business that are most susceptible to the ravages of an earthquake and to suggest ways to minimize damage. While you may need to consider additional items for your particular situation, some items on this list may not apply to you. 1. Are you in an earthquake prone area? 2. Are your buildings built with the possibility of an earthquake in mind? 3. What is the most likely way building contents and/or equipment will be damaged? (Check all that apply.) Toppling Sliding Snapping Bending Differential settling 4. Will a disruption of electricity, public water, telephone, and alarm systems affect your business? 5. Are gas lines on or near your business subject to rupture? 6. Are sewer lines on or near your business subject to rupture?

2 7. Is your business susceptible to coastal flooding from tsunamis (seismic sea waves)? 8. Is there a dam upstream from your business, which may be breached? 9. How will you deal with the threat of fire if the sprinkler system is impaired? Ready access to a viable garden hose Distribute buckets of water around the area 10. Will you be able to provide emergency treatment for injured personnel? 11. Steps to take BEFORE an earthquake: Anchor tall bookcases and filing cabinets to the wall studs Brace heavily loaded racks or shelves Protect valuable or fragile items from tipping over or falling off shelving or pedestals Install latches on drawers and cabinet doors Use closed screw-eyes and wire to securely attached framed pictures and mirrors to walls Attach computers and small appliances to desks, tables, or countertops with Velcro or similar material Secure water heaters to the wall If allowed by your local building code, fit all gas appliances with flexible connections and/or a breakaway gas shut-off device, or have a main gas shut-off device installed. (Check with your local building department to see if a licensed professional must do this work.) Inform appropriate people on how to safely shut off your building's utilities

3 Attach safety cables to hanging fixtures and suspended ceilings Apply safety film to windows (min. 4 mils). You should also apply safety film to any doors that contain panes of glass. Conduct regularly scheduled training sessions and drills for employees (including training personnel to maintain as much fire protection as possible)? Store emergency tools, equipment and supplies (including spare parts) in a special location not likely to be damaged by an earthquake? Assure an adequate supply of fire extinguishers, since in the aftermath of an earthquake fires are commonplace and local fire departments are often called on to respond to multiple fires at the same time. 12. Examine the following to determine ability to withstand an earthquake: Building exterior ornamentation and appendages Parapets Suspended ceilings Light fixtures Raised floors Built-in partitions Sprinkler piping Piping with hazardous content Desk top computers and office equipment Breakable, spillable items on shelves File cabinets Tall shelving Free-standing movable partitions Tanks and containers of flammable liquids or gases Electrical transformers Switchgear Electrical panels Battery supplies Cable trays Heating/Ventilating/Air Conditioning equipment Boilers Chillers Fans Ductwork Hanging space heaters Water heaters 13. Steps to take WHEN an earthquake strikes:

4 If outdoors, get away from chimneys, signs, powerlines. Stay in the open. If indoors, stay away from windows, bookcases, and other top heavy furniture. If indoors, it is important not to panic and run outdoors during the shaking as bricks and other flying debris could be a greater hazard than that faced inside. Get under heavy tables, desks or stand in doorways where you can be protected from flying debris. 14. Steps to take AFTER an earthquake strikes: Check all utility lines for breaks inside your building. Broken gas and powerlines can be both a safety and fire hazard. If there are any problems, the main gas valve, electrical circuit, or water line should be shut off. Report the problem to authorities. Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Stay out of any damaged buildings and approach chimneys and other masonry structures with great caution. Be prepared to experience a number of aftershocks, some of which may be nearly the size of the initial earthquake. Move your operation out of the affected area if necessary and able to do so 15. Do you have a written emergency preparedness plan? 15a. If "Yes," does your plan include: Master list of the names, home addresses, and phone numbers of all employees? Plan to move your operation to a location out of the affected area? Location of main fuse box or circuit breaker panel? Location of main water shut off? Location of main gas shut off? Actions to take in response to an earthquake and the names of those responsible for taking the action?

5 Procedure for notifying employees? Procedure for assisting injured and accounting for all personnel? Salvage and clean-up operations and the names of those responsible for taking action? Procedure for restoring electrical services on an item-by-item basis, only after thorough checkout by competent persons? Procedure for relocating salvageable and undamaged stock and supplies? Procedure for removing combustible debris? 16. Have you checked your insurance for coverage against earthquakes? There are four phases to effective emergency planning: (1) identify and rank your risks, (2) take steps to reduce the damage, (3) respond to the emergency, and (4) recover from the emergency. Much can be done to minimize the effect of an earthquake. Preparedness is the key. For more information contact the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)