Recently all AMS employees across the campus of warehouses participated in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill. As part of an extensive safety training program, covering a number of areas, AMS conducts earthquake drills twice a year.
Earthquake preparedness is an important part of staying safe in an emergency, and the ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ drill is an important part of preparedness. Experts have agreed on the best way, in most situations, to protect oneself during earthquake shaking, and these actions are reinforced by drills.
The ShakeOut instruction gives the reasoning behind Drop, Cover and Hold On: “The main point is to not try to move but instead to immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be. You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be the start of the big one. You should Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately!”
The information presented also includes things not to do that might tend to be instinctual, such as run outside, or actions that might be popular myths but false, such as stand in a doorway.
Earthquake safety training is part of AMS’ ongoing focus on safety, which is year-round and includes classes on appropriate safety regulations in warehouses. Within the past few months the company has conducted Hazmat training as well as OSHA-based safety training.
AMS uses the Department of Transportation (DOT) standards in conducting Hazmat training, with instruction in how to identify hazardous material and define it, respond and report. Even though it is unlikely AMS employees will encounter hazardous materials, emergency response training is conducted for the purpose of awareness.
The AMS Safety Committee has undertaken as well to train all employees on the standard of cleanliness and safety awareness that employees should have when working in the warehouse. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are being used as a foundation for this training.
The safety of employees is a priority at AMS. We encourage readers to visit the Great California ShakeOut website and learn what to do in the event of an earthquake!
