Protection in case of Eartquake and Building Evacuation

DIRECTIONS FOR OUR PROTECTION IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE AND DIRECTIONS FOR BUILDING EVACUATION

Following the Directions in Greek, here are the same Directions address to our English-speaking customers:

How do I protect myself and my approximates when earthquake occurs

Please read the directions provided for the actions we must take in order to be prepared in case of an earthquake and also what we should do during and after the earthquake

Α. Earthquake

BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE

Greece is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Although earthquakes cannot be predicted, we can all be prepared by taking the following precautions:

• Remove heavy objects and generally objects that may cause injury when they fall from shelves located near desks and other workplaces
• Stabilize furniture, closets and generally any heavy object that can either injure you or block your exit from the room/building when falling
• Find a safe location in your placement, for example under your desk or any other steady and durable furniture, where you shall be able to protect yourself in the event of an earthquake
• Be informed of the escape route you will be able to follow in case an evacuation order is given, as well as of the master station to which you would head to
• Place items that have a stable stacking as low as possible on the warehouse shelves. When placing boxes on top of other boxes, ensure adequate support. It is recommended to secure them with packaging wrap.
• It is recommended to keep - in addition to the Fire Pit equipment - a backpack with survival equipment in the workplace (indicatively: radio, water, First Aid Lit, flashlight with batteries, blanket, whistle, dry food)
• It is recommended to the Company – Organization to set up a trained First Aid Team.

DURING THE EARTHQUAKE

Keep calm and follow the steps below:

• If you are inside a building, stay inside and don’t attempt to exit during the earthquake. Take cover under any steady nearby furniture nearby (e.g. table, desk etc.)
• If there is no furniture to protect yourself, move away from walls, windows, shelves, machinery. Stand in the middle of the room you are in, and take brace position (bent your knees and protect your head with your hands)
• If you are in an open space, move away from buildings, power poles and any other similar structure that may collapse. Avoid fallen cables, they may be under voltage.
• If you are in a car, move a safe location, away from trees, power poles and cables, the soonest possible. Stay in the car, it provides you shelter.
• Do not smoke, do not light matches and do not use any electrical appliances.

AFTER THE QUAKE

• If you are given an evacuation order, move towards the designated assembly station and with calm and order, following the evacuation instructions you have been given.
• I remain calm because I know that many victims occur while everybody’s trying to get out at once!
• Stay away from buildings, power poles and similar structures that may collapse. Be prepared for aftershocks. Remember that an aftershock, although usually weaker than the initial quake, can also cause serious damages to a structure already stressed by the main quake.
• Help any of your colleagues that have been injured. If the injury is serious, inform the First Aid Team accordingly. Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless you have the necessary knowledge, unless they are in an immediate danger.
• I avoid going through tunnels, bridges and overpasses!
• Report any damage to machinery, facilities, cables etc. to your superior or to the emergency team, as they may be sources of danger.
• I avoid going out on a balcony.
• I turn of the power and gas switches.
• I do not light matches of lighters in order to avoid the risk of ignition from leaked gas.
• If I smell gas, I open doors and windows.
• If there is a fire, if I can, I put it off, using the necessary type of fire extinguisher.
• I remember that after an earthquake it is possible for an aftershock to occur, equally destructive.
• I use my phone, land line or mobile, as less as I can, so that I will not contribute to the collapse of the telephone network.
• I notify the Authorities for building collapses and the existence of injured people.
• In case I know First Aid, I help the injured, or I find someone else who can help them.
• If there are seriously injured people, I do not move them until help arrives, unless their life is under serious danger from e.g. from a crumbling wall.
• I do not touch power lines or objects adjacent to them. I am at risk of electric shock!
• If I am trapped somewhere, I try to give signs of life, so that the rescue teams can locate me. A whistle is the ideal way!
• I watch the Media and I pay attention to the instructions given to the population
• avoid entering the building, especially if there are damages, until I take permission form the people in charge.

Β. Evacuation of Facilities

1. In an event of an earthquake and as long as the shaking lasts, please remain in place and follow the relative safety instructions you have been given. Remain calm, don’t panic and make sure your colleagues remain calm as well. Remember: Panic is contagious.
2. Once the shake has stopped, if you are at your workstation, gather your utmost necessary personal belongings and be prepared for evacuating the area. If you are far from your workstation, do not move towards it, stay where you are instead and be ready for evacuation.
3. If you are given an order to evacuate, either through audible signal or by the person in charge of evacuating the area you are in, you shall have to to move immediately to the predetermined master stations, according to your workstation location. If you are far from your workstation and it is difficult for you to arrive at the predetermined assembly area, follow your colleagues and inform accordingly the person in charge of the evacuation of the area you are in.
4. During the evacuation, follow the Κατά την εκκένωση, follow the below directions:
   • People of Each floor shall evacuate according to the designated exit.
   • The people in charge announce the evacuation
   • The people responsible of each floor, (members of the fire protection team) check all the areas of the floor before they leave (kitchen, bathrooms, restrooms, storage rooms)
5. If you are found in a remote area, far from your colleagues, do not wait for an evacuation order but move immediately towards the predetermined assembly station.
6. Κατά την εκκένωση οι εργαζόμενοι θα πρέπει να οδηγήσουν τους επισκέπτες-πελάτες που βρίσκονται στο χώρο εργασίας τους, να κινηθούν προς τους σταθμούς συγκέντρωσης.
7. During the evacuation the employees should guide any visitors – customers found in their workplace, to move towards the assembly stations.
8. During evacuating the facilities, it is prohibited to use elevators, only stairwells are used.
9. In case you cannot exit from the area you are in, do not panic; call for help by shouting, knocking at the exit, or by using any other appropriate way. The evacuation team will locate you and free you.
10. Evacuate the facility without running. Keep calm and help maintain a climate of calm around you. During the evacuation, help people with special needs and generally colleagues or visitors in need.
11. At the predetermined assembly stations, a counting of the present people shall be made by the evacuation officers, in order to ensure that everyone is safe.
12. Under no circumstances should we leave the assembly stations, if we don’t receive the relative order from the evacuation officer of our workplace or our working facility.

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