Notification of an Earthquake
The office will receive minimal, if any, advance notice of an earthquake.
Some countries have an alert system for tsunami’s and up to 1 minute warning of an earthquake. Ensure this is accessible within the office.
In an earthquake, the most senior person present in the office will:
1. Check both yourself and others in the office for injuries and call the appropriate emergency service, if this is required;
Emergency Numbers
Location of nearest hospital:
2. Assess any damage to the building and determine whether it is safe to evacuate. Evacuation should be to a clear and open external space or to the nearest evacuation point. Staff should be instructed to look out for hazards such as ruptured gas pipes, falling debris etc.
Nearest evacuation point:
3. If it is safe to do so, take the grab bag when evacuating.
Location of grab bag:
4. If it is not possible or safe to evacuate the building, the most senior person will:
 Instruct staff to take shelter in a place of relative safety (eg, under a table, doorway or other strong construction which is away from windows) and to cover their heads (with a bag or file etc).
 If possible, switch off electricity and water mains unless these have been damaged and present a hazard.
Pre-identified areas of shelter in office:
Location of key services:
Electricity mains
Water mains
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5. Once out of immediate danger, establish that staff working outside the office or are travelling to/from the office are safe.
If phones are not be working, staff should use whatever means of communication possible eg, email, Red Cross, local authorities etc to make contact with each other, the Editor or London to advise they are safe.
Staff contact numbers:
Name
Name
Name
[primary contact number] [home phone number] [next of kin number]
[primary contact number] [home phone number] [next of kin number]
[primary contact number] [home phone number] [next of kin number]
Pre-identified number staff will call to advise that they are safe:
6. Notify and take further instruction from London Managers and/or the High Risk team.
London contact numbers:
Safety Advice Live
Bush Duty Operations
Manager:
7.
+44 370 411 0464 or internally x0464
+44 20 755 71200/ 0271200 (24/7 number) or
+ 44 780 959 7963
Take ongoing advice and instruction from the emergency services.
Key contact details:
Telephone supplier (if not Telmex)
Insurance provider
Building Landlord/Management Company
Emergency Kit/Grab bag
[insert no]
[insert no]
[insert no]
Contents of the bag:
 A copy of this document
 A trauma kit
 A mobile phone, fully charged
 Torch or Light sticks
 Portable radio
 Spare batteries (for both torch and radio)
 Emergency space blankets
 Bottled water (replaced every six months)
 Water purification tablets
 Small collapsible shovel
 Wrench or other tools for use if shutting off utilities
 Food rations for at least 3 days
 Chocolate/sweets
 Personal items as required by staff members including medication, spare clothing and shoes.
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Potential Effects of a earthquake
Structural damage
The shaking caused by seismic waves can cause damage to buildings or cause buildings to collapse.

 Staircase may not be fully enclosed and has windows.
 Injuries may be sustained from flying debris/items in the office/internal windows.

Office windows which may be blown in.
Office is not located on the ground floor and immediate escape may not be possible.
Be aware of surroundings at all times and follow instructions from the emergency services.
 Consider moving to an internal area with fewer windows.
 Take shelter inside corners of rooms
(with walls that don’t face outside), under doorframes or under sturdy furniture.
 Ensure that all objects within the office are properly secured and strapped/bolted/affixed to walls and floors (eg, cupboards, filing cabinets, TVs).
 Ensure regular housekeeping is in place, including storage of loose objects in cabinets.
Always evacuate when told to do so by the emergency services.
Release of hazardous substances
Structural damage may lead to:
 the release of hazardous substances such as gas or sewerage; or
 the creation of other hazards such as the risk of electrocution


Pre-identify water, gas, electricity mains and consider shutting these down, if safe to do so;
Consider putting on additional clothing such as long trousers, gloves, sturdy shoes to avoid coming in contact with hazards.
 When evacuating and moving around, be aware of and stay away from ruptured gas pipes, petrol stations, leaks from factories, damaged container trucks, debris as it may include asbestos.
Lack of normal goods and services
Normal running of the city may be compromised including utilities, communications and availability of food/water.
 Ensure that grab bag is available and ready for use in an emergency.
 Ensure that all staff are aware of the evacuation point and that contact details are in the grab bag.
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General Advice to be provided to staff
Note: For local use only. You must seek advice from the High Risk team for deployments to areas of natural disaster. Contact +44 (0) 20755 70046 or 0270046
(internal).
 If you are caught in an earthquake in the office, take as few steps as possible to a safer area: DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
 If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building;
 Stay away from windows, cabinets, bookcases, shelving and lighting etc that could collapse or fall;
 Consider whether you have time to put on further clothing such as long trousers/shirt, sturdy boots and gloves;
 Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.
 If evacuating, use the stairs. Do not use the lift as this may get stuck and it will be difficult for the emergency services to get to you;
 Once in the open, stay there until any shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Stay away from other hazards such as trees and power lines;
 If you are driving, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.
Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
 If caught under debris, do not light a match or move dust about. Cover your mouth with clothing/handkerchief and tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust
 Be prepared for aftershocks;
 Check yourself for injuries and then help others, administering first aid if you are trained to do so. Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in danger;
 Do not re-enter the office until it has been given the all clear as walls or other parts of the building may collapse;
 Turn on your portable radio and your mobile phone for news and information;
 Know the location of local medical facilities/hospitals and how to alert the emergency services;
 If over-nighting in an affected area, no building is ideal but one storey buildings are the safest. Sleep near the exit and be ready to move quickly to a sturdy pillar or doorway.
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