【Disaster Specialist Explains】Office Earthquake Preparedness｜“Workplace Readiness Prevents Injuries and Keeps Operations Alive”

Earthquakes that strike during working hours can injure employees, damage equipment, and halt critical operations. Offices must prepare differently from homes due to higher occupancy, electronics, and complex layouts. As a disaster specialist, I explain how offices can reduce risk and protect people before, during, and after an earthquake.

Table of Contents

■① Secure Office Furniture and Equipment in Advance
■② Train Employees on Immediate Response Actions
■③ Establish Clear Evacuation and Accountability Plans
■④ Prepare Emergency Supplies and Communication Tools
■⑤ Plan for Business Continuity and Recovery
■Summary

■① Secure Office Furniture and Equipment in Advance

Unsecured items are the main cause of workplace injuries:

Anchor shelves, cabinets, and filing units
Secure monitors, printers, and servers
Install latches on storage cabinets
Keep heavy items on lower shelves

Prevention before shaking is the most effective safety measure.

■② Train Employees on Immediate Response Actions

All staff should know:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On procedures
Safe spots away from windows and partitions
How to protect head and neck
Why running during shaking is dangerous

Training reduces panic and improves survival.

■③ Establish Clear Evacuation and Accountability Plans

After shaking stops:

Designate evacuation routes and assembly areas
Assign floor leaders or safety officers
Conduct headcounts at assembly points
Prepare for aftershocks during evacuation

Clear roles prevent confusion and delays.

■④ Prepare Emergency Supplies and Communication Tools

Offices should maintain:

First aid kits and flashlights
Emergency water and basic food
Battery-powered radios or backup power
Updated employee contact lists

Supplies support safety until external help arrives.

■⑤ Plan for Business Continuity and Recovery

Earthquake preparedness includes:

Data backups and server protection
Remote work contingency plans
Damage assessment procedures
Mental health support for employees

Resilient offices recover faster and protect livelihoods.

■Summary

Office earthquake preparedness saves lives and reduces disruption. Securing equipment, training employees, planning evacuations, and preparing supplies create safer workplaces. Prepared offices protect people first—and ensure faster recovery after disaster.