If an earthquake is coming,what are your recommendations for these hazards?

Question

A. Laboratory glassware and microscopes are stored on a high, open shelf.
B. Tall bookcases might topple over
C. The maintenance dude supervisor is the only person who knows how to shut off the gas, water, and electric lines.

Answer 1

I live in the earthquake prone Bay Area of CA.
1) High shelves with glassware should not be open. Request that they be closed in or covered with a sturdy material
2) Tall bookshelves should be anchored to the wall. Wall anchors for bookshelves and other furniture such as China Cabinets are readily available in hardware stores.
3) We have been instructed not to turn off the gas line because if there is no problem, it could take many days for the gas company to come back out and turn it on. If it ruptures, it will rupture during the quake and stay away from gas lines.
Post signs pointing to the water and electric shut off valves with the direction for off and on. Those can be turned off and on by any person.
During the earthquake itself, everyone needs to get under a table or desk. Possibly go to a doorway if there are not many people. Go outside after the quake has stopped the trmbling. Be careful of live electric wires outside.

Answer 2

The earthquake has little to do with it, those are all bad ideas anyway. Glassware should not be stored in high places to reduce the risk of getting a glass shower when it slips out of your hands taking it down. Top heavy shelving like the tall book case should be secured to a wall so you don't pull the whole thing over when you try to take something off the shelves, or if it gets bumped. And it's a bad idea to only have one person know how to shut off utilities in case there is a fire or a break in a line or something. Everyone who spends much time in the building should know how to do such basic things.

But if you know an Earthquake is coming, why would you be there anyway???

Answer 3

My recomendations for these hazards is to stay away from the glassware and the book cases. I might try to get the matience guy to try to turn off water gas electricity ect. but i would definitly try to keep my self safe by taking precautions.

Answer 4

Those are all workplace safety no no's Where is this environment? Is anyone in charge of safety? Do you ever have group meetings? There should be someone in your organization to address your concerns too. If nobody else, talk to your supervisor.

Answer 5

In an earthquake, you're supposed to run outside as fast as you can. I think this would pretty much solve all of that.

Answer 6

ur dead, there would be no time to really get the maintenance guy 2 come.

Answer 7

i guess you would die just try jump i guess K