Vol 22 / October 2026
SAFETYMATTERS safety and loss control resource
Emergency Exits & Evacuation Routes / Earthquake Preparedness / The Ergonomic Edge / RIVCO REPLAY – Seizure Response
EMERGENCY EXITS AND EVACUATION ROUTES
Key Regulatory Requirements:
Employee Accounting: Procedures
Emergency exit routes must provide a continuous, unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a safe outside area, as regulated by the California's Occupational Safety and Health Administration The Required (Cal/OSHA). Emergency Response Plan clearly details the overall evacuation structure. Written Emergency Response Plan: Required for workplaces with 10 or more employees (and accessible to staff onsite). Exit Routes: Must designate clear, unobstructed primary, secondary exit routes and emergency escape procedures, including exit route assignments.
toaccountfor allstaffmembers once anevacuationiscomplete. Alarm Systems: A reliable, distinct employee alarm system to notify workersofanemergency. Training: Designating and training personnel
to
assist
in
safe
evacuations and reviewing plan responsibilities with workers upon initialassignment.
Safety Matters Newsletter | Emergency Exits and Evacuation Routes |
Exit Route Assignments: Where Do I Go? There are various ways to quickly identify evacuation routes. While the Emergency Response Plan is required to detail facility evacuation routes, the quickest method is to proactively review the posted facility evacuation map and to identify emergency exit signage which may contain pointed markings leading to egress routes and exit doors.
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to Keep In Mind THINGS Things TO KEEP IN MIND: Evacuation Maps You Are Here Marker: A distinct shape showing the exact spot where the viewer stands. Egress Routes and Exits: Remember that not all hallways and exit doors are considered egress. Building exits and egress routes are approved by the Fire Marshal’s Office before occupancy is allowed. This way, effective designated egress routes, which can handle the required occupancy load in the event of an evacuation, are identified. Safety Equipment: Locations of fire extinguishers, pull stations, and first-aid kits.
Emergency Exit Signage
Assembly Points: Designated outdoor meeting
Arrows, or Lack There Of: An arrow at either side
spaces to account for everyone. Understanding
of the word “Exit” shows the direction of travel to
this location will allow staff to account for the safe
an egress path and corresponding exit door. If no
evacuation of employees and allow emergency
arrow exists, the path is straight ahead. If multiple
services to respond more effectively.
arrows exist, there’s more than one direction to take if needed. Illuminated or Not: Not all Exit signage is illuminated. For example, in older buildings a simple non-lit posting may be in place. That’s why it's important to pro-actively review the required Emergency Response Plan to become accustomed to the approved egress routes and emergency exit doors. Paths Must Remain Clear and Unobstructed: If you identify stored items or furnishings in egress paths or at egress doors which may tip over and obstruct clear egress, report this to your Supervisor or the Safety Loss Control Division immediately. The same goes for locks or badged access readers on approved emergency exit doors.
Safety Matters Newsletter | Emergency Exits and Evacuation Routes |
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OCTOBER |2026
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS THE GREAT SHAKEOUT The Great ShakeOut is an annual statewide earthquake preparedness drill designed to help organizations, families, and communities practice essential earthquake safety actions. During this coordinated exercise, participants rehearse the Drop, Cover, and Hold On technique, reinforcing what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. The drill strengthens readiness, improves response coordination, and builds confidence across all sectors. The ShakeOut is not a real-time emergency response it is a planned, controlled preparedness exercise designed to teach safe actions before an actual event occurs. The Great California ShakeOut occurs every year on the third Thursday in October. Thursday, October 15, 2026 10:15 AM
WHAT TO EXPECT At 10:15 AM, all staff and participants will practice the essentialearthquakesafetyactions:
• Drop– Getlow to preventfalling • Cover– Protectyour headand neck • HoldOn – Stay in placeuntilshakingstops These actions help prevent falls, protect the head and neck, and ensure individuals remain in place until the shakingstops.
REGISTER NOW! https://www.shakeout.org/register/
This link provides access to registration, drill resources, and statewide participation details.
After the drill, each department will complete a brief safety review to identify obstacles, hazards, and any follow-up actions. Departments should document assigned emergency roles, review responsibilities with staff before the drill, confirm staff understand their functions during an earthquake, identify gaps or training needs, and submit post-drillfeedback. These steps ensure clarity, consistency, and readiness acrosstheorganization.to
OCTOBER |2026
KEY PREPAREDNESS STEPS INCLUDE: Drop, Cover, and Hold On the recommended protective action during shaking Secure heavy items to prevent injuries Identify safe zones within homes and workplaces
Update water,
emergency first aid
kits with supplies,
flashlights, and communication tools Review communication plans with family, coworkers, or teams
Leadership will review all observations and recommendations to strengthen overall preparedness across the organization. Active participation during an event is essential, as your real-time response provides valuable insight into how well current procedures function under actual conditions. This engagement helps identify best
How you can contribute! By contributing your observations and demonstrating a committed response, you help build a clearer picture of operational strengths and gaps. This information supports leadership in making informed decisions, refining protocols, and enhancing the organization’s ability to respond safely and efficiently during future incidents. Staff may be asked to: Provide feedback Report safety concerns Participate in follow-up training
Review updated emergency procedures
practices, highlight what works effectively , and reveal opportunities for improvement that may not be visible during routine planning. .
Earthquake safety is essential because earthquakes strike without warning, and the actions taken in the first few seconds can significantly reduce injuries, protect lives, and minimize damage. Practicing protective behaviors like Drop, Cover, and Hold On builds muscle memory, ensuring people respond quickly and correctly when shaking begins. Preparedness also strengthens community resilience, improves emergency coordination, and reduces the impact on homes, workplaces, and critical.
THE ERGONOMICS GUIDE THE ERGONOMIC EDGE
Your workstation is the frame your whole workday hangs on. Work through each section below, adjust as you go, and check the boxes as you complete them.
Start With Your Chair — Because Everything Depends On It
Chair Height
Seat Depth & Back Support
Feet Fully Supported
Hips level with or slightly above your knees; thighs roughly parallel to the floor.
2–3 finger-widths between seat edge and knee backs; lumbar support fills your lower-back curve.
Both feet flat on the floor — use a footrest if they dangle after height adjustment.
Keyboard & Mouse — Stop Reaching, Stop Hunching 1
Elbow-Height Alignment Keyboard at elbow height, shoulders relaxed, elbows near 90°.
2
Keep It Close Keyboard near the desk's front edge — don't reach forward to type.
3
Wrist Position Wrists straight, not bent. A wrist rest helps between — not during — typing bursts.
Eye-Line & Support — Monitor, Mouse & Phone Monitor Height
Monitor Distance
Top of screen at or slightly below eye level; gaze falls on the upper third.
Square in front of you, an arm's length away (~50–70 cm).
Mouse Position
Phone Placement Non-dominant side; use headset/speaker for calls over a minute.
Same height as keyboard, close by — avoid sideways reaching.
The Ergonomic Edge • Page 1 of 2
Continued: workspace zones & recovery →
….continued Arrange Your Desk Like a Green-Zone Map Picture three zones radiating outward from your body. Keep frequent items close, and everything else follows.
Do This ✓ ✓ ✓
Keep most-used items within arm's reach to minimize leaning Return items to their zone after each use Keep the area under your desk fully clear
Finish Strong: Micro-Break Schedule
1
2
3
Every 20 Minutes Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds — resets eye focus (the 20-2020 rule).
Every 30 Minutes 30–60 second micro-break: stand, roll shoulders, stretch your neck, open your hands.
Every Hour Stand up and walk briefly. Even 2 minutes resets circulation and cuts fatigue.
Return to Neutral Posture Head Ears aligned above shoulders — not jutting toward the screen
Shoulders Relaxed and level; arms hanging naturally
Lower Back Natural inward curve, supported by lumbar support or a cushion
Print this newsletter and check each box off as you complete your audit — small adjustments, applied consistently, add up to a healthier workday. ☐ Chair adjusted
☐ Keyboard & wrists neutral ☐ Monitor at eye level ☐ Micro-breaks scheduled
The Ergonomics Guide • Page 2 of 2
☐ Zones organized
Seizure Response
Know what to do, what not to do, and when to call 911
RECOGNIZING A SEIZURE
DO NOT DO THESE THINGS:
Seizures do not always look the same. A person may: • Stare into space or appear confused. • Lose awareness or consciousness. • Fall to the ground. • Shake, jerk, or twitch. • Be unaware of what is happening around them.
• Do not hold the person down or try to stop their movements. • Do not put anything in their mouth. • Do not give mouth-to-mouth breaths during the seizure. • Do not give food or water until the person is fully alert.
DID YOU KNOW: About 1 in 10 people
in the United States may have a seizure in their lifetime.
STAY Stay calm and stay with the person.
SAFE Keep the person safe. Move nearby objects that could cause injury.
SIDE Turn the person on their side, keep their airway clear, loosen tight neck clothes, and protect their head.
TIME
Time the seizure. A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes requires emergency assistance. Call 9-1-1.
Why it matters: These actions can cause injury or choking and are not recommended seizure first aid.
CALL 911 WHEN...
• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. • Another seizure begins soon after the first. • The person has trouble breathing or waking up afterward. • The person is injured during the seizure. • The seizure happens in water. • It is the person's first known seizure. • The person has diabetes and loses consciousness. • The person is pregnant.
A LITTLE PREPARATION CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE Knowing basic seizure first aid can help coworkers, family members, and members of the public respond safely and confidently until the seizure ends or emergency help arrives.
LEARN MORE:
https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/firstaid-for-seizures/index.html.