In December 2021, an EF-3 tornado ripped through an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, killing six employees. To the chagrin of community members, the international online retailer didn’t have a storm shelter onsite for the 1.1 million square foot building and said it has no plans to build one in the future. Why won’t they build a shelter? Because they don’t have to. Surprisingly, state and federal regulations don’t require storm shelters or safe rooms. Unfortunately, many businesses deem tornado protection to be a cost-prohibitive luxury not covered by standard operating expenses. While corporations might be correct in their assessment of federal regulations, these pathos don’t resonate with ethics and common sense. Investing in an industrial tornado shelter engenders good will within the communities they serve while boosting employee morale. After all, would you want to work for a company that doesn’t value worker safety?
Superior Steel Protection for Diverse Weather Patterns
Tornadoes aren’t the only severe weather events threatening large-scale operations. Severe thunderstorms can pack quite the punch without descending a funnel cloud to finish the job. Many industrial facilities are made of sheet metal and make easy targets for frequent lightning strikes and direct wind gusts. Due to high operational costs, many manufacturers and warehouses might also forego adequate ventilation and climate control, potentially exposing workers to extreme working conditions. Torrential rainfall could also hamper working conditions for hybrid operations that require internal and external workflows, such as large scale agriculturalists, lumber yards, universities, amusement parks, auto repair shops, and shipyards. A community safe room from U.S. Hazmat Storage could accommodate employees for all chaotic weather events. While industrial facilities might cut down on operating costs by foregoing an industrial tornado shelter, they will pay for it down the road.
Intangible Incentives for an Industrial Tornado Shelter
Reputation and word-of-mouth referrals are the foundation of retaining old clientele and future recruitment. There’s also such a thing as “bad publicity.” More often than not, businesses make news headlines for all the wrong reasons. A reporter with a pen, pad, and camera is never too far behind an industrial fire or accident to document the fallout, exposing negligent safety practices to the entire community. Investing in steel protection for your workers protects what matters most. Pledging to invest in an industrial tornado shelter could also make your company eligible for future tax incentives as well as attracting the best and most capable talent in your field.
Emergency Preparedness Plan Could Save Lives Tomorrow
Developing a workplace emergency preparedness plan can mitigate severe weather risks. Project safety managers should identify critical employees and work in concert to address possible severe weather events and a resolute course of action. All personnel should be presented with the severe weather contingency plan and rehearsed accordingly as you would during a fire drill. Formulating and executing a well-drafted preparedness plan, under the aegis of management, ensures your workforce is ready for the worst. Critical personnel should also stay abreast of changing weather patterns and incorporate delineations into an actionable plan during team meetings. An accessible industrial tornado shelter would be a welcomed addition to a preparedness plan for any business and heavy industry. Having an onsite tornado shelter could also help reduce insurance rates while increasing facilities’ appraisal value.
A Resolute Steel Safeguard for Diverse Industries
Our industrial BoxSAFE TX tornado shelters were tested by the Wind Institute at Texas Texas University in strict accordance to FEMA 320, FEMA 361, and ICC-500 standards for wind-rated impact of 250-mph-ground-speed tornado events. Comprised of 1/4″ steel plates, our industrial tornado shelters are ideal for schools, churches, industrial sites, stadiums, malls, parks, and more. Furthermore, our shelters can be easily transported and strategically placed in any job setting without interrupting workflow operations. Don’t wait for storm clouds to cast a shadow of doom on your company’s reputation and profitability. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!