September is National Preparedness Month, and the Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) is reminding businesses to revisit their Emergency Action Plans.
RENO, Nev. (Sept. 24, 2025) — A thorough plan is crucial to keeping employees safe in a crisis. National Preparedness Safety Month is recognized each September. The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations’ Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) is reminding businesses to update their emergency action plans (EAPs) and ensure employees are trained.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), up to 40% of businesses affected by a natural disaster never reopen, and within one year, an additional 25% permanently close. Documented EAPs, as outlined in OSHA standard 1910.38, help facilitate employee actions during workplace emergencies like fires, evacuations and shelter-in-place situations. A plan that employees know how to implement reduces confusion, which streamlines emergency response, prevents injuries and reduces property damage.
“Emergencies can affect any businesses, no matter their size, location or industry,” said Bobby Albright, Training Supervisor at Nevada SCATS. “Having an emergency action plan is more than just an OSHA requirement—it’s a tool that keeps employees safe and businesses running.”
The recommended first step for businesses in updating their EAP is conducting a risk assessment, which helps identify specific emergency scenarios depending on a business’ location. In Nevada, preparation for flash floods, wildfires, thunderstorms and earthquakes is essential.
“Whether a business needs to update their plan, train their employees or are starting from scratch, SCATS’ on-site health and safety consultation experts are available, free of charge, to help,” said Albright.
Businesses can participate in nationwide exercises, like the Great Shake Out and FEMA’s National Level Exercise, to measure emergency preparedness. SCATS also offers free, confidential worksite safety consultation, education and training programs, tailored to businesses’ different needs. To learn more about requesting SCATS’ services, visit SCATSNV.org.
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Media Note: A SCATS expert is available for interviews. Interested media can contact Olive Giner, KPS3, olive.giner@kps3.com, 702-301-6031 for more information.
About Nevada SCATS
The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS), part of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations, provides free and confidential consultation and safety services to assist businesses in Nevada to be in compliance with OSHA standards. SCATS helps Nevada businesses keep their employees safe and offers on-site consultation services designed to help employers recognize and control potential safety and health hazards at their workplaces, improve their safety and health programs, and assist in training employees. SCATS also offers Workplace Safety and Health Training classes in Northern and Southern Nevada. Bilingual services are also available. Visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.
Funding Statement:
The Nevada On-Site Consultation program (SCATS), at the time of initial publication of this document (10/2024), is funded by a cooperative agreement for $1,025,411 federal funds, which constitutes 25.7% percent of the program budget. 0% percent, or $ 0.00 of the program budget, is financed through non-governmental sources.