Final answer:
Companies should conduct emergency preparedness drills annually to ensure employees are well-versed in proper emergency response. These drills are part of OSHA's safety regulations, which also require companies to offer safety training and personal protective equipment to workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Companies should practice emergency preparedness drills at least annually to assure that employees know what to do in the event of an emergency. These drills are essential for ensuring employee safety and effective response in critical situations. Practices like these are part of a broader set of requirements that employers must follow to protect their workers. For example, under the OSHA guidelines, companies with more than 100 employees are required to provide written notice 60 days before plant closings or large layoffs. Also, workers should receive safety training in a language and vocabulary they can understand, which includes providing personal protective equipment at no cost and offering medical tests like hearing exams as required by OSHA standards.
Furthermore, employees should be familiar with the company's safety procedures, which often involve an orientation period during which new employees learn about company policies, practices, and culture as it relates to safety and emergency response. Regularly scheduled drills can help reinforce this knowledge and ensure that the workforce can act swiftly and correctly during real emergencies.