Tips for disaster planning on the job

(CNN) -- Terrorism succeeds in generating fear in part because of the uncertainty of targets, but experts agree that highly visible places are most at risk.

These include large cities, major international events, resorts, landmark buildings or large corporations.

Before the September 11 attacks, terrorist incidents in the United States have included bombings of the World Trade Center in New York, the U.S. Capitol in Washington and Mobil Oil Co. headquarters in New York, according to the Federal Emergency Managament Agency.

To prevent terrorist attacks and reassure their employees, businesses and government agencies across the country have tightened security measures and asked employees to be on the alert for any unusual behavior they see on the job.

FEMA offers the following tips for being prepared in the event of a terrorist attack at your place of work:

1. Review emergency evacuation procedures. Know where fire exits are.

2. Know where fire extinguishers are and how to use them.

3. Learn first aid. Contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross for more information. Keep a first aid kit and manual handy.

4. Keep a battery-operated portable radio and a flashlight on each floor you work on, with extra batteries for each.

5. Know where your company stores emergency supplies, including hard hats, safety glasses or flourescent tape to rope off dangerous areas.

6. Familiarize yourself with your company's emergency action plan. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says an action plan is the best way for a company to protect employees and the business.

OSHA recommends that employees should be trained in the following aspects of the company's plan:

• Individual roles and responsibilities

• Threats, hazards and protective actions

• Notification, warning and communications procedures

• Means for locating family members

• Emergency response procedures

• Evacuation, shelter and accountability procedures

• Location and use of common emergency equipment

• Emergency shutdown procedures