Work Kit

Clark Kent was a reporter.  Bruce Wayne was a corporate businessman.  Wonder Woman was an ambassador.  But they never counted on villains politely waiting until after work hours before trying to take over the world.

And neither should you.

Whether you work in the classic corner office, lay claim only to a locker, or just shove your bag into a crew room somewhere--it doesn't matter.  You can plan to take on an emergency just the same.

You just need to make your own version of Batman's utility belt and create a mini-me Bat Cave.

You need a Work Kit.

First, once again sit down and go through the six areas we've talked about in previous posts--but this time, consider the areas centered from your workplace.  After all, this kit is for emergencies that might happen while you are at work.  So do some serious thinking about your workplace.  You need to know at least the following:

*What kinds of hazards or dangers are already present in my workplace--before anything new happens?

*What possible assists to me are already present present?  (Think of tools, supplies, skilled personnel, etc.)

*Are there any workplace emergency plans already in place?  Are they current and competent?

*Am I going to stay at work for the duration of an emergency or will I leave to go home?  (For some jobs, staying is a requirement--so know your job's requirements and plan accordingly!)

*Do I have any duties or responsibilities to perform in my workplace in the event of an emergency?

*How many other people are here regularly--any maintenance or supply delivery workers, fellow employees, customers?  Will I be facing an emergency with any of these or just by myself?  Are there any non-humans regularly present? 

Remember, every workplace has rules--so check them out carefully.  Getting fired for bringing in a pocket knife is silly--especially when there are other non-knife edged options available to you.  Use your brain.  This is where all the encouragement for you to be thinking according to need and not by item comes back in.   Think:  I need to be able to cut things in an emergency.  Not:  I need a knife.  After all, EMT shears, heavy duty scissors, box cutters, multi-tools, even pop top food cans, etc. all allow you to cut things, too.  So if your workplace doesn't allow one thing, don't freak out--just pick something else.  And don't forget local, state and federal rules, either.  Breaking those can get you a lot more than just fired!

Now, before you begin gathering your Work Kit's items, you need to think first about its mini-me Bat Cave.  Some workplaces have lockable spots or at least designated 'personal' spaces--some only have general employee rooms.  Theft may be something you need to counter--so either only put items you can stand possibly being lifted or store your kit in some kind of 'distraction safe' to increase the odds you'll keep your stuff. 

Distraction safes are simply containers designed to look like one thing, while actually being another.  They come in all sizes and you can make them yourself--check out Instructables in my Cool Sites to Check Out.  A hardback book just doesn't get the kind of curiosity an unwatched purse does.  Just don't forget, the size of the place you can store your Work Kit, will determine the size of the kit, itself. 

Just whatever you pick, if your kit can't be locked away, don't store it in anything that just screams 'steal me'.  No purses, no briefcases, no laptop bags.  Duffles are okay in some places.  Regular boxes, totes, tins (a fruitcake tin could probably hold gold and be safe), postal shipping boxes (sealed and addressed to yourself), etc., are all possible ideas.  If you need distraction safes:  books, fake plant pots (put the kit inside and arrange the plant on top to look like it is potted), Kleenex boxes, shaving cream or foot fungal cream containers, diaper boxes, feminine hygiene boxes (even better than a fruitcake tin for warding off curiosity), or anything else your clever mind and careful crafting can build.  You're not storing illegal or rule-breaking stuff at work--again, that would be stupid--you're just trying to improve the chances that when you need your kit, it's actually where you left it.

So don't get into it where other eyeballs can see you doing it--and only when you're updating or rotating items or when there is an actual emergency.  Using up your stuff or forgetting to put it back is bad--having someone else take it, isn't any better.

Okay, so now begin choosing items based on your workplace, the six areas you've considered, and your answers to the questions above.   If you find yourself stumped, think of filling the following categories:

*Safety--both things to stay safe in the workplace and to get out of it safely
*Medical and Hygiene--injuries, medical conditions, and sanitation concerns
*Light and Warmth--personal and area lighting, non-hazardous heat sources or retention items
*Needed Tools--to get out of the workplace as well as to successfully deal with stuff in it
*Food and Water--sealed, long-lasting food and water
*Entertainment and Comfort--things to do, snacks

Remember, you may not have the luxury of electrical power--this means lights may be out, elevators not working, the heat off, restrooms not functioning or backed up, piped water not running or contaminated, ventilation systems off, electrical tools unable to be used, even automatic emergency doors unintentionally locked or unlocked.  You might have a heavily damaged workplace--which means debris (large impact risks or respiratory hazards), gas shutoff needs, chemical spills, injuries, blocked or risky passageways, structural failures, etc.

Protect your eyes, breathing, hands, head and feet with special care.

Always remember to rotate, update, or change your Work Kit as items come up for expiration or your skills or needs change.

Hopefully, you'll have your EDC Kit on you and your Car Kit in your vehicle just outside.  But don't rely on having either of them when you plan your Work Kit--you could have forgotten to bring your EDC with you that morning, or your car could now be a super compact beneath a parking garage collapse.  Build your Work Kit as a stand-alone and then any other kit you end up having access to, will simply be added happiness.

So take the time to plan this kit out--do your research, get any training, and practice anything that will give you an edge in any emergency.  Don't just slide through this, hoping someone else will cover your backside.  You are responsible for yourself.  And you need to actually be able to trust yourself.  Always keep in mind that you might be the only one at your workplace who has taken any training or prepared any supplies for an emergency.  In fact, you might seriously want to plan for it--or rather, around it.  Which means either getting management and fellow employees to take professional training and put in proper emergency plans and supplies, or realizing that you might find yourself either unofficially in charge or unfortunately even in possible conflict with others in an emergency. 

So plan carefully.

Just think:  What Would Batman Do?

And get to work building your Work Kit.