Protection from tornadoes requires preparation Published May 21, 2009 By Steve Serrette 72nd ABW Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tornado season is here once again and it is time to take the necessary preparations and precautions to protect yourself, your family and your co-workers from potential life-threatening disaster. According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are the most violent atmospheric phenomenon on the planet. They are found in many parts of the world but they are most frequent in the United States. Across the United States, about 1,000 tornadoes touch down annually. This number accounts for between 88 and 92 percent of the tornadoes occurring on the planet. Most tornadoes last only a few minutes, but some have been known to last for more than an hour. Most tornadoes are weak, but the few strong ones account for the majority of tornado deaths. On average, tornadoes cause 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide each year. On May 3, 1999, a severe weather Supercell led to the spawning of 76 tornadoes. It all began in Oklahoma and ended in Wichita, Kan. Oklahoma was the hardest hit. Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year and most often strike between 3 and 9 p.m. and the fact of the matter is that Oklahoma ranks second in the nation in the number of tornadoes. In the southern states, peak tornado season is March through May. During a tornado warning, listen to the radio for weather updates. If a tornado approaches, know what to do. · Take cover immediately such as in a storm shelter and stay away from windows, corners, doors and outside walls. · Crouch on the floor near an interior wall or under a heavy object. · Bend over and place your arms on the back of your head and neck. · Go to a lower-level interior room, such as a closet, bathroom or interior hallway. · In a manufactured home? Move to a shelter or other more sturdy building. If this isn't possible, lie flat in a ditch or another low-lying area at a safe distance from the manufactured home. · If you are in a vehicle, exit the vehicle and lay flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. · At school, children should follow their teachers' directions and the school's tornado emergency plan. Every work building on Tinker has directions and procedures for employees showing the tornado shelters' location for that building. All employees should become familiar with their building's shelter location and supervisors need to educate personnel about emergency procedures during initial job safety education via the AF Form 55, Employee Safety and Health Record and using the tailored Job Safety Training Outline as a training guide. A written Emergency Action Plan in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 must also be posted in the work area.