The Whittier earthquake struck at 7:42 a.m. on a weekday, when most people were headed for or at work. If you’re a member of the workforce, chances are you spend between 20-40 hours of your week outside your home. Should an earthquake hit while at the office, how prepared would you be?

Most often we rely on supplies in the office emergency cabinets. However, there might not be enough medical goods to go around if lots of injuries occur after a disaster so it’s best to have your own emergency kit at your desk. The Red Cross  offers pointers on preparing a disaster kit and earthquake plan.

Do you own a small or home-based business? If you do, here’s a great resource for small business owners from Allbusiness.com . It covers everything from articles on risk management, protecting your business assets, to securing emergency loans. The Small Business Administration  website also features a section on disaster recovery and disaster business loans.

Do you have your finances in order? Do you carry adequate insurance? Have you made an inventory of your valuables? Bankrate.com  offers practical tips on how to be financially prepared for disaster.

Unlike other natural forces, earthquakes strike without warning. It pays to be ready anywhere, all the time.