the fact that the explosion took place in an "adult entertainment center" is a little beside the major point - what can you carry very inconspicuously to enable you to function in a sudden emergency in the workplace?

I would agree that the contents of an Altoid tin won't work very well in such a situation. About the best one can do is well chosen EDC items distributed about the body. Depending upon the work environment, this might be very difficult (no wise comments about strip joints, please).

I usually carry a small briefcase/backpack that will augment my EDC very nicely - a couple of Clif bars, FAK, CPR kit, small jacket, etc. We experienced an earthquake a while ago in my office and an evacuation of the building was ordered. At that time, I was about 100 feet from my briefcase; I was fortunately able to retrieve my bag before venturing off into the great unknown. The lesson for me is that it is fine to have a bag with carefully selected goodies but it can easily come down to working with simply what you are carrying on your bod.... which may not be much more than cellphone, key ring, pen and notebook, and maybe a multi-tool or knife.