EM : Emergency Preparedness and Response

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Emergencies and Disasters and can strike anyone, anytime, and anywhere. You and your crew could be forced to evacuate when you least expect it, and we want you to be knowledgeable with emergency preparedness and response.

Workplace Emergencies

A workplace emergency is an unforeseen critical situation, which threatens your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts your operations; and/or causes physical or environmental damage.

Emergencies include the following:

• Floods
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Fires
• Toxic gas releases
• Chemical spills
• Radio logical accidents
• Explosions
• Civil disturbances
• Workplace violence resulting in bodily harm and trauma

Protecting Your Business

The best way is to prepare for an emergency before it happens. Most people can’t think logically in a time of crisis, so it is crucial to do so in advance when you have the time to be systematic.

Thoughtfully consider worst-case scenarios. What you would do if the worst happened? What if a fire broke out? Or a hurricane hit your building? Or a train carrying toxic waste derailed while passing your loading area? Once you’ve identified possible emergencies, consider how they could impact you and how you would respond.

Emergency Action Plans

Emergency action plans cover specific actions employers and workers must take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies. Establishing an emergency action plan is an excellent way to protect yourself, your workers, and your business during a crisis.

Your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Should Include

When developing your company’s emergency action plan, it’d be wise to consider a wide variety of potential emergencies that could occur in your establishment. Plans must be tailored to your work site and include information about all potential sources of emergencies. You should perform a hazard assessment to determine what physical and/or chemical hazards could cause an emergency. If you have more than one job site, each site needs to have its own an emergency action plan.

Emergency Action Plans must include:

• A preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies
• An evacuation policy and procedure
• Emergency escape procedures and route assignments, such as floor plans, workplace maps, and safe or refuge areas
• Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan
• Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations, operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down for every emergency alarm before evacuating
• Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them

You may also find it beneficial to include the following in your plan:

• The alternative communications site to be used in the event of a catastrophe
• A secure location to store copies of legal documents, accounting records, your employees’ emergency contacts, and other vital records

Alerting Employees

Your plan must include a method to alert employees, including disabled employees, to evacuate or take an alternate action, and how to report emergencies.

• Ensure alarms are recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate the work area
• Make an emergency communications system available, such as a public-address system, portable radio units, or other means to notify workers
• Specify that alarms must be able to be seen, heard, or otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace

Although not required by OSHA, you may want to consider the following:

• Using tactile devices to alert employees who would not otherwise be able to recognize an audible or visual alarm
• Providing an updated list of key personnel such as the plant manager or physician, to notify in the event of an emergency during off-duty hours

How to Develop Evacuation Policies & Procedures

A disorderly evacuation can result in injury, confusion, and property damage, which is why it’s important to determine the following:

• Conditions an evacuation would be necessary
• A clear chain of command
• Specific evacuation procedures, including routes and exits. To be posted where they are easily accessible to all crew members
• Procedures for assisting those with disabilities or who do not speak English
• A system for accounting for workers following an evacuation

When to Call for an Evacuation

In an emergency, local emergency personnel may require an evacuation. In some cases, they may advise you to shut off the water and/or utilities. If you have access to radio or TV, listen to broadcasts to stay informed and follow the official orders you receive.
In other events, a designated worker should be deemed responsible for making the call to evacuate or shut down operations. Protecting the safety of workers should be the first priority.

What is the role of safety coordinators during an emergency?

You may elect to select a responsible party to lead and coordinate your emergency plans and. It’s critical that all workers know who the safety coordinator is and understand their role during emergency situations.

The safety coordinator should be responsible for:

• Assessing the situation
• Supervising all safety and/or evacuation efforts
• Coordinating with emergency services
• Supervising the shutdown of operations when necessary

Employees elected to assist in emergency evacuations need to be trained in the site layout and its specific escape routes. These employees should be aware of employees with special needs who may need extra help and must know the hazardous areas to avoid during an emergency evacuation situation.

Establishing Evacuation Routes & Exits

To the best extent possible, ensure evacuation routes and emergency exits meet the following:

• Well-lit and clearly marked
• Wide enough to accommodate evacuating personnel
• Unobstructed and clear of debris
• Unlikely to expose workers to extra hazards

Ensure evacuation routes and exits are posted for all employees to see.

Accounting for Employees After Evacuation

Confusion can easily lead to rescue delays. To ensure accurate worker accountability, consider including these steps:

• Designate assembly areas where employees should gather upon evacuation
• Take a head count as quickly as possible after the evacuation. Identify and communicate the last know locations and names of anyone not accounted for

Planning for Rescue

All too often, untrained workers endanger themselves and those they are attempting to rescue. Due to this, it’s advisable to leave rescue work to those workers who are trained, equipped, and certified to conduct rescue operations.

Medical Assistance During Emergencies

If you don’t have a formal medical program, you should investigate ways to provide medical services. If medical accommodations are available near your jobsite, you can arrange for them to handle emergency cases for your business. Also, you must provide your employees with a formally written emergency medical procedure in order to minimize confusion during emergencies.
If a medical clinic isn’t located near your jobsite, then ensure that onsite personnel have adequate field training in first aid, and that appropriate supplies are available for emergency situations.
Always retain a copy of your emergency action plan in an appropriate location where employees easily can get to it or be sure to provide all employees with a copy.

Employee Training

For your plan to successful, you must educate your employees on the types of emergencies that could occur and then train them in the recommended course(s) of action. The size of your work site and crew member headcount, the materials handled, processes used, and the availability of emergency resources will all determine your training requirements. Ensure all your employees fully understand the elements within your emergency action plan, including the types of possible emergencies, alarm systems, reporting procedures, evacuation plans, and shutdown procedures. Cover any and all special hazards you may have onsite, such as toxic chemicals, flammable materials, water-reactive substances, or radioactive sources.

Training should address:

• Individual roles and responsibilities
• Threats, hazards, and protective actions
• Notification, warning, and communications procedures
• How to locate family members in an emergency
• Emergency response procedures
• Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures
• Location and use of common emergency equipment
• Emergency shutdown procedures

You should fully consider training your employees in first-aid procedures, including respiratory protection, including use of an escape-only respirator; protection against blood borne pathogens; and methods for preventing unauthorized access to the work site.
Upon reviewing your company’s EAP with your employees, it’s advisable to complete practice drills as often as needed to keep employees well-prepared, ready to act in the event of an emergency. Identify the strengths and opportunities within your plan and always work toward continuous improvement.

Employee Training Schedule

Consider requiring an annual refresher training plan. And offer training when you:

• First develop your plan
• Hire new workers
• Introduce new materials, equipment, or processes into the worksite that may affect evacuation routes
• Change the layout or design of the premises
• Revise or update your emergency protocols

Hazardous Substances

No matter what type of business you operate you could face an emergency involving hazardous materials. 

The primary source of the hazardous materials could be external, such as an oil truck that overturns on a nearby freeway, or the source may be within your site. Regardless, these potential events could have a real impact on your business and should be formally addressed.

If you store or use hazardous substances at your site, there’s an increased risk of a incidents, “employers who use hazardous chemicals to inventory them, keep the manufacturer-supplied Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for them in a place accessible to workers, label containers of these chemicals with their hazards, and train employees in ways to protect themselves against those hazards.” Be sure to start gathering MSDS for all applicable chemicals.

Special Equipment

• Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields
• Hard hats and safety shoes
• Proper respirators
• Chemical suits, gloves, hoods, and boots
• Special body protection for extreme environmental conditions
• Any other special equipment and/or warning devices necessary for hazards specific to your worksite

Choosing Appropriate PPE & Respirators

Consult a health and safety professional before purchasing any personal protective equipment. Respirators must be appropriate to the hazards in your workplace, must meet standards, and be certified as per standard requirement
.
While evacuating, respiratory protection is necessary if employees pass through toxic atmospheres of dust, mists, gases, or vapors, or through oxygen-deficient areas. All respirators used must be certified under the current standards.