EM : EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN (EPARP)

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN (EPARP)

Emergencies such as fire or natural disasters create lot of damage and loss. It is important for the company to foresee such situation and be prepared. During an emergency confusion, anxiety, fear or similar emotions could add to the loss. 

It is requirement that every organization having an emergency plan in place for each workplace to assist workers and the public to respond to any emergency situation

Emergency Plan

All workplaces require:

• A method for reporting the emergency;
• A list of workers responsible in emergency situations and how to contact them;
• A plan for incident investigation and correction of the hazard;
• A list of phone numbers for emergency and support services (should be posted by telephones)

Workplaces may also require:

• A method for sounding the alarm;
• A description of potential emergencies;
• A map of the workplace that shows evacuation routes and head count location, as well as the location of emergency equipment, first aid station and fire extinguishers
• An evacuation, head count and rescue plan.

Purpose of EPARP:-

1. Save life and property.
2. Improve your preparedness & response, ensure you are familiar with the procedures in place.
3. Familiarize you with possible emergency scenarios and proper response.
4. Fulfill regulatory requirements for emergency response planning.

Types of Emergencies

1. Fire
2. Injury
3. Bomb threat
4. Natural disaster:- Earthquake, Flood, Cyclone
5. Political outrage
6. Terrorist attack
7. Medical
8. Personal Threat
9. Internal Emergency
10. Building Collapse

During Evacuation:-

1. DO NOT PANIC
2. Ask All personnel to calm down
3. Walk fast but DO NOT RUN
4. DO NOT enter premises once out for ANY REASON
5. Know your building’s Floor Plan and Exits Routes.
6. Know the location of the emergency response equipment
7. Do Not Use Elevators/Lift and Escalator
8. If you are SHELTERING IN PLACE, stay inside the building, within your work area, or any safe place
9. If applicable, make sure doors and windows are closed/locked
10. DO NOT carry any equipment or official record outside the organization. If you remove some official material deposit with Security before moving out of the premises.

After an Emergency

1. Wait for instructions from EPARP In charges
2. Up-to-date information concerning the status of the location and the emergency will be communicated through available sources.
3. Normal operations will resume as soon as possible following stabilization of the emergency.
    

   

   
   

   
   

Plan Testing

At the discretion of the supervisor, emergency plan rehearsals may be held. A rehearsal shall require:

• Notification of emergency services, all supervision and possibly prior notification of workers;
• A pre-determined all clear signal to allow rapid return to work; 
• An evaluation system to determine the effectiveness of the emergency plan. (This is usually only a stopwatch timing to determine evacuation time.).

Planning the Emergency Program

If the project is located within a plant which has an existing emergency and evacuation plan, the supervisor must learn it and establish only those procedures necessary to complement the plant system and ensure a complete Emergency Plan for the project site.

Guidelines for Preparing and Emergency Plan

All projects require an emergency plan. The magnitude and complexity of the plan depends on the size of the project/workplace. Required elements are:

1. A method for reporting the emergency. Generally, telephone is the most effective; however, an alternative should exist if the emergency disables the site phones.
2. A list of workers responsible in emergency situations and how to contact them. This should be plainly posted.
3. A plan for incident investigation and correction of hazard.
4. A list of phone numbers for emergency and support services. This should be posted by the telephone.
5. A method for sounding an alarm, such as an air horn or warning bell.
6. A description of potential emergencies. This is extremely important from an educational standpoint. Emergency preparedness is essentially based on anticipating all possible situations.
7. A map of the work place that shows evacuation routes, head count location, as well as location of emergency equipment, first aid station, fire extinguishers. This should be designed at the start of the job and posted where visible.
8. The manager’s routine for shut down of the job. This should be established to ensure that if a shutdown occurs, no potential hazard may be left. For example, ensuring that the power has been shut down before attempting an electrical contact rescue.
9. A system for communication, both internal and external. Two way radios, telephones or alarms should be available.
10. An evacuation, head count and rescue plan. Rescues should only be attempted by trained persons and only if they do not risk injury to themselves. Each supervisor should have a roll call system in place to ensure that all workers have been evacuated from the hazard area.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Emergency procedures should be established for collapses of structures, fire, explosions, critical injury, and toxic spill or release.

Slow response, lack of resources, or absence of trained personnel can lead to chaos in an emergency. To minimize losses, especially fatalities and injuries, personnel must know their responsibilities, know the procedures to follow, and be able to communicate in an emergency.

Follow these steps in developing the plan for emergency procedures.

1. List possible areas where emergencies such as fire, explosion, structural collapse, or chemical spills might occur.
2. For each type of hazard, identify the possible results – fatalities, injuries, structural or environmental damage.
3. Determine the required response, such as rescue, fire fighting, or evacuation. The response plan must include step-by-step procedures and control measures for each type of emergency.
4. Determine what resources, including rescue equipment and medical supplies, should be on hand to deal with specific emergencies.
5. Determine the training required for effective response to emergencies.

First Aid and Medical Service

First aid and medical services must meet the minimum requirements under the applicable regulations.

Employees must know :

• Where to find first aid stations. 
• How to identify qualified first aiders.
• The procedures for transporting injured workers.
• Who will provide first aid training and who has a valid first aid certificate.
• How to record injuries and illness