EM : Emergency Preparedness Training Current and Continuous

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

Emergency Preparedness Training Current and Continuous

"All employers should develop a disaster recovery plan or review their existing plan, and educate managers and employees about it.

Review your emergency plan regularly so you can determine whether it needs to be revised or updated based on new facilities, new equipment, new procedures, new materials, etc. In addition, periodic training sessions give you the opportunity to remind and update your workforce about any changes to procedures or to their individual responsibilities in the event of an emergency. Drills and Training

It is recommended  that employers not only develop a written plan for emergencies but also schedule drills and exercises to ensure that employees are familiar with and thoroughly understand the outlined steps and procedures.

Specifically, the Department recommends that you:

• Incorporate preparedness training into orientation programs for new hires;  
• Establish an emergency management team and discuss each member’s responsibilities in an emergency situation;
• Conduct walk-through drills in which each member of the emergency management team performs the designated functions;
• Have all employees “evacuate” to a designated area and test controls put in place to account for them.

In addition, if your company shares office space, the Department notes the importance of coordinating and practicing your emergency plans with other occupants of your facility.

After conducting preparedness training and completing emergency drills, document your efforts and evaluate which procedures worked, which didn’t, and what you can do to improve your plan, according to the Department.

Employee Outreach

Here are a few other recommendations:

Make safety a priority. Obviously, you don’t want managers to send workers home every time there’s a hint of bad weather, but you do want to send a message to workers that the company cares about their safety.
Set up a procedure for determining when to send employees home early or to cancel shifts due to extreme weather.
Establish a way to communicate. numerous companies with Gulf Coast locations advertised employee hotlines so that employees could call in to report their well-being and to receive instructions.
Inform managers and employees of the services available through your employee assistance program (EAP). Your EAP may be able to offer counseling services or refer employees to a qualified professional.

EM : Prepared to Recover from a Workplace Disaster

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

Prepared to Recover from a Workplace Disaster

 

Large and small disasters happen all the time. Events ranging from purely local disasters, such as local flooding caused by a break in a local water main, smoke or fire damage caused by a fire in your workplace or a nearby place of business, or a region wide blizzard, hurricane, or earthquake all have the potential to put companies out of business at least for a short time.

When planning for disaster recovery it is important to realize that the seemingly large variety of possible disasters can actually be reduced to a manageable number. All disasters have common elements and can be grouped into one or more of three main categories:

• Loss of information
• Loss of access to facilities
• Loss of people

Recovery Time Periods

When planning for recovery from a disaster, it is important to accept the fact that doing "business-as-usual" will be suspended at the time of the disaster and for an unknown amount of time after the disaster.
Two basic time periods must be planned for following a disaster:

• First will be the immediate, disorganized, "limited (or no) operations" time span, which can extend for up to a week or more.
• Next will be a period of "makeshift operations," which can be quite lengthy and can last for several months until normal operations can be restored.

Establish Top Management Authority

Someone has to make some tough decisions early on in the disaster recovery process. One of the primary areas of weakness in the disaster recovery process is not having backup management with the authority to make some of these decisions.
Therefore, when planning for disaster recovery, it is vital to appoint a second in command (or better yet, a team) with full authority in case the person normally in charge is injured or unable to head the recovery effort.

Prioritize Operations

Daily operations will need to be prioritized. Many companies decide that all operations must be brought up at the same time because they are all important. Another way to prioritize is to consider how to minimize the time it will take to restore these vital functions:

• Accepting customer orders
• Purchasing supplies
• Receiving deliveries
• Producing products or services
• Delivering products or services

Based on these considerations, you can plan out how quickly it will be able to restart these operations, either in a backup mode or in a more normal way.

Assign the Disaster Team

It is important for management to assign responsibilities as part of the disaster recovery plan. This way, the plan can be implemented as soon as possible after a disaster. This means:

• Appointing people to take charge of the recovery process
• Appointing a seconds-in-command as backup to the primary team members
• Assigning specific tasks and responsibilities to other personnel

Other specific tasks for the disaster team might include:

• Promptly providing information for employees
• Contacting your most important customers
• Communicating with your board members and stockholders
• Notifying your suppliers where and when to deliver

When disaster occurs it is important for all employees to know their roles in the recovery process as quickly as possible. Taking 3 or 4 days just to assemble a disaster recovery team and then deciding how to assign responsibilities is just not acceptable for most companies, their employees, or their customers.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

As part of your emergency planning strategy, you should meet with your insurance provider to review your coverage. Make sure you know what is covered and what is not. Your property insurance should cover all your assets—your building, equipment, vehicles, raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.
Consider the need for business interruption coverage as well. Especially if you have only one location, you will not have a regular revenue stream coming in until you are back in production of the goods and services that are your company's life blood.

 

 

EM : Train Workers on What to Do in Weather Emergencies

www.safetygoodwe.com

Chapter:- Emergency Management

Train Employees on What to Do in Weather Emergencies

Topic: Workplace Safety

Weather emergencies and other natural disasters can strike any workplace, often with little warning. If you and your employees are not adequately prepared for these events, the potential for a catastrophe is heightened. On the other hand, when you’ve anticipated emergency needs and prepared your employees to deal effectively with the most difficult situations, the chances are excellent that you can prevent injuries and minimize property damage.

Furthermore, organization must have a written emergency plan to deal with emergency situations that affect the workplace, such as weather emergencies and other natural disasters. The emergency plan standard also requires you to train employees to understand your emergency plans and to follow required procedures. Your emergency plan should anticipate any weather emergencies and other natural disasters that could occur in your area.

Note that some of the weather emergencies or natural disasters discussed in the following material might not apply to your area of the country. You can delete any information that does not apply to your employees and your workplace—or you might decide to leave it in and discuss it briefly. Today, so many people travel all over the country on vacations and for holiday visits that they might well find themselves in a situation where they have to deal with a weather emergency or natural disaster that they wouldn’t face at home.

Training Requirements

Your weather emergencies training program should contain these elements:

• Hazards of weather emergencies and other natural disasters
  
• Highlights of your organization’s emergency plan
• Workplace evacuation procedures
• Family emergency plans and disaster supply kits
• Preparation for different types of weather emergencies and other natural disasters that may occur in your area
• Safety precautions to be taken during weather emergencies and natural disasters

When the training is complete, your employees should be able to:

• Recognize the hazards of weather emergencies and other natural disasters.
• Follow workplace emergency procedures.
• Develop a family emergency plan.
• Increase the chances of surviving emergencies and minimizing property damage.

Use this weather emergency preparation checklist as a handout for workers to take away at the end of the training session:

Be prepared for weather emergencies:

• Listen to weather reports on radio or TV.
• Watch means severe weather is possible.
• Warning means severe weather is almost here.
• Follow advice for protecting yourself and your property.
• Evacuate if advised to do so by public officials.

Be aware of weather emergency hazards:

• Falling trees, utility poles, and buildings
• Downed power lines—always assume the wires are live
• Gas leaks
• Flooding
• Lightning
• Ice, sleet, freezing rain, or drifting snow

Develop a home emergency plan:

• Prepare an emergency kit in case you lose power or cannot leave.
• Move to the safest part of the house.
• Bring in outdoor furniture, etc., if high wind or flood may occur.

Know and follow the workplace emergency plan:

• Respond to alarm signal or evacuation notice.
• Turn off equipment if possible.
• Perform any assigned emergency duties.
• Follow assigned evacuation route.
• Use assigned evacuation exit(s).
• Assemble in assigned meeting place.
• Notify your employer if you are unable to get to work.

EM : Train Workers Not to Shake When the Earth Quakes

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

Train Workers Not to Shake When the Earth Quakes

Topic: Workplace Safety

Earthquakes can occur at any time of year and happen suddenly, without much if any time for advance preparation, having and practicing a plan is key to helping your workers stay safe. To raise awareness,  Earthquake Preparedness and Response training to be provided.

Most earthquake-related injuries result from collapsing walls or floors, flying glass, and falling objects as a result of the ground shaking or people trying to move more than a few feet during the shaking.

In the workplace, the most significant hazards of earthquakes include the following:

• Being struck by structural components, furnishings, or inadequately secured stored materials;
• Burns resulting from building fires caused by gas leaks or electrical shorts; and
• Exposure to chemicals released from stored or process chemicals.

Train your workers to prepare for an earthquake in the workplace by:

Picking safe places, such as under a sturdy table or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or furniture that could fall. Designate several of these spaces throughout the workplace and instruct workers to move to the closest one available should an earthquake occur.

Practicing drop, cover, and hold-on procedures in each safe place: Drop under a sturdy desk or table, hold on to one leg of the table or desk, and protect your eyes by keeping your head down. Practice these procedures at least twice a year.

Educating them on your organization’s plan for the steps they should follow in the event of an earthquake. It should include the following precautions:

• Wait in a safe place until the shaking stops, check to see if you are injured, then check the people around you. Move carefully and watch out for things that have fallen or broken. Be ready for aftershocks.
• Be on the lookout for fires. Fire is the most common earthquake-related hazard due to broken gas lines, damaged electrical lines or appliances, and previously contained fires or sparks being released.
• Use the stairs if you must leave a building after the shaking stops, and look for falling debris.
• Stay outside if you’re outside during an earthquake. Move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and overhead lines. Crouch down and cover your head.

If your company is located in a particularly earthquake-prone area, you should conduct a detailed assessment of the hazards an earthquake could create and take preventive measures. For example, look for furniture or materials that could fall and strike workers or block their exit, consider whether an earthquake could lead to the release of any hazardous materials at your facility, and evaluate whether a sudden power outage would lead to hazardous conditions such as uncontrolled machinery.

EM : Plan Workplace Emergency - Disaster Strikes

www.safetygoodwe.com

Chapter:- Emergency Management

EM : Safer Office - To handle emergency

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

Safer Office - To handle emergency 

What if you knew that a 30-minute time investment could make an incredible impact on your business, your life, and your employees; lives?

1. Create an emergency kit. Use a lightweight duffle bag or a backpack to store key emergency essentials you can grab within minutes. Your safety kit should include:

• Water
• First aid kit
• Lighting: lantern, glow sticks, flashlights, crank lights
• Spare clothing in a bag
• Non-perishable food
• Crank-powered cell phone charger
• A file with a list of emergency numbers, recovery numbers, bank account numbers, checkbook numbers, insurance policy numbers, and any other important information.
• All prescriptions you need
• Crank-powered weather radio

2. Create an emergency contact list and establish a communication protocol for before the emergency, during the emergency, and after the emergency. According to a survey conducted on employees, many reported that their employer does not communicate safety plans regularly. Make sure all employees are aware in a timely manner of what to expect in a natural disaster or storm, and always test and discuss back-up plans.

3. Protect both physical and technological property of your business. Be sure to have the proper equipment to ready your office for a storm and ensure all crucial data is backed up.

4. Create an emergency social media account. Before an emergency strikes, make sure your social media accounts are following important officials and organizations. If you don't have access to television or radio, your social media accounts will be the best way to stay informed, helping you to make educated decisions.

5. Utilize existing tools to prepare your business and your employees in advance. You can go to organizations such as NSC, OHS etc. All have websites that are very beneficial. Their online tools, downloads, and representatives run you through various scenarios for protecting and recovering your personnel and financial records, equipment, inventory, etc. At the very least, do your research and get all of the contact information you need for the organizations that can help you, such as your insurance agent, your attorney, the Red Cross, your Internet provider, etc. Then put that in a safe place—in your phone, with a hard copy kept somewhere safe. That's just one less thing to do when something bad happens.

1.                                                                                      
2. Is a revolving, sliding, or overhead door prohibited from serving as a required exit door?             
3. When panic hardware is installed on a required exit door, will it allow the door to open by applying a force of 15 pounds or less in the direction of the exit traffic?                                         
4. Are doors on cold-storage rooms provided with inside release mechanisms that release the latches and open the doors even they are padlocked or otherwise locked on the outside?               
5. Where exit doors open directly onto a street, alley, or other area where vehicles may be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees from stepping directly into traffic?                                                                    
6. Do doors that swing both directions have viewing panels in each door if they are frequently used?

EM : MEANS OF EGRESS

Emergency Exit

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

MEANS OF EGRESS

Emergency Evacuation Drill Procedures:

• Employees are required to evacuate during emergency evacuation drills
• The primary functions of these drills are:
• Ensure fire protection equipment is operating properly
• Employee training on how to properly evacuate
• When the alarm sounds, employees are to safely and promptly evacuate the building using a designated evacuation route.
• Once outside the building, proceed to the emergency meeting site.

Discovering a Fire or Smoke at Work: 

Remember R.A.C.E.

• RELOCATE- If it is safe to do so, relocate people in immediate danger. Instruct others to report to their designated gathering areas. Be aware of persons who may need assistance.
• ALARM- Pull the building fire alarm to alert others. Move to a safe location. Call 108 immediately,and report the precise location of the fire
• CONFINE- Close all doors, windows and other openings to confine the fire, if this can be done safely.
• EVACUATE- Evacuate building. Do not use elevators. Go to your area of refuge outside at meeting site.

Fire Rated Stairwells:

• Materials storage is prohibited in all fire rated stairwells.
• Each fire door including frame and hardware must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing facility.
• Employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge.
• Fire doors are only allowed to be held open by magnet door holds.
• Remove all door wedges, latches, coat hangers, fire extinguishers, etc. that are being used to hold doors open.
• Fire doors must be able to close fully on their own.

Exit Route Capacity:

• The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches (2.3 m) high.
• An exit access must be at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points. Where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access.
• Objects that project into the exit route must not reduce the width of the exit route to less than the minimum width requirements for exit routes.

Emergency Exit doors :- An emergency exit in a building or other structure is a special exit used during emergencies such as fires. The combined use of regular and emergency exits allows for faster evacuation, and emergency exits provide alternative means of evacuation if regular exits are inaccessible.

1. Are doors required to serve as exits designed and constructed so that the way of exit travel is obvious and direct?                                                                               
2. Are windows that could be mistaken for exit doors made inaccessible by barriers railing?           
3. Are exit doors able to open from the direction of exit travel without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort? 

EM : Emergency Action Plan Checklist

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Chapter:- Emergency Management

Emergency Action Plan Checklist

General Issues

Does your emergency action plan:

• Consider all potential natural or man-made emergencies that could disrupt your workplace?
• Consider all potential internal sources of emergencies that could disrupt your workplace?
• Consider the impact of these internal and external emergencies on the workplace’s operations and is the response tailored to the workplace?
• Contain a list of key personnel with contact information as well as contact information for local emergency responders, agencies and contractors?
• Contain the names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals to contact for additional information or an explanation of duties and responsibilities under the plan?
• Address how rescue operations will be performed?
• Address how medical assistance will be provided?
• Identify how or where personal information on employees can be obtained in an emergency?

Evacuation Policy and Procedure

Does your emergency action plan:

• Identify the conditions under which an evacuation would be necessary?
• Identify a clear chain of command and designate a person authorized to order an evacuation or shutdown of operations?
• Address the types of actions expected of different employees for the various types of potential emergencies?
• Designate who, if anyone, will stay to shut down critical operations during an evacuation?
• Outline specific evacuation routes and exits and are these posted in the workplace where they are easily accessible to all employees?
• Address procedures for assisting people during evacuations, particularly those with disabilities or who do not speak English?
• Identify one or more assembly areas (as necessary for different types of emergencies) where employees will gather and a method for accounting for all employees?
• Address how visitors will be assisted in evacuation and accounted for?

Reporting Emergencies and Alerting Employees in an Emergency

Does your emergency action plan:

• Identify a preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies?
• Describe the method to be used to alert employees, including disabled workers, to evacuate or take other action?

Employee Training and Drills

Does your emergency action plan:

• Identify how and when employees will be trained so that they understand the types of emergencies that may occur, their responsibilities and actions as outlined in the plan?
• Address how and when retraining will be conducted?
• Address if and how often drills will be conducted?

Train, Train, Train!

OSHA says that training in emergency procedures should be provided for all employees, including during orientation for new employees. Employees should be retrained:

• When your plan changes due to a change in the layout or design of the facility
• When new equipment, hazardous materials, or processes are introduced that affect evacuation routes
• When new types of hazards are introduced that require special actions

General training for your employees should address:

• Individual roles and responsibilities
• Threats, hazards, and protective actions
• Notification, warning, and communications procedures
• Emergency response procedures
• Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures
• Location and use of common emergency equipment
• Emergency shutdown procedures

You may also need to provide additional training to some employees (i.e. first-aid procedures, portable fire extinguisher use, etc.) depending on the responsibilities allocated employees in your plan.

Prepare Now, Recover Quicker

Among the emergencies your workplace emergency action plan must address are extreme weather events. These events run the gamut from hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, major rain and snowstorms, extended droughts leading to fire—the list is quite lengthy. Although each event has its own specific way of impacting your facility, the end result is very similar; your operations are severely impacted for some length of time, maybe even permanently.

Given the unpredictable and ferocious nature of weather, no one can fully predict or prepare for what may be in store, but you can prepare considerably so you’re ready to effectively manage smaller extreme weather events and reasonably, and safely, handle larger events.

The real trick is sitting down ahead of time and developing an effective strategy to deal with the potential risks and exposures that could impact your organization. It requires effort, but if you are strategic, you can develop an emergency preparedness plan for extreme weather events that will weather the storm.

EM : EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN (EPARP)

www.safetygoodwe.com

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

EM : Emergency Preparedness and Response

www.safetygoodwe.com

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
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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.