- This covers basic steps to handle emergencies in the workplace.
- These emergencies include accidental releases of toxic gases, chemical spills, fires, explosions, and bodily harm and trauma caused by workplace violence.
- Planning : The plan must include, as a minimum, the following elements ;
- Emergency Exit procedures
- Procedures to be followed by employees for critical plant operations (or shut down)
- Procedures to account for all employees after completion of emergency evacuation
- Rescue and medical duties
- Reporting of fires and other emergencies situations
- Accountable persons or departments to be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan.
- Emergency Response Teams: There may be one or several teams trained in the following areas, depending on the size of the plant.
- Shutdown procedures.
- Evacuation procedures.
- Trauma counseling.
- Use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
- Emergency rescue procedures.
- Use of various types of fire extinguishers.
- Fire fighting.
- Chemical spillage control procedures.
- First aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The duties of the Emergency Response Team Coordinator should include the following but not limited to :
- Directing all efforts in the area including evacuating personnel.
- Directing the shutdown of plant operations when necessary.
- Ensuring that outside emergency services such as medical aid and local fire departments are called in when necessary
3. Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs): All employees must be adequately protected in these situations. Some of the safety equipment that may be used includes:
- Whole body coverings chemical suits, gloves, hoods, and boots for body protection from chemicals.
- Body protection for abnormal environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures
- Safety Shoes
- Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields for eye protection.
4. Training: Training must be conducted initially, during induction and at least annually.
- Every employee needs to know details of the emergency action plan, including evacuation plans, alarm systems, reporting procedures for personnel, shutdown procedures, and types of potential emergencies.
- Drills should be held at random intervals, at least annually.
5. Medical Assistance :
- On-site trained in first aid, have medical personnel readily available for advice and consultation.
- There must be written emergency medical procedures.
- First aid supplies are available to the trained medical personnel.
- Emergency phone numbers are placed in easily accessible places.
- Ambulance services should be always available for any emergency.
6. General Requirements :
- Alarms must be there & they are audible or seen by all people in the plant and have an auxiliary power supply in the event electricity is affected.
- There must be assembly points where employees can gather in case of emergency.
- Emergency phone numbers should be posted on or near telephones.
- Key personnel list must be displayed in order of priority.
- It may be necessary to notify other key personnel such as the plant manager or physician during off-duty hours.
- Management must ensure that each employee knows emergency plan and what action is to be taken in that situation.
- Emergency communications equipments must be present for notifying employees of the emergency and for contacting local authorities such as fire department.
Reference: General Industry – Safety Manual