Emergency Preparedness
In the event of an emergency the priority is to always ensure life safety. Once it is determined that life is not endangered then the next step is to stabilize the incident. It is imperative that companies have an emergency preparedness plan set in place (Emergency Response Plan, 2020). Having a set plan is the best way to prepare and respond to any emergency. The following is the emergency preparedness plan of my recent employer, it describes construction job site protocols.
Policy/Procedures
I expect all employees to be knowledgeable in the event of an emergency. Emergency procedures control loses of human and material resources. There are procedures and policies put in place for fall arrest, fire, collapse, toxic release, rescue procedures, shut down procedures, water rescue, weather, and lockdown.
Defining Responsibilities
Supervisors and work safety representatives are responsible for knowing what their emergency preparedness responsibilities entail and how to implement them in the event of an emergency. The responsibilities must define a clear chain of command.
Our safety coordinators are expected to understand and comply with emergency procedures. Safety coordinators are also responsible for educating workers, safety representatives and supervisors about emergency procedures. Emergency warden and coordinators are responsible for assisting all people in exiting a building in an event of an emergency.
Site superintendents and site safety representatives must have means of summoning outside assistance in an emergency and must notify all employees as to where these means of communication are located and how to operate them.
Important Phone Numbers
In my recent workplace we have a list of employee information, emergency contacts, medical information and next of kin. There are phone lists to local authorities in case they need to be contacted during an emergency. Emergency medical services require the following information before they arrive on-site. They require the site’s address and nature of the injured worker (if known, medications and other illnesses).
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
We have a site plan at every location that we work at. We post huge site plans for all on site to distinguish emergency exits. There are plans on every level of the building that are highly visable. We also have an office plan and muster point location which explains routes and fire extinguisher locations.
Hazard Identification/Risk Assessment
A hazard assessment must always be completed before work begins at any job site and they are also conducted weekly (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association, 2020).
Training and Drills
All employees have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers and first aid. We perform mandatory evacuation drills to ensure compliance with the policy. All on-site employees must have workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) training as per provincial legislation. Each employee must have a safety orientation by a site superintendent or site safety representative. The orientation reviews safety policies, the site’s muster point, and location of emergency supplies/facilities (first-aid kit, fire extinguishers, local hospitals, etc.).
Investigations
All employees are taught to cooperate with investigators during an incident. The investigators can include: a site safety representative, safety officer, workplace safety and health, the worker’s compensation board and local police or emergency services. Employees are taught not to speak to media unless directed.
Documentation
Documentation in the event of an emergency includes (depending on the nature of the emergency), photographs, witness statements, incident investigation reports, witness drawings, etc.
EMS Communication
Our most common emergency communication is three sharp blasts from an air horn. When the blasts are heard all workers must proceed to the site’s muster point in a calm and organized manner. The blasts will be repeated regularly to ensure all workers have heard it. The blasts indicate that there is an emergency on-site and you must proceed to the muster point immediately (U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2001).
We are always in contact with local authorities to advise where we are working and if we have any high-risk activities on site, including cranes and working at heights.
Head Counts and Visitors
It is important to know how many personnel you have on any given job site. Sign in and out sheets are used in conjunction with communication devices to ensure that everyone is
informed about the number of workers who are present and what their location is.
Equipment
All our employees must know where equipment is. This includes fire extinguishers, lighting, first aid kits, air horns, ladders, food, water, shelter, radios, and sanitation supplies.
References
Emergency Response Plan. (2020, April 7). Retrieved April 21, 2020, from
https://www.ready.gov/business/implementation/emergency
Infrastructure Health & Safety Association. (2020). Emergency Preparedness. Retrieved April
21, 2020, from https://www.ihsa.ca/resources/emergency_preparedness.aspx
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2001). How to plan for
workplace emergencies and evacuations. Washington, D.C.
