EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Page 1
SECTION 11 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CONSIDERATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS...3 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS POLICY Emergency Preparedness Policy - Sample...5 EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS FORM Emergency Phone Numbers - Form...7 EMERGENCY RESPONSE ORIENTATION FORM Emergency Response Orientation - Form...9 GENERIC RESCUE PROCEDURE Generic Fall Arrest Rescue Plan - Sample... 11-12 DEVELOPING RESCUE PROCEDURES Considerations for developing Confined Space Rescue Procedure... 14-15 Considerations for developing Trench Rescue Procedure... 16 Page 2
CONSIDERATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS This section deals with planning and response for emergency situations. The more hazardous the work, the more depth must be captured in emergency planning. If you work at heights or in trenches, your planning must outline your response to potential incidents. Regulations require a rescue procedure if you work in confined spaces. Your plan must go beyond the basics such as emergency phone numbers. A muster point or employee gathering area should be known, and an evacuation plan available. Page 3
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS POLICY Page 4
Emergency Policy The risk of an incident cannot be totally eliminated, therefore (Company name here) will take the following steps to help insure the proper reaction to any situation:! Provide initial emergency first aid training and refresher training, ensuring the appropriate number of first aid trained individuals at each work place at all times.! Ensure first aid trained personnel are known or their names are posted.! Provide transportation to a medical facility for injured persons.! Provide training on fire extinguishers and initial fire fighting.! Provide communications in the form of cell phone or radios.! Provide appropriate first aid kits and ensure that records are kept. Signed: Date: Page 5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS FORM Page 6
Emergency Phone Numbers Company Name: Date: Ambulance: Police: Fire Department: Municipal Water Department: Municipal Electrical Department: Occupational Health & Safety Inspector: Emergency Response Team Co-ordinator: Communication: Gate: First Aiders: Other Principal Contractor: Office phone number: Mechanical Contractor: Office phone number: Electrical Contractor: Office phone number: Home phone number: Home phone number: Home phone number: Page 7
EMERGENCY RESPONSE ORIENTATION FORM Page 8
Project/Shop Emergency Response Orientation Goal: To ensure workers and visitors at our site are aware of emergency response precautions and applicable parts of our program. At a minimum everyone will be aware of: First Aid Located at. First Aid Providers. Names Posted at. Emergency Communications. Emergency Contact(s) Fire Extinguisher(s) Located at. Evacuation Plan (Reference ). Other Emergencies (as applicable) Confined Space Rescue (Reference ). Fall Arrest Rescue (Reference ). Trench Rescue (Reference ). Individuals involved in any of these areas will be familiar with applicable policies and/or procedures. Orientation Provided By: Date: Person(s) Receiving Orientation: Page 9
GENERIC RESCUE PROCEDURE SAMPLE Page 10
Generic On Site Rescue for Personnel Suspended in their Fall Arrest System THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR SERIOUS MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS CAUSED BY CIRCULATORY PROBLEMS FROM HANGING IN THE HARNESS. INSURE THAT PARAMEDICS ARE ON SCENE BEFORE TAKING PRESSURE OFF SOMEONE SUSPENDED FOR AN EXTENDED TIME PERIOD. 1. Emergency Rescue. Company XXXXX has the following resources on site to initiate a successful emergency rescue of a worker that is suspended in their fall arrest system. It is estimated that response time will be 20 minutes. The following resources are on site: Sample Zoom boom as back up for height access, # Scissor Lift, # Crane with operator, # Trucks for transport, # Personnel for response, # Qualified first aid personnel, # Two way radios & cell phones, # 2. Immediate action to be taken for a worker having been arrested in his/her fall arrest system. a. The first worker to notice that another worker has fallen will immediately approach the individual and observe and/or ask if he/she has been injured. b. If they are injured or do not respond: Immediately initiate either the site emergency response or 911 & continue with step 3. c. If they are not injured continue with step 3. 3. For all falls which result in individuals being suspended in their fall arrest System: a. Summon all on site XXXXXXXXXX personnel b. The XXXXXXXXXXX foreman, Safety Representative or other competent employee will take charge c. Contact Site Superintendent d. Contact the XXXXXXXXXXX Construction Manager e. Contact XXXXXXXXXXX Manager Safety Systems f. Use the available lift, maneuver the platform under the suspended worker g. Assist the worker caught in his/her harness to maneuver to the lift platform. h. Insure injured worker is secure before disengaging them from their suspended fall arrest system. i. Initiate first aid procedures j. Lower lift platform to ground level k. Continue first aid until medical aid arrives l. Contact Dept. of Environment & Labour, Occupational Health & Safety Division, m. The incident scene in its entirety is to be quarantined.
Generic On Site Rescue for Personnel Suspended in their Fall Arrest System I have reviewed this rescue procedure with all members of my crew before starting job, and will ensure all new crew members participate in a review of this procedure before they start work: Job site # Company XXXXX - Foreman s Name: Print & Sign: Sample Date: Crew names: Print, Sign & Date
DEVELOPING RESCUE PROCEDURES Page 13
Confined Space Emergency Procedures When things go wrong, people may be exposed to serious and immediate danger. Effective arrangements for raising the alarm and carrying out rescue operations in an emergency are essential. Contingency plans will depend on the nature of the confined space, the risks identified and consequently the likely nature of an emergency rescue. Confined Space Rescue can be broken down into 2 categories: Non Entry Rescue - At a minimum, employers must have a plan and response capabilities for non entry rescue. The Attendant, communications (alert 911, EMS) and non entry retrieval equipment will form the backbone of this type of response plan. Entry Rescue - Entry rescue requires sophisticated training and response plans. Your response capabilities must reflect the level of risk/hazard associated with the task(s). The Department of Environment and Labour may assist you in determining the reasonable steps you should consider. Emergency arrangements will depend on the risks. Your procedure shall include: Communications How can an emergency be communicated from inside the confined space to people outside so that rescue procedures can start? Don t forget night and shift work, weekends and times when the premises are closed, eg holidays. Also, consider what might happen and how the alarm can be raised. The Confined Space Attendant must have communications tools at his/her disposal to contact emergency services i.e. cell phone, 2 way radio, land line. Rescue and resuscitation equipment Provision of suitable rescue and resuscitation equipment will depend on the likely emergencies identified. Where such equipment is provided for use by rescuers, training in correct operation is essential. Capabilities of rescuers There need to be properly trained people, sufficiently fit to carry out their task, ready at hand, and capable of using any equipment provided for rescue, eg winches, retrevial devices, breathing apparatus, lifelines and firefighting equipment. Rescuers also need to be protected against the cause of the emergency. Shut down It may be necessary to shut down adjacent plant before attempting emergency rescue. First-aid procedures Trained first aiders need to be available to make proper use of any necessary first-aid equipment provided. The Confined Space attendant must hold a valid current first aid training certificate. Page 14
Local emergency services How are the local emergency services (eg, fire department) made aware of an incident? What information about the particular dangers in the confined space is given to them on their arrival? If you are relying on the 911 service, what are the rescue capabilities in the work area. Urban centres often have response capabilities however this may not be true in smaller communities. It is wise to discuss response capabilities with the authority in advance of the work activity. Remember... a rescue procedure must be specific to the work environment and hazards associated with the entry. Page 15
Trench Rescue Emergency Procedures When things go wrong, people may be exposed to serious and immediate danger. Panic can lead to additional injuries or even multiple fatalities. Effective arrangements for raising the alarm and carrying out rescue operations in an emergency are essential. Step 1 - Don t Panic, try to remain cool. The competent person will take charge. Notify 911 or EMS. Notify Competent Person if not in immediate area. Considerations - Communications How does the crew communicate with the outside world in event of a problem. Don t forget night and shift work, weekends and times when the premises are closed, eg holidays. Also, consider what might happen and how the alarm can be raised. Step 2 - Assess the situation - Note exact time, note number and location of workers. Considerations - Approach the trench from short wall (end) not the long wall or collapsed area. You don t want to cause additional collapse. Step 3 - Get workers not trapped out of trench. Leave all tools in place. Tool location can assist in finding buried workers. Step 4 - Shut down all equipment and stop any nearby traffic that can cause vibration and aggravate the situation. Step 5 - Keep all personnel 50' away to prevent further cave in. Start pumps immediately if ground water is a consideration. Step 6 - Prepare for rescue personnel (EMS, fire dept, etc.) They will need to know: C C C C C C C C How deep is the trench? The type of soil? How much has collapsed? Number of People trapped? How much soil is covering victim? How long have they been trapped? Types of utilities involved (if any), are hazardous utilities damaged? Are conditions stable? - potential for additional collapse - potential for flooding - condition of surrounding soil Remember - A plan in a book is just paper. To work it must be communicated and practised. Ensure the proper tools, skills and training are on the job. Page 16