Safety Tidbit 4.04 - Emergency Preparedness

Safety Tidbit 4.04 – Emergency Preparedness

 

Reference:       NFPA Fire Prevention Week

                        OSHA Emergency Preparedness and Response Webpage

As Hurricane Florence hits the Carolinas and Fire Prevention Week is less than a month away (October 7-13, 2018), I thought it a good time to reflect on what we can do at work to be better prepared for emergencies.

Putting together a comprehensive emergency action plan (EAP) involves conducting a hazard assessment to determine what, if any, physical or chemical hazards inside or from outside the workplaces could cause an emergency. The plan should describe how workers will respond to different types of emergencies. Ensure you consider specific worksite layouts, structural features, and emergency systems. If you have more than one worksite, each site should have an emergency action plan.

An EAP is intended to communicate and coordinate everyone’s actions (employer and worker) during workplace emergencies and is recommended for all employers. Well-developed emergency plans and proper training (i.e., so that workers understand their roles and responsibilities within the plan) will help you keep your workers healthy and prevent injuries and property damage during emergencies. A poorly prepared plan may lead to a disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury, illness, and/or property damage.

OSHA requires, at a minimum your Emergency Action Plan must include: 

•  A preferred method and/or procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies (29 CFR 1910.38(c)(1) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(5))

• Emergency escape procedures and route assignments, such as floor plans, workplace maps, and safe or refuge areas (29 CFR 1910.38(c)(2) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(1))

• Procedures to account for all workers after an evacuation, such as designating an assembly location (e.g., a safe/refuge area) (29 CFR 1910.38(b)(4) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(3))
• Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside the company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan (29 CFR 1910.38(c)(6) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(6))
• Procedures for workers 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 (29 CFR 1910.38(c)(3) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(2)); and
• Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them (29 CFR 1910.38(c)(5) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(4)).

Hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan
P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.