Emergency Preparedness Healthcare Workers

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Session Objectives You will be able to: Identify workplace hazards that could cause an emergency Report emergencies promptly Carry out emergency responsibilities Evacuate quickly and safely Respond to emergency situations effectively

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc What You Need to Know Workplace hazards that could lead to an emergency How to report emergencies Emergency responsibilities Evacuation routes and procedures Response to fires and chemical/biohazard emergencies

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Are You Prepared? How would you react to a fire alarm? What would you do in a natural disaster such as a violent storm? Do you know your role if there were a serious chemical or biohazard incident? How would you respond to an act of violence?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc OSHA Requirements Evacuation and exit routes Alarm systems Protective measures Training Emergency action and fire prevention plans

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Types of Emergencies You Could Face Fires and explosions Chemical and biohazard incidents Natural disasters Violence

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Fire Hazards: Electrical Overloaded electrical systems Damaged wires and cords Damaged plugs Defective equipment

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Fire Hazards: Flammable Chemicals Don’t smoke around flammable chemicals Store flammables properly Dispense flammables properly Read MSDSs and labels

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Fire Hazards: Smoking And Housekeeping Smoke only in designated areas Make sure cigarettes and matches are completely extinguished Keep your work area clean and neat Properly dispose of fire hazards such as combustible trash

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Chemical Release Hazards Look for signs of chemical spills Report leaking containers immediately Don’t attempt a cleanup unless you are trained and equipped

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Biohazards Contagious diseases Infectious microorganisms in laboratories Foodborne illness Mold

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Natural Disaster Hazards Flooding Tornado Hurricane Earthquake

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Violence Hazards Workplace violence Civil disturbance Terrorist acts

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Hazard Identification Do you understand the information that has been presented so far?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Be Prepared to Respond Effectively to Emergencies Find out what you need to know now Prepare yourself to act correctly Participate in emergency drills Become familiar with emergency plans and coordinators Keep emergency exits clear

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Know How to Report an Emergency Location of alarm boxes How to activate them Who to call What to report

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Understand Emergency Responsibilities Handle only tasks you’ve been assigned and trained for Understand exactly what’s expected of you Carry out responsibilities only if you can do so safely

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Patient Evacuation Responsibilities Understand a patient’s condition before moving Know specific patient removal procedures Be able to locate assigned safe areas inside or outside the facility

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Know Your Evacuation Route(s) Have at least two escape routes from your work area Know where emergency exits are located in other parts of the facility Know where to go for roll call once safely outside

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Be Familiar with Evacuation Procedures Recognize the evacuation signal and listen for instructions Alert co-workers and patients Shut down equipment Go directly to the nearest safe exit

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Evacuation Procedures (cont.) Move quickly but calmly Follow directions from emergency response personnel Proceed to the assembly area Do not leave the area until instructed

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Notification and Evacuation Questions?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Respond Safely to Fires Remove yourself from danger Trigger the alarm Retrieve a fire extinguisher Call for additional help Continually evaluate the situation for the necessity to evacuate Don’t try to fight large, spreading fires yourself

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Fire Response: Extinguishing Systems Portable extinguisher Fire hose Fire suppression systems

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Fire Response: Extinguisher Types A—For combustibles such as trash, wood, or paper B—For flammable liquids or gases C—For electrical fires ABC—Multipurpose

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Fire Response: Extinguisher Use Pull the pin Aim at the base of the fire Squeeze the trigger Sweep back and forth

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Respond Safely to Chemical/Biohazards Evacuate the area Shut doors and windows Notify a supervisor or the emergency coordinator immediately Remove ignition sources (if safe to do so) Do not return to the area until instructed

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Key Points to Remember Fires, chemicals/biohazards, natural disasters, and violence can cause workplace emergencies Be sure you know evacuation routes, emergency procedures, and emergency responsibilities Ask if you have questions about emergency preparedness; don’t wait for a real emergency