1. EMERGENCY/DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

2. Emergency defined:
“Any unplanned event that can cause death or injury to employees, customers or the public or that can shut down your business, disrupt operations or cause physical or environmental damage”

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I. Speaker’s Notes:
The best way to manage a natural disaster is to have a plan in place that can be implemented when an event occurs.
In an earthquake, seek protective cover (i.e., under a table or in a doorway). Once the earthquake has subsided, evacuate the building. Earthquakes may result in structural damage to the building, equipment, or chemical storage tanks. Shut off natural gas and electrical services. Do not re-enter the building until the “all-clear” signal has been given by the evacuation coordinator.
For flooding: Have flood shields or sandbags on hand. Board up windows. Raise machinery or stored goods off the ground or remove from a basement. Shut off gas and close valves to any tanks.
In a tornado or hurricane: Board up windows. Bring in loose items from outside or secure them. Inspect roof coverings to make sure they are secure. Have radios, flashlights, and other emergency items available. Take shelter.

7. Objectives Better understanding of potential workplace emergencies
How to recognize emergency situations
Steps to create and implement a written Emergency Preparedness plan

8. Why Prepare? Prevent injury or loss of life Prevent property loss
Save $$$ on insurance
Reduce liability exposure
Enhance your company’s image with employees and the public.
Comply with Federal statute

9. OSHA requirements: General Duty Clause -
“Each employer shall provide each employee, employment and a place of employment that is free from any recognized hazard that is causing or likely to cause death or physical harm”

10. 4 Major Types of Emergencies:
Weather Emergencies
Non-weather Emergencies
Fires
Medical

11. Weather Emergencies Blizzards High Winds Tornadoes Lightning or Hail
Flash Floods
Mudslides

12. Non-Weather Emergencies
Earthquakes
Violence
Gas leaks
Aircraft
Hazardous material emergencies
Water Damage

13. Fires and Explosions
Building fires
Wildfires
Reactive chemicals
Bombs

14. Medical Emergencies Workplace Accidents
Non workplace illness (heart attack)
Biohazards

15. Emergency Program Identify/Prioritize Risks Determine how to respond
Assign responsibilities
Maintain documentation
Train personnel
Conduct drills
Evaluate program

16. #1: Identify/Prioritize the Risk
Historical: emergencies in the past?
Geographical: workplace location?
Technological: business operations?
Human Error: what emergencies could be caused by human error?

17. #1: Assess the Impact Human- Probability of Death or Injury?
Property- Cost of repair or replacement?
Business- Loss of customers, etc?

18. #2 Determine How to Respond
Receive notification
Provide warning
Evacuate
Implement Emergency Procedures
Shut down facility
Return to normal operations

19. # 3 Assign Responsibilities
Emergency Plan Administration * Assign a Program Administrator with authority
Emergency coordination * Designate a coordinator per facility or shift
Evacuation assistance * Overall assistance * Specific Emergency Duties (CPR/ first aid, spill response)

20. #4 Maintain Documentation
Written preparedness plan
Procedures for specific emergencies
List of important phone numbers
Maps for evacuation routes, exits, etc
Material Safety Data Sheets
Preparedness training records
List of employee data (phone #’s, etc)

21. #5 Train General Personnel
Purpose of program
What potential emergencies?
General & Specific procedures
Evacuation procedures, routes, etc.
Assembly and shelter area
Training at least annually

22. #5 Train Evacuation Leaders
How the evacuation will be sounded
Specific areas of responsibility
Evacuation procedures, routes, exits
Assembly and shelter areas
How to account for their personnel
How to account for non-employees

23. #6 Conduct Emergency Drills
Notify authorities prior
Scheduled and unscheduled drills
Assign observers

24. #7 Evaluate/Update Program
Was communication effective?
Were response times adequate?
Did employees react as planned?

25. 10 most common errors with Emergency Response Plans
No method of communication to alert employees
OSHA regulations not part of the plan
No procedures for shutting down critical equipment
Employees not instructed what to do in emergency
No upper management support
No employee buy-in
Poor planning
Lack of training/practice
No designated leader
Failure to keep plan updated

27. Example - Fire Preparedness
Consult local Fire Dept for response capabilities, fire codes, etc.
* What is their estimated response time?
* Is your facility adequately protected?
* Are nearby building operations a “high-risk”?
* Is your business in a multi-unit building?

28. Fire Preparedness- Identify processes or materials that could cause
or exacerbate a fire.
* Are materials being used correctly?
* Are they stored correctly (MSDS)?
* Are hazardous/flammable chemicals noted on
outside of building (NFPA 704) ?

29. Fire Preparedness Identify Hazardous Practices
* Are boxes or materials stored close to sprinkler
heads?
* Are oily rags disposed of
properly?
* Is access to fire extinguishers
obstructed?

30. Fire Preparedness- Distribute information to employees!
* How to prevent fires
* How to report fires
* How to contain fires (fire extinguishers,
close doors/windows, etc.)
* How to evacuate the facility safely
* Shelter areas?

31. Fire Preparedness - Establish a warning system * Fire alarms
* Intercom
* Flashing lights
* Telephones
* Verbal

32. Fire Preparedness - Establish evacuation routes.
* Never use elevators, use stairs
* Assign “buddies” to employees who need
assistance
* Ensure exits, stairwells are never obstructed
* Is emergency lighting available & working?
* If in multi-tenant, multi-story building
coordinate with building management company
* Create evacuation route maps & post them

33. Fire Preparedness - Assign Leaders for each area
* Monitor evacuation procedures
* Shut down any necessary equipment
* Do head count for employees and
non-employees

34. ? ?
Questions?
? ?

35. For more information on Workplace Safety
Call
Pinnacol Assurance
( Have Policy number ready )
Ask for your assigned
Safety Consultant