Workplace Health and Safety IV Emergency Procedures HLTWHS300A

Emergency Procedures An emergency is any situation of a serious or dangerous nature that develops suddenly and requires immediate action Causes may be Fire Bomb threat Chemical/biological/radioactive material Gas leakage Civil disorder Structural fault Natural disaster

Emergency Procedures Organisations must have a planned response All staff should be aware of their responsibilities Division II OHS&W Regulations 1995 sets out legal requirements The law requires that all work places provide for safe and rapid evacuation of people

Evacuation May be removal of people from immediate danger or Complete evacuation of all people from a site

Evacuation guidelines Determine positions of authority and responsibility in an emergency Fire wardens First aid officers Display maps in prominent locations that shows all exits from the building Establish assembly points outside building Ensure employees are aware of assembly points

Evacuation guidelines …cont Delegate person to search area to ensure no one is left in building Conduct evacuation drills annually All employees to be familiar with sounds and locations of alarms All visitors to building to sign-in/out All evacuees to follow instruction of warden or other official before re-entering building Be aware of employees with disabilities

Fire All employees should make themselves aware of Sound of fire alarm Emergency exits Fire extinguishers Fire hose reels Fire hydrant systems Automatic sprinkler systems Evacuation maps

Report back here with your findings Fire !!! You have 20 minutes to locate as many of these safety devices in this campus Work in groups of 3 Report back here with your findings

Fire An effective fire emergency procedure should Alert others of the presence of a fire Ensure the immediate safety of anyone near the fire Ensure 000 Fire is contacted Fight the fire if safe to do so Evacuate the area

Minimise the risk of fire Emergency exits must be kept clear at all times It is an offence to block a fire exit Stored materials may block exit Stored materials may themselves create a fire hazard Signs or notices showing exits must be Clear and unobstructed Legible It is an offence to lock an emergency exit

Minimise the risk of fire Limit the amount of combustible material The less combustible material, the lower the impact of fire Avoid dangerous build up of combustible materials in and around the premises Poor house keeping (build up of paper, cardboard reflects poor emergency management procedures)

Minimise the risk of fire Ignition potential (likelihood of fire starting) is increased as people, machines and flammable material are added to a room If the ignition potential is reduced, so is the risk of a fire outbreak

Minimise the risk of fire Arson – major factor in cause of fire Good house keeping reduces potential ignition sources Control access to non-public areas Keep all entrances locked after hours Adequate lighting in areas that may conceal an intruder Monitored automatic sprinkler system Monitored building surveillance system

Fire extinguishers Designed to attack fire in its initial stages Selection depends on Size and rate of fire spread Class of fire Training and capabilities of person using extinguisher Follow specific instructions of fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers General guidelines Raise the alarm Call for help (000) Keep escape path at your back Select correct extinguisher Remember PASS P- pull the pin A- aim at base of flames S- squeeze trigger S- sweep the extinguisher from side to side Observe fire after extinguishing as it may rekindle

Fire extinguishers Do not use fire extinguisher when Fire is larger than a waste paper basket Fire is spreading quickly beyond point of origin Extinguisher is not having any effect You are putting your life at risk Fire is not extinguished in less than 30 seconds You do not know what fuels are involved

Fire extinguishers Saving lives through a quick escape is far more important than saving property

Fire extinguishers If you decide not to fight the fire you should Close the door as you leave to contain the fire Ensure everyone is out of the building Ring fire services on 000 Do not re-enter the building Wait to meet the fire services

Other fire detection devices Alarm systems Designed to warn building occupants of a fire situation Generally use smoke/heat/flame detectors to detect outbreak of fire Fire hose reels For use as first attack fire fighting measure Generally used by trained fire fighters In case of emergency, fire hose can be followed to find exit

Other fire detection devices Fire hydrant systems Used to transport water to various locations around the building to limit the amount of hose fire fighters are required to lay to fight fire Only to be used by trained fire fighters due to high pressures with the potential to cause serious injury Automatic sprinkler systems Reliable for controlling fire Cools building structure above fire Wets combustible material near the fire

Medical emergencies Types Injury as direct result of work Needle stick injury Back injury Assault External forces Car crash Underlying medical condition Diabetes

Medical emergencies Work places are required to provide First aid kits People trained in first aid Retention of all first aid records for at least 3 years First aid room Training of employees Awareness of first aid procedures

Bomb threat Bomb threats can be a warning of an impending attack or a hoax designed to create confusion and alarm Can be in written form/by phone or placement of a suspect package Any threat received or suspected Contact local police (000) Decide whether to evacuate

Natural disasters Severe storms Locate first aid kit Secure vehicles Secure outside equipment Secure doors, windows and draw curtains Disconnect electrical items Stay clear of windows and skylights Do not use telephones

Natural disasters Lightning Seek shelter in hardtop vehicle or building Stay away from metal structures, poles and fences If driving, park away from trees and power lines Indoors, draw all curtains, keep clear of windows, unplug electrical appliances and avoid metal fixtures Avoid use of telephones

Natural disasters Extreme heat Wear light weight, light coloured clothing Drink 2–3 litres water per day Avoid heavy protein meals Increase body heat and fluid loss

In any emergency Raise the alarm Ensure emergency services are contacted (000) Take any action if safe to do so Follow all instruction from persons in authority

In any emergency First priority is protection of life Second priority is prevent spread of hazard Third priority is save assets in effected area Fourth priority is eliminate the hazard