Occupational Safety and Health 6 th Edition Lecture Notes By: Dr. David Goetsch

Chapter Twenty-Five Preparing for Emergencies and Terrorism

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Emergency Defined An emergency is a potentially life-threatening situation, usually occurring suddenly and unexpectedly. Emergencies may be the result of natural or human causes.

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Preparing for Emergencies Preparing for emergencies involves: Planning Practicing Evaluating Adjusting An immediate response is critical in emergencies.

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Components of Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to- Know Act has the following four main components: Emergency planning Emergency notification Information requirements Toxic chemical release reporting

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Emergency Preparation For proper coordination of the internal emergency response, it is important that one person be in charge and that everyone involved knows who that person is. Because there is no way to predict when first aid may be needed, part of preparing for emergencies should include training employees to administer first aid. In certain cases, OSHA requires that companies have at least one employee on-site who has been trained in first aid.

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Emergency First-Aid Requirements In addition to providing first-aid training, it is important to: Well-stocked first-aid kits readily available Have personal protective devices available Post emergency telephone numbers Keep all employees informed

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Emergency Action Plan A company’s emergency action plan should be a collection of small plans for anticipated emergency. These plans should have the following components: Procedures Coordination Assignments and responsibilities Accident prevention strategies Schedules

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. OSHA’s Standard for Evacuation Planning (29 CFR ) This standard requires a written plan for evaluating the facility in the event of an emergency. Critical elements of the plan are as follows: Marking of exit routes Communications Outside assembly Training

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) EAPs should be customized to be location-specific by including a: Map Organization chart Local coordination information Local training schedules The should consider the needs of all personnel, including those with disabilities.

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. The Emergency Response Team An emergency response team is a special team to handle: General and localized emergencies Facilitate evacuation and shutdown Protect and salvage company property Work with civil authorities

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Trauma is psychological stress. It typically results from exposure to a disaster or emergency so shocking that it impairs a person’s sense of security or well-being. Trauma left untreated can manifest itself as post-traumatic stress disorder. This disorder is characterized by: Intrusive thoughts Flashbacks Paranoia Concentration difficulties  Rapid heartbeat  Recovery communications  Employee support  Assistance

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Disaster Recovery Plan A disaster recovery plan should have at least the following components: Recovery coordinator Recovery team Recovery analysis and planning Damage assessment Salvage operations Recovery communications Employee support and assistance

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Terrorist Attack Precautions Employers can help decrease the likelihood of a terrorist attack on their facilities by taking the following actions: Run a safe and caring operation Listen to employees Train employee Communicate Know your personnel Empower personnel Harden the site against external threats and restrict access

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Terrorist Attack Precautions (Continued) Remove any barriers to clear visibility round the facility Have and enforce parking and delivery regulations Make sure that visitors can be screened from a distance Keep all unstaffed entrances locked and alarmed Make air intakes and other utilities inaccessible to all but designated personnel Prevent access to roofs and upper stories

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Terrorist Attack Precautions (Continued) Secure trash containers Ensure that employees, contractors, and visitors wear badges Have an emergency response plan and practice it Be cautious of what information is place on your company’s website Keep up-go-date with the latest safety and security strategies Protect the integrity of your facility’s key system

Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers, 6/th ed. Goetsch © 2008 Pearson Higher Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. Hazmat Security Plan Secure hazardous materials so that terrorists cannot gain access to them for use in making bombs and other weapons of mass destruction. A hazmat security plan should have two components: Personnel security Physical security