1. Emergency Preparedness Healthcare Workers

2. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

3. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

4. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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?

5. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 OSHA Requirements Evacuation and exit routes Alarm systems Protective measures Training Emergency action and fire prevention plans

6. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Types of Emergencies You Could Face Fires and explosions Chemical and biohazard incidents Natural disasters Violence

7. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Fire Hazards: Electrical Overloaded electrical systems Damaged wires and cords Damaged plugs Defective equipment

8. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Fire Hazards: Flammable Chemicals Don’t smoke around flammable chemicals Store flammables properly Dispense flammables properly Read MSDSs and labels

9. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

10. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Chemical Release Hazards Look for signs of chemical spills Report leaking containers immediately Don’t attempt a cleanup unless you are trained and equipped

11. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Biohazards Contagious diseases Infectious microorganisms in laboratories Foodborne illness Mold

12. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Natural Disaster Hazards Flooding Tornado Hurricane Earthquake

13. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Violence Hazards Workplace violence Civil disturbance Terrorist acts

14. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Hazard Identification Do you understand the information that has been presented so far?

15. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

16. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Know How to Report an Emergency Location of alarm boxes How to activate them Who to call What to report

17. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

18. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

19. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

20. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

21. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

22. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Notification and Evacuation Questions?

23. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

24. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Fire Response: Extinguishing Systems Portable extinguisher Fire hose Fire suppression systems

25. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

26. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Fire Response: Extinguisher Use Pull the pin Aim at the base of the fire Squeeze the trigger Sweep back and forth

27. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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

28. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 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