University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila.

Department of Software Engineering

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Submitted To: Sir. Asjad Shahid

Submitted By:

Eimaan Tariq 23-SE-22

Sadaf Javed 23-SE-42
 ASSIGNMENT NO: 01
PREPARING FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
Emergencies and disasters can strike anywhere and at any time bringing workplace injuries and
illnesses with them. Employers and workers may be required to deal with an emergency when
it is least expected and proper planning before an emergency is necessary to respond
effectively.
The best way to protect workers is to expect the unexpected and to carefully develop an
emergency action plan to guide everyone in the workplace when immediate action is necessary.
Planning in advance helps ensure that everyone knows what to do when an emergency occurs.

What is a workplace emergency?

A workplace emergency is a situation that threatens workers, customers, or the public; disrupts
or shuts down operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be
natural or man-made, and may include hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires,
winter weather, chemical spills or releases, disease outbreaks, releases of biological agents,
explosions involving nuclear or radiological sources, and many other hazards. Many types of
emergencies can be anticipated in the planning process, which can help employers and workers
plan for other unpredictable situations.

HAZARDS:
➢ FIRE:

Building occupants are required by law to evacuate a building when the fire alarm sounds.

1. Inform people in the immediate area to evacuate.

2. If you witness a fire, activate the nearest building fire alarm and exit the building.
3. When safe, immediately call 911.
4. If the fire is small (wastebasket sized or smaller) and you have been trained to use a fire
extinguisher, you may attempt to extinguish the fire. Make sure that you have a safe
exit from the fire area and use the buddy system. If you cannot put out the fire in 5
seconds, evacuate.
5. On your way out, warn others.
6. Move away from fire and smoke. Close doors and windows behind you, if time permits.
7. Before opening a door, place the back of your hand on the door to check for heat. If
cool, slowly check the door handle for heat and proceed to exit.
8. If the door is hot, do not open it. Find or create an alternative exit (windows). If no
other exit is available and you only see smoke, open the door slowly, move to a crawling
position, staying low, and quickly crawl to an exit.
9. If the door is hot and fire is present, keep the door shut. Place any type of material at
the base of the door to keep smoke from entering the room.
10. Exit using stairs. Do not use elevators during a fire.
11. Evacuate the building as soon as the alarm sounds and proceed to the designated
evacuation zone.
12. Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the
emergency responders.
 13. To use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:

P - PULL safety pin from handle.

A - AIM nozzle at base of fire.
S - SQUEEZE the trigger handle.
S - SWEEP from side to side.

➢ CHEMICAL SPILL:

1.Alert all the people around.

2. If you understand the properties of the chemical and know how to safely clean it up
and the amount spilled is small, proceed with cleaning.
3. Wear eye protection, gloves, lab coat and other PPE, if needed. Prevent spread of
dusts and vapours.

4. Close laboratory door to increase exhaust through fume hood.

5. Neutralize acids and bases if you have an acid/base spill kit. Avoid contact or
splashing during neutralization.
6. Control the spread of liquid; make a dike around outside edges of the spill.
7. Absorb the liquid - Add absorbents like vermiculite or cat litter to the spill, working
from the edges toward the middle. Special absorbents are required for hydrofluoric
and sulfuric acids.
8. Gently sweep solid chemicals (do not make airborne).
9. Decontaminate the area and equipment with a safe, compatible solution.
10. Collect and clean up residues. Materials should be placed in a hazardous waste
container provided by EH&S or in a compatible container to be transferred to a
hazardous waste bucket when available.
11. Label all waste containers for chemical content.
12. Properly package and label as hazardous waste.
13. Wash hands after cleanup.
14. Report spill to supervisor and EH&S of highly toxic or hazardous chemicals.

➢ FIRST AID:

1. Control serious bleeding by applying direct, firm pressure on the wound. Use paper,
plastic wrap or cloth around your hand to prevent blood contact.
2. Check breathing and give rescue breathing if necessary and if you are trained in CPR.
3. Keep victim still and warm. Do not offer liquids; help victim to sit or lie down.
4. Continue to assist and reassure victim until help arrives. Protect victim from all
disturbance and do not move them unless necessary to prevent further injury.
 5. Look for emergency ID or medical bracelet. Question witnesses and share this
information with emergency crew, the nurse or Security.

MINOR INJURIES/ILLNESS

Provide First Aid care, using available First Aid kit.

FAINTING, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, SHOCK

Upon contacting appropriate services above, do the following:

1. Have victim lie on back with lower legs elevated or sit with head lowered toward knees.
If unconscious, place victim in a side-lying position.
2. Do not give liquids; keep victim warm unless obvious heat stroke/exhaustion.
3. Ask/look for medical identification bracelet; ask witnesses about any known health
problems, recent illnesses, etc.
4. Treat any other injuries with First Aid, as necessary.

BREATHING PROBLEMS, CHOKING

If necessary, contact appropriate services above, then do the following:

1. Be sure mouth and airway are clear of foreign matter.

2. Ask about history of asthma if breathing is very effortful; medications for asthma may
be in victim’s pocket or bag.
3. If choking on food particle, give Heimlich manoeuvre (preferred) or give a strong blow
with the heel of your hand to the area between victim’s shoulder blades while victim
leans forward. Call 9-1-1 even though recovery seems to be made.

FRACTURE AND SPRAINS:

If necessary, contact appropriate services above, then do the following:

1. Keep victim still and warm; keep injured area immobile.

2. Stop bleeding, if possible, with your hand wrapped in paper, cloth or plastic wrap and
apply pressure. If more than minor bleeding is present, call 9-1-1.

SEVERE BLEEDING AND WOUNDS:

Upon contacting appropriate services above, do the following:

1. If possible, apply direct pressure to the wound or adjacent major artery if possible, using
your hand wrapped in paper, cloth, or plastic wrap. Maintain pressure until emergency
personnel can tend to victim.
2. If possible, elevate the injured body part. If bleeding is copious from nose, ear or mouth
area, apply pressure externally at the area where nose or ear meets the skull. If bleeding
is copious and steady from the genital area, elevate hips and legs.
BURNS: HEAT/CHEMICAL:

1. Immerse or flood burned area with cold water; do not use ice directly on burn.
2. Cover burn area with a dry bandage; call Student Health Services or Security for
assessment and treatment, if needed. Call 9-1-1 if victim goes into shock/can’t respond
to you.

SEIZURE/CONVULSION:

When a person’s limbs go rigid or jerk violently, eyes roll upward and breath becomes laboured,
with dribbling or even frothing at the mouth, it can be a frightening event to witness. But during
the seizure there is nothing you can do to stop it. Do not restrain the victim; rather clear the
area of furniture, potentially harmful objects or tripping hazards.

1. After the seizure has run its course, help the victim to stay warm. Turning off bright
lights and quieting loud noises may be helpful. Remain calm, speaking reassuringly to
the person that you will stay with them. Call Student Health Services or Security to
assist. Individuals with seizure disorders already known to staff usually do NOT require
9-1-1 assistance. Ask instructors, fellow students, and Supportive Services staff for
information.
2. If the muscle jerking/rigidity of the seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes, call 9-1-1.
3. After a seizure, the person may be conscious but confused and not responsive to your
questions. Allow time for gradual recovery, watching for any signs of breathing
difficulties or injury that may have occurred during the seizure.

HEART ATTACK or SEVERE CHEST/JAW/THROAT OR LEFT UPPER ARM PAIN:

1. Sitting up is better than lying down; call 9-1-1, then Student Health Services and
Security.
2. Shortness of breath, gasping and/or upper abdominal pain may be signs of heart attack,
particularly in people over 50 and in women. Call 9-1-1.
3. Do not give liquids but keep victim warm. Ask for emergency medical identification,
availability of prescription drugs in pocket or bag, or other pertinent information.
4. If victim becomes unconscious, check for pulse and breath. Initiate CPR, if needed,
while AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) is brought to victim (not for use with
children under 8 years old unless stated otherwise on AED). Pushing the external button
opens and turns on the AED. Pull handle to access electrode pads and apply pads to
chest (as per AED unit diagram). The unit will administer corrective shock only if
cardiac defibrillation is occurring.(Note: CPR may need to be administered following
use of AED).
POISONING, OVERDOSE OF DRUGS

1. Call 9-1-1, then Student Health Services or Security. Save any bottles or packages near
the victim for possible identification as to the poisoning agent.
2. If choking starts, lower victim’s head when airway is clear. If vomiting, support the
victim in a helpful position. If possible, save the vomitus for identification of drugs or
poison.

➢ SAFETY DRILLS TECHNIQUE:

Fire protection systems are an essential component of commercial buildings, but they are
not enough on their own to ensure the safety of occupants in the event of a fire. Fire drills
and employee training play a crucial role in preparing employees to respond to a fire
emergency and ensuring they know what to do in the event of a fire.

1. FIRE DRILLS: Fire drills are a critical component of fire protection because they
allow employees to practice their emergency response and become familiar with the
building's evacuation routes and fire protection systems. Fire drills should be conducted
regularly to ensure employees are prepared for a fire emergency and know what to do
if one occurs.

2. EMPLOYEE TRAINING: Employee training is essential for ensuring that all

employees know what to do in the event of a fire. This includes knowing how to
evacuate the building, use fire protection systems, and respond to a fire alarm.
Employee training should also include information on fire hazards, fire prevention, and
how to report a fire.

3. AWARENESS OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS: Employee training should

also include information on the fire protection systems in the building, including fire
alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire suppression systems. This will help employees
understand how the fire protection systems work and what to do if they activate.

4. IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR TRAINING: Fire protection and response

procedures can change over time, and keeping employees up to date with regular
training is important. This will ensure that employees are prepared for any changes and
remain aware of what to do in the event of a fire.

Fire drills and employee training play a critical role in ensuring the safety of occupants in the
event of a fire. Therefore, building owners and managers should ensure that fire drills are
conducted regularly and that all employees receive regular training in fire protection and
response procedures. This will help prepare employees to respond quickly and effectively in
the event of a fire and ensure that the fire protection systems in the building are used effectively.

How to develop an emergency response plan: 5 important safety steps

Unless you have a real-deal crystal ball, you don’t know if any emergencies are down the road.
However, there are a series of five impactful steps in an emergency response plan that you can
take to make sure you and your team are ready if something should happen.
1) Assess your safety risks

Before you look at the objectives of your emergency response plan, you need to know what
you’re facing first. Perform a hazard assessment of not only the current safety hazards but
potential ones as well. A hazard assessment notes every danger facing a specific role, team,
work location, or department. If it’s a small organization and company, it may be possible to
assess the hazards of the entire team as one unit.

2) Identify potential emergencies

Again, it is impossible to predict what will happen down the road but talk to the experienced
professionals in your organization to provide insight on emergencies that could possibly take
place. For an emergency response plan, also look at the company’s employee incident history
and records, as well as any other issues that could be a factor during an emergency such as
fragile mental health or complicated, dangerous equipment.

3) Identify and designate communications

Reliable communications are essential if you want to react and send help quickly. Within the
context of your emergency response plan, you need to look at what communications will take
place during an emergency establishing who will be talking to who and how they will be
communicating. To help you and the team, develop internal emergency communications plans
to detail how everyone within the organization will be notified and instructed during and
following an incident.

4) Assess company safety resources

Particularly if you work in an industry in which dangerous equipment and tools are regularly
used, it is imperative that these tools and equipment are diligently inspected and upgraded or
replaced as needed – and all of this documented in an emergency response plan. But there are
other resources that need to be monitored and maintained like smoke alarms, fire code
inspections as well as simpler, often-overlooked, smaller factors such as stair railings and
walkways which can be hazards during the winter.

5) Training, drills, and exercises

When sent a new safety policy from your manager, how many of you read it? I mean, read and
learn from it. Well, if you’re like me, you’re more likely to skim and then read the parts that
catch your eye – if that. In order to really ingrain and teach the staff about their roles
in an emergency response plan, safety or first aid training, and incident drills
and exercises must be held on a regular basis to keep them update and engaged.
References
5 Major Steps to Building a Successful Emergency Response Plan. (2018, August 30). Retrieved from
Safety Line: https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/building-a-successful-emergency-
response-plan

Fire Procedures. (n.d.). Retrieved from CSUSM: https://www.csusm.edu/em/procedures/fire.html