OSH for ENGINEERS

ENGG 1030

Joanne S. Dionela, ChE

15. Emergency
Preparedness and
Response
Emergency Preparedness & Response 3

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.

What is a workplace emergency?

A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that
threatens your employees, customers, or the public;
disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes
physical or environmental damage.

Emergencies may be natural or manmade and include

the following:
1. Natural Disasters
2. Technological
3. Human
Key Elements of Emergency Response Plan 4

1. Pre-plans – Identify different emergency scenarios ahead of time and define emergency
procedure/plan for each scenario. Prepare resources in advanced and as a redundancy
(e.g. emergency numbers directory, floor plans, evacuation maps, assembly areas,
emergency supplies, logistics, tools to account people, emergency food and water, etc.).

2. Incident Command Structure - Establish authority during emergencies. Who’s in-charge, who
will do what, define roles and responsibilities.

3. Employee Training – Identify training needs, conduct employee trainings and drills in a regular
basis covering all possible scenarios.

4. Management System Review - Continuously improve the plan which covers not only the
procedure but covers all resources needed (e.g. equipment, facilities, supplies, etc.) through
regular inspections, audits, drills, post-incident reviews, periodic document review, and
evaluation of the program/system effectiveness.
Incident Command Structure 5
Emergency Response Team 6
Common
Emergency
Scenarios and
Basic Response
Fire 8

1. Seek help / Inform Superior.

2. Sound the alarm.
3. If you know how to use Fire Extinguisher, extinguish fire using dry chemical, foam or Type B fire
extinguisher.
4. Activate emergency shutdown system.
5. Follow evacuation procedure.
6. Activate the fire brigade.
7. Call the fire department.
 Earthquake 9

1. Drop, Cover and Hold: Stop, duck/drop, cover yourself and hold on under a sturdy and
stable furniture.
2. Remain calm & do not rush out of the building during the earthquake. Move out of the
building after the earthquake
3. Seek protection from falling hazard
 Beneath tables, door jambs
 Away from buildings, tall cabinets/shelves
 Away from electrical sources, glass windows, ovens and chemical storage.
Chemical Spills/Leaks 10

1. Read the MSDS and follow instructions in

handling spills.
2. ELIMINATE all ignition sources.
3. All equipment used when handling the
product must be bonded and grounded.
4. Do not touch or walk through spilled
material. Stop leak if you can do without
risk.
5. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, or
confined spaces.
6. Use vapor suppressing foam to reduce
vapors.
7. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or
other non-combustible material and
transfer to containers.
8. Use clean non-sparking tools to collect
absorbed material.
 Chemical Splash 11

1. Wash affected area of the body with water for 15-20

minutes in the nearest eye shower or emergency
showers.
2. For irritation, wash affected area with water
(lavatory/eye wash).
3. Go to clinic for further treatment. Bring the victim to the
hospital when necessary.
4. Report immediately to Safety Officer/Superior.
 Floods & Typhoons 12

1. Prepare your emergency kit/ go-bags. Be alert for

secondary hazards such as flooding, storm surge,
and landslides. Store water and food that would
last at least 3-5 days.

2. Secure your house. (e.g. Roof, doors, windows,

ceilings). Secure important items high above the
ground or known flood-level.

3. Charge your communication devices and know

the emergency hotline numbers in your area. Listen
to regular weather updates.

4. Stay at home if possible but know the identified

safe typhoon evacuation shelter in your area/
workplace/school and be familiar with the safest
way in going there even in darkness and severe
weather.

5. Do not cross flood waters with an open wound.

Bomb Threat 13

In the event of a bomb threat call:

1. Keep calm and keep the caller on the line.

2. Get as many information as you can about the bomb

and the caller. Pay particular attention to
background noises which may give a clue as to
where the call is being made.

3. Immediately after the caller hangs up, report the

threat to the Security or call Emergency Number.

4. Follow evacuation procedure.

Note: All Bomb Threats are considered real even if it is a

joke.
Suspicious Package 14

For any suspicious package or letter, if you are Signs of a suspicious

unable to verify the contents with the addressee package:
or sender: • No return address
1. Do not open it. • Poorly handwritten
2. Treat it as suspect. • Excessive postage
3. Isolate it. – Don’t handle it. • Misspelled words
4. Call Security or Emergency Number • Stains
• Incorrect titles
For a bomb: • Strange odor
1. Evacuate immediately. • Foreign postage
2. Do not use cell phones. • Strange sounds
3. Call Security or Emergency Number from a • Restrictive notes
landline. • Unexpected delivery
 Active Shooter 15

1. Run
 If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.
2. Hide
 If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find
you.
3. Fight
 As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to
disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter.
16. Safety as
related to Health:
Medical
Emergencies and
First Aid
 First Aid 17

What is First Aid?

• First aid refers to medical attention that is administered immediately
after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred. It often
consists of a one-time, short-term treatment and requires little
technology or training to administer. First aid can include cleaning
minor cuts, scrapes, or scratches; treating a minor burn; applying
bandages and dressings; the use of non-prescription medicine;
draining blisters; removing debris from the eyes; massage; and
drinking fluids to relieve heat stress. The provision of prompt and
appropriate first aid can reduce the severity of an injury or illness and
in extreme cases, could mean the difference between life and
death.

Purpose of First Aid:

1. Preserve life.
2. Prevent illness or injury from becoming worse.
3. Relieve pain, if possible.
4. Promote recovery.
5. Protect the unconscious.
 First Aid 18

Standard First Aid Programs:

1. Basic Life Support (BLS) - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
2. Basic First Aid

• Red Cross is the only authorized/recognized organization to

conduct training and certify First Aiders.

• Employers are responsible for the type, amount, and

maintenance of first aid supplies needed for their particular
program. The training program should be periodically
reviewed with current first aid techniques and knowledge.

• Basic adult CPR retesting should occur every year and first aid
skills and knowledge should be reviewed every three years.
Medical Emergencies 19

1. Call Emergency Number or First Aiders.

2. Remain with the injured person/s. DO NOT MOVE
them unless they are in immediate danger of further
injury.
3. If you are a certified First Aider, provide First Aid until
Medical Professionals arrive at the scene and take
over the response.
First Aid Guide 20

Heart Attack
• Help the patient to a comfortable position, either
sitting or lying down.
• Do not let the person move around
• Assist the patient if he/she has prescribed
medication
• Give constant reassurance.
• Call for help or bring the patient to the nearest
medical facility.
First Aid Guide 21

Bleeding
• Wear gloves if possible.
• Carefully expose wound and check for foreign objects
if there’s any. Do no remove objects stuck deep into
the injured part. Apply dressing around the injury if
bleeding is continual.
• If there is no foreign objects, minimize bleeding by
placing a dressing/cloth over the wound and applying
firm, direct pressure. Immobilize and elevate.
• Call Emergency Number/Medical Responders.
• Lie the victim down and conserve body heat. Reassure
the victim until Medical professionals arrive.
First Aid Guide 22

Burns
• Neutralize hazards before attending to the victim.
• Cool affected area with cool running water for up
to 20 minutes. Remove clothing unless sticking to
skin.
• Cover the affected area with non-adhesive, non-
fluffy (wet) dressing.
• Call Emergency Number/Medical responders.
• Reassure the victim. Treat the victim for shock.
First Aid Guide 23

Fractures
• Stop any bleeding.
• Immobilize the injured area. Do not move the victim.
• Apply cold compress to the area. Wrap an ice pack or bag of ice
cubes in a piece of cloth and apply it to the injured area for up to 10
minutes at a time.
• If bone is protruding from affected area do not touch it. Apply
dressing around bone if bleeding is continual
• Treat the victim for shock.
• Call Emergency Number/medical responders.
First Aid Guide 24

Shock
• Place the victim in shock position.
• Keep the person warm and comfortable.
• If the face is pale, elevate the feet.
• If the face is red, elevate the head.
• Loosen tight clothing.
• Do not give anything by mouth.
• Call emergency number/medical responders.
Questions?