Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness:

“Emergency Preparedness is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding both natural and manmade disasters." It involves mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.

Emergency Exit:

A doorway out of a building, which is designated for use in an emergency.

Emergency Evacuation:

Emergency evacuation is the immediate and urgent movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard.

·         Campus Evacuation Procedure

o    When the building fire alarm goes off

ü Evacuate the building immediately

ü Guide any guests and visitors

ü Evacuate through the nearest emergency exit

ü Assemble at the nearest assembly point for headcount

ü Listen to instructions given by Emergency Response Team (ERT) members.

ü Wait until “ALL CLEAR” is given by an ERT member before re-entering the building

ü Site conducts evacuation drills periodically – Be prepared

·         If You Discover a Fire:

ª  Pull down the nearest manual call point, or

ª  Call the Site Emergency Number (----)

ª  Alert other employees in the vicinity

ª  Evacuate the area immediately

ª  Follow the Site Emergency Evacuation Procedures

ª  Roles of Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Floor wardens:

§  Receive training from the ERT Leader, Coordinators and Alternates concerning fire drills, the use of fire extinguishers, the operation of fire alarms, CPR training and other skills or knowledge that may be required in event of an emergency.

§  Assist the ERT Leader, Coordinator and Alternates in responding to an emergency.

§  Acts to respond to emergencies within the limits of their training. The first ERT member to arrive on the scene will be the Emergency Response Coordinator, until relieved by someone of a higher authority.

§  Floor wardens need to maintain a list of disabled persons located in their assigned area and share it with the HSE & HRG team (to ensure proper emergency assistance).

§  Show new staff members the location of fire exits and brief them on emergency evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency evacuation.

§  Ensure all members of assigned area/department are accounted for after evacuation.

§  Communicate with Emergency Response Team Leader/coordinator during an emergency.

Do’s & Don’ts:

Do’s:

ü  Be familiar with emergency evacuation procedure, with the location of area floor plan including emergency exits and stairwell locations.

ü  Know at least two evacuation routes from your office and the nearest assembly point to each;

ü  Get to know your ERT member and follow his/her advice during emergencies;

ü  Identify personnel with special needs or disabilities who may need help for evacuating;

ü  Know where the manual call points are located and how to use them; and

ü  Listen carefully for instructions over the building’s public address system.

Don’ts:

ª  Don’t block fire exits, fire extinguishers or block doorways, or stairways.

ª  Don’t use elevators when evacuating building.

ª  Don’t re-enter the building until directed by authorities.

If trapped during an emergency:

ü  Stay calm and take steps to protect yourself.

ü  Go to a room with an outside window, and telephone for help if possible.

ü  Stay where rescuers can see you and wave a light-colored cloth to attract attention.

ü  Open windows if possible, but be ready to shut them if smoke rushes in.

ü  Stuff clothing, towels, or newspapers around the cracks in doors to prevent smoke from entering your room.

Posted by Department of Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

www.doshti.com