Developing an emergency response plan is an essential part of any construction safety plan and should be consistently reviewed and updated to protect workers–and anyone on the job site–in the event of a variety of disasters. Building evacuations, chemical spills and malfunctioning building utilities can precipitate the need for an emergency plan, as can unexpected violent human behavior.
In the unlikely event of any indoor or outdoor terrorist activity, OSHA has developed an Evacuation Planning Matrix that includes broad questions to help employers evaluate their existing plan. The matrix includes three risk zones. For each zone, OSHA offers preparedness measure and on-line resources for assistance.
OSHA shows the zones in the shape of a pyramid to represent how the nation’s workplaces appear to be distributed within the zones. Says OSHA, “The vast majority of American workplaces are at low risk for a terrorist release, i.e. are in the Green Zone.” The Yellow Zone includes workplaces that may be targets because they are characterized by high vulnerability, high threat or a potentially significant impact.
Finally, the Red Zone includes workplaces that are most likely to be targets because they are characterized by two or more of the following: high vulnerability, high threat, and potentially catastrophic impact. Such workplaces need to consider sheltering employees in place as well as evacuation, and may consider assigning some terrorist incident response roles to their own employees.
It is important to note that the Matrix is not a compliance tool for conducting a comprehensive emergency plan as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan Standard (29 CFR 1910.38).
Any emergency response plan should include a list of potential scenarios, or a risk assessment to prepare appropriate response actions. Following the personal safety of those on a worksite, a plan should also include a process for damage assessment, salvage, protection of undamaged property and cleanup following an incident.
OSHA provides the following basic elements of an EAP:
- Evacuation procedures and emergency escape route assignments.
- Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical operations before they evacuate.
- Procedures to account for all employees after an emergency evacuation has been completed.
- Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them.
- Means of reporting fires and other emergencies.
- Names or job titles of persons who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan.
OSHA’s Fact Sheet on Planning and Responding to Workplace Emergencies summarizes key elements of emergency preparedness and response: establishing emergency plans, training workers on the plan, providing personal protective equipment, and engaging in organized response operations. The Fact Sheet also highlights the importance of having a chain of command and maintaining warning and communication systems.
For more information on preparedness, prevention and safety planning, contact Diversified Safety Services.
