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GENERAL EMERGENCY

AWARENESS

Group WHS May 2016

• At the completion of this presentation the participant

should be able to:

– Describe procedures to follow if an emergency

situation occurs on site

– Describe what to do if first on the scene

– Act in accordance with Emergency Response

Procedures

LEARNING OUTCOME

• Primary Health Care is committed to ensuring an effective emergency response system is developed and effectively implemented within the workplace.

• An emergency is an abnormal and dangerous situation needing prompt action to control, correct and return the environment to a safe condition

• There are many different types of emergency situations including but not limited to; fire or medical emergency, armed confrontation, chemical spill, bomb threat and natural disasters.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

• An ECO is required to be established at all workplaces and

its role is to ensure that the emergency procedures are

activated in the event of an emergency.

• An ECO may included;

– Chief Warden

– Area or Floor Wardens

– Wardens

– Communications Officers

• Instructions given by ECO members overrule normal

management structure during the event of an emergency

EMERGENCY CONTROL ORGANISATION (ECO)

The Chief Warden is responsible for coordinating the

emergency response

Chief Wardens can be identified by wearing either a white

helmet , white cap or a high visibility vests

The Chief Warden will meet the Emergency Services and

work with them throughout the emergency

DUTIES OF CHIEF WARDEN

• If you are working within a large building, you may have

multiple Wardens. During an emergency they are to

coordinate and assist the Chief Warden.

• Wardens are identified by red helmets, red caps or high

visibility vests

• Their role is to ensure the safety of people in the area

• They will commence the emergency procedures and ensure

the site is alerted to the situation

DUTIES OF WARDENS

DUTIES OF WORKERS

During an emergency, workers are required

to comply with all reasonable instructions given by

members of the ECO

If evacuated from the workplace, stay at the

assembly areas and wait for further instruction from

the members of the ECO

• All Workers are to be familiar with the emergency procedures at

your particular place of work to ensure a successful and

expedient evacuation.

• Local Emergency Response procedures are located on your

workplace WHS Notice board.

• Consult with your manager and WHS Representative about

specific procedures at your workplace

SITE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES

• During any emergency - apply RACE principles:

• R - Remove people in danger, if safe to do so

• A – Alert by breaking a Break Glass Alarm and

ringing ‘000’

• C - Contain the fire by closing doors and

windows, or contain the chemical spill

• E - Evacuate the area if required

RACE PRINCIPLES

• A fire and/or explosion in the workplace

can cause substantial structural damage

and injure personnel. If you are first on

the scene:

– Call for assistance

– Activate the Break Glass Alarm

– Contact your Warden

– Evacuate the surrounding area, if safe to do

so

FIRE PROCEDURES

• If you receive a bomb threat:

– Call for assistance

– Follow the bomb threat checklist

– Do not hang up the phone

– Contact the Chief Warden

– Do not discuss the threat with other workers

BOMB THREAT

If you work in an area that has chemicals;

• The response will vary on the type of material, the quantity

and the location of the spill

• Call for assistance

• Evacuate the surrounding are

• Do not re-enter until declared safe

• Spill kits are available within your

workplace

CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SPILLS

• A medical emergency can take on many forms, such as;

– Laceration

– Burn

– Sprain or strain

– Chemical splash

• Call for assistance

• Alert your designated First Aider

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

PERSONAL THREAT

• Anyone involved with a personal threat/armed intrusion

should:

• Act calm and obey instructions

• Not make eye contact or sudden movements

• Be compliant and answer all questions

• Hand over valuables when requested

• If possible call for assistance (phone, computer, duress button

etc)

• Notify Security or Police and give details of the emergency

Procedure for after hours emergencies:

‒ Ensure you are safe at all times. Do not place yourself at risk

‒ Raise alarm on Fire Panel, Break Glass Alarm or duress system

‒ Dial ‘000’

‒ Evacuate all staff if required to assembly area

‒ Check all areas and ensure all staff accounted for

‒ Pass on relevant information to responding emergency services

‒ Contact your Manager

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES

Follow Warden instructions

Remain calm

If required to evacuate leave the building by the nearest safe

exit or as directed by the Warden

Where the EVACUATE alarm has sounded without prior

ALERT, staff must evacuate IMMEDIATELY (personal items

are to be left)

Assist anybody in immediate danger only if safe to do so

Do not use lifts

Proceed directly to assembly area and wait further instruction

Remain at assembly area until ALL CLEAR is given

DURING AN EMERGENCY

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT IN A BUILDING

Emergency equipment in a building may consist of, but is not

limited to the following systems:

‒ EWIS - Emergency Warning Intercommunication System (Red

Phones)

‒ Fire Indicator Panel - Communications panel identifying where alarm

has been activated, connected to Alert and Evacuation Audible Alarms

‒ Manual Call Point/Break Glass Alarm - Break glass to activate alarm

‒ Smoke Detectors

‒ Fire Extinguishers / Fire Blankets

‒ Fire Hose Reels

“Ordinary” combustibles

Paper, wood, rubber, plastics and textiles

“Flammable liquids”

Oil, petrol, alcohol, solvents

“Energized circuits”

Electrical equipment and computers

FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLASSES

If you are confident to use an extinguisher you need to

decide which one is appropriate, the extinguishers have

icons to help you

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

The correct fire extinguisher needs to be selected or there

may be dangerous consequences

Appropriate extinguishers are available within your

workplace

Dry Chemical Carbon Dioxide Water

Remember the PASS word:

Keep your back to a clear escape

route

Stand back 6 to 8 feet from the

fire

Then

THE PASS WORD

EXTINGUISHER REPLACEMENT

Never re-mount a used extinguisher on its bracket but

arrange to have it replaced immediately

Once the extinguisher has been discharged, regardless of

duration, it must be refilled

You will need to advise your manager/supervisor of the

number of extinguishers discharged after the emergency

In the event of an emergency you should always:

‒ Know your Emergency Control Organisation (ECO)

‒ Know your Wardens

‒ Be aware of site specific emergency procedures

‒ Be aware of emergency equipment locations

‒ Be aware of exits and assembly areas

‒ Participate in all evacuation exercises

GENERAL SAFETY SUMMARY

THANKYOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

This is the end of the presentation, can you now

complete the quiz via Primary Learning Hub.

If you are uncertain of any of the presented material or

would like further information please contact your State

WHS Manager