Safety Manual: Emergency Response January, 2017
6.0 Emergency Preparedness Introduction This Chapter provides guidelines for dealing with Emergencies. Fires, no matter how small, must be reported to management immediately. A formal report must be completed and should include known details, as reports may also be required by WorkSafeBC. This Chapter Contains the Following Information: 6.0 Emergency Preparedness... 1 6.1 Emergency Preparedness... 2 6.2 Fire Prevention... 5 6.3 Fire Response and Training... 6 6.4 Fire Fighting Equipment... 8 6.5 Fire Flammable and Combustibles... 9 References... 9 February 8, 2017 Page 1
6.1 Emergency Preparedness Introduction TNRD work areas must have a Fire Prevention Plan and an Emergency Evacuation Plan to prevent an incident of fire and to establish a method of a safe and orderly evacuation of a building or work area in case of a fire or other emergency. Floor Wardens/Marshall s are required in each work area to ensure the safe and organized evacuation of all workers in the area, and safe assembly zone must be designated. A floor plan indicating emergency exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, First Aid Room, and a list of workers normally in work area must be provided for quick and unimpeded exit. At least once a year, emergency drills must be held to ensure awareness and effectiveness of exit routes and procedures, and a record of the drills must be kept. Responsibilities TNRD TNRD is responsible for ensuring that appropriate procedures are in place to prevent emergencies, where at all possible, and for dealing effectively with emergency incidents when they do occur. Specifically, TNRD will: Ensure emergency risk assessments are conducted and documented Design and maintain the workplace emergency evacuation and rescue program Ensure that all facilities have accessible exit routes Ensure that exit routes are appropriately marked and have emergency lighting as required Ensure local emergency response plans are in place Ensure that workers are trained in fire prevention, emergency evacuation and rescue where required Appoint an emergency coordinator and delegate authority for emergency management Establish policy to emphasize that emergency wardens have the ultimate authority during an emergency event evacuation, including drills Ensure local fire departments are made aware of any hazardous materials on site that might pose a risk to firefighters. February 8, 2017 Page 2
Emergency Preparedness, continued Responsibilities, Continued Managers Managers are responsible for: Communicating the results of emergency hazard identification and risk assessment to workers. Are aware of and understand the policies, procedures and work arrangements that are in place to prevent emergencies. Are trained in fire prevention, emergency evacuation and rescue, as appropriate and applicable Are aware of the hazards due to emergency response and rescue activities Know how to request emergency evacuation and rescue Are aware of the resources available to help them if they experience trouble dealing with emergency evacuation and rescue. Emergency Wardens Emergency wardens are responsible to: Familiarize themselves with the emergency procedures, exit routes, fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguisher locations and assembly points. Know the location and name of the first aid attendants, and location of first aid supplies. Assis in the orientation of new employees on the emergency procedures In cooperation with supervisors, recruit workers to assist in the evacuation of disabled person during an emergency and help establish the procedures to be followed to evacuate disabled person. In the event of an evacuation the emergency wardens are responsible to: Identify themselves by putting on their Emergency Warden orange high visibility vest Enter each area for which they are responsible, including washrooms, and direct occupants to leave the building Ensure that everyone has left the building February 8, 2017 Page 3
Emergency Preparedness, continued Responsibilities, Continued Workers Workers are responsible for: Providing input into risk assessments Participating in education, training activities and drills for emergency evacuation and rescue Following the workplace procedures for emergency evacuations and rescue Accepting and following instructions of emergency wardens and Emergency Safety Officer. Joint Health and Safety Committee The Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) will review the effectiveness of drills and make recommendations to management on possible corrective actions as a result of emergency evacuation and rescue. Floor Plans Floor plans for all TNRD buildings can be obtained by GIS Manager. All exits and safe exit route must be clearly marked on the plans. These plans must be posted in several places in the area where there is easy access to them for employees. It is the Safety & JHSC s responsibility to ensure the Floor Plans are kept up to date. February 8, 2017 Page 4
6.2 Fire Prevention Personal Requirement All personnel must understand and follow the rules and regulations governing fire prevention. Housekeeping Good housekeeping and proper equipment maintenance are critical for minimizing or eliminating fire hazards. Fire Doors Fire doors to interior stairwells should remain closed at all times. Space Heaters The use of space heaters is discourage because of the potential fire hazard they represent. However, in some instances an approved space heater may be necessary. If the use of a space heater is necessary, arrange furniture to avoid contact with the heaters. February 8, 2017 Page 5
6.3 Fire Response and Training Fire Fighting Firefighting can be a hazardous activity. To effectively fight fires, personnel must understand their responsibilities and be properly trained and equipped to fulfill the expected actions. The following basic requirements apply: Fire drills must be held at regular intervals to familiarize personnel with their responsibilities in case of a fire. Personnel must be trained in the use of portable extinguishers and other designated equipment if they are expected to use those devices in responding to a fire. Only designated and trained personnel should attempt to extinguish a fire that has advanced beyond the incipient stage. Note: Personnel assigned to enclosed buildings where automatic extinguishing systems are employed should be instructed to vacate the building in case the extinguishing system is activated. Incipient Stage Fire Fighting The following Table lists the actions for responding to a fire in the incipient stage: Task Action 1. Activate an alarm, if possible. 2. If trained to do so, attempt to extinguish the fire by using designated equipment designed to control and extinguish fires.! WARNING: If unable to contain the fire within the first minute, back away and seek help or evacuate. Always protect yourself first. 3. Notify proper personnel: contact the supervisor and communicate the following information: The location of the fire Time the fire was first observed Action taken to contain the fire February 8, 2017 Page 6
Fire Response and Training, continued Survival Techniques Personnel must be familiar with the following survival techniques in case of fire: Know the locations of designated fire exits. Understand evacuation procedures at the work location Do not use elevators: use designated stairs and exits. If caught in smoke-filled area stay near the floor. Move by crawling on the floor and take short breaths though the nose. Before opening a door, touch it to determine if it is hot. If the door is not hot, move to one side and open it slowly. If unable to safely exit a fire- or smoke-filled area, take the following actions: Proceed to a room with an outside window. Close the door to isolate the room from a smoke-filled hallway or from smoke on the other side of the door. Move to a window and signal for help. February 8, 2017 Page 7
6.4 Fire Fighting Equipment Rules and Standards The following guidelines must be followed in accordance with WorkSafeBC requirements: Fire-fighting equipment must be kept in its designated storage place when not in use. Designated storage areas must be clearly identified with appropriate markings. Maintenance and Inspection Persons performing maintenance and inspection of firefighting equipment must be qualified. Inspections of fire hoses and foam stations must be performed annually and must meet the manufacturer and TNRD requirements. Fire Extinguisher Inspections Portable and semi-portable extinguishers must be inspected on a monthly basis to ensure that they: Are housed in their designated places. Have not been subject to tampering. Have a durable tag securely attached to show the maintenance or recharge date. Have no obvious physical damage corrosion or other impairments. A more thorough inspection should be performed: Every six months, for extinguishers in open buildings or outside. Annually, for extinguishers inside air-conditioned buildings. February 8, 2017 Page 8
6.5 Fire Flammable and Combustibles Definitions Flammable liquids: A liquid with a flash point below 100F (37.7), Combustible liquids: A liquid having a flash point at or above 100F (37.7), but less than 200F (93C). Storage Precautions The following flammables and combustibles must not be allowed near furnaces, or electrical equipment rooms: Containers of solvents Oily rags Waste Paper and cardboard products Debris Other combustible items References: National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 30 Storing in Buildings Buildings where flammable or combustible liquids are handled and stored must be adequately ventilated. References Document ID Document Title 2640.006a Emergency Preparedness Civic Building 2640.006a Emergency Preparedness Mission Flats February 8, 2017 Page 9