Chapter 25

Preparing for Emergencies and Terrorism

Major Topics

• Emergency preparation• Community right to know act• How to plan for emergencies• OSHA standard for evacuation planning• Emergency response• Recovering from disasters• Terrorism in the workplace• Resuming business after a disaster

Emergency

• An emergency is a potentially life threatening situation, usually occurring suddenly and unexpectedly.

• Emergencies may be the result of human or natural causes.

Rationale for emergency preparation

• When an emergency occurs immediate reaction is essential. Speed in responding can mean the difference between life and death or between minimal damage and major damage.

• Ideally all those involved should be able to respond properly with a minimum of hesitation. This can only occur if all exigencies have been planned for and planned procedures have been practiced, evaluated and improved.

• Because no workplace is immune to emergencies, preparing for them is critical.

Emergency planning and community rights to know act

• This law is designed to make information about hazardous chemicals available to the community where they are being used so that residents can protect themselves in the case of an emergency. It applies to all companies that use, make, transport, or store chemicals.

• Emergency Planning: Requires that communities form local emergency planning communities (LEPC), develop emergency response plans for the local communities, host public forums, select a planning coordinator for the community, and work with the coordinator in developing local plans. State emergency response commissions (SERC) are required to oversee LEPCs. Plans for individual companies in a given community should be part of that communities larger plan.

• Emergency Notification: Chemical spills or releases of toxic substances that exceed established allowable limits be reported to appropriate LEPCs and SERCs. Reports must contain the name of substance released, where the release occurred, , when the release occurred, estimated amount of release, known hazards to people and property, recommended precautions, and the name of a contact person in the company.

• Information Requirements: means that the local companies must keep their LEPCs and SEPCs and through them the public informed about the hazardous substances that the companies store, handle, transport or use. This includes keeping comprehensive records of such substances on file, up to date and readily available.

• Toxic Chemical Release Reporting: requires that local companies report the total amount of toxic substances released into the environment. Reports go to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state level environmental agency.

Company’s emergency response effort

• A company’s emergency response plan should clearly identify the different personnel and groups that respond to various types of emergencies and in each case who is in charge – emergency coordinator.

• One person must be in charge, every one involved should know who is in charge, every one who has a role in responding to an emergency is given ample opportunity to practice in simulated conditions that come as close as possible to real conditions.

OSHA standards and emergency preparation

• All OSHA standards are written for the purpose of promoting a safe, healthy, accident free, and hence emergency free workplace.

• The following sections of OSHA’s standards deal with emergency preparedness:

• Emergency action plan [29 CFR 1910.38]• Exit arrangements [29 CFR 1910.37(e)]• Exit capacity [29 CFR 1910.37(c),(d)]• Exit components[29 CFR 1910.37 (a)]• Exit workings [29 CFR 1910.37 (q)]• Exit width [29 CFR 1910.37 (c)]• Exterior exit access [29 CFR 1910.37 (g)]• Occupational health and environmental controls 29 CFR 1926.65, Appendix C• Hazardous materials 29 CFR 1910.120, Appendix C• A first step for companies developing emergency plans is to review these

OSHA standards. This can help safety and health personnel identify and correct conditions that may exacerbate emergency situations before they occur.

First aid training program at your company

• Because there is no way to predict when first aid may be needed, providing first aid training to employees should be part of preparing for emergencies.

• OSHA requires at least one employee on site trained in first aid [CFR 1910.151].

• List of topics that may be covered in a first aid class for industrial workers (basic first aid):

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Severe bleeding, Broken bones and fractures, Burns, Choking on a obstruction, Head injuries and concussions, Cuts and abrasions, Electric shock, Heart attack, Stroke recognition, Moving an injured person, Drug overdose, Unconscious victim, Eye injuries, Chemical burns, Rescue.

Other first aid preparation at your company

• Beyond Training:• Have well stocked first aid kits available: throughout

the workplace in clearly visible, easily accessible locations.

• Have appropriate personal protective devices available: rubber surgical gloves and facemasks or mouthpieces for CPR.

• Post emergency telephone numbers: 911 and emergency numbers for ambulance, hospital, police, fire, LEPC and appropriate internal personnel.

• Keep all employees informed: about basic first aid.

OSHA’s standard for evacuation planning (20 CFR 1910.38)

• Written plan for evacuating the facility in the event of an emergency. Critical elements of the plan are marking of exit routes, communications, outside assembly and training.

• Marking of exit routes: Clearly identified and marked routes of exit, that can be seen in event of darkness (photo luminescent signs); low level markings in case of smoke; fire fighting equipment clearly marked; first aid equipment clearly marked with directional signs; electrical, chemical, physical hazards identified and marked.

• Communication and alarm procedures: Procedures for reporting an emergency, procedures for initiating an evacuation, and procedures for providing necessary information to employees who are being evacuated.

• Outside Assembly: Assembly area to which employees go once evacuated, so a headcount can be taken. Backup assembly area if primary area has been rendered inaccessible or hazardous.

• Training: Training should be provided when employees are first hired, and retraining should be provided periodically, as various elements of the plan are updated. Drills should be a major part of the training.

Essential components of an EAP

• Developing an Emergency action plan (EAP) is a major step in preparing for emergencies.

• Depending on the types of products and processes involved, a company may anticipate the following: fires, chemical spills, explosions, toxic emissions, train derailments, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, floods, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.

• A company’s EAP should be a collection of small plans for each anticipated or potential emergency. The plans should have the following components:

• Procedures: Specific, step by step emergency response procedures should be developed for each emergency.

• Coordination: All cooperating agencies and organizations and emergency responders should be listed along with their telephone numbers and primary contact person.

• Assignments and responsibilities: Every person who will be involved in responding to a given emergency should know his or her assignment. It is important to assign a backup person for each area of responsibility.

• Accident prevention strategies: The day to day strategies for preventing a particular type of emergency should be summarized in this section.

• Schedules: Dates and times of regularly schedules emergency drills.• Fig 25-7 page 575: checklist for developing EAP

Localizing EAP• Map of the plant: A map of the specific plant helps to localize the

EAP. The map should include the location of exits, access points, evacuation routes, alarms, emergency equipment, a central command or control center, first aid kits, emergency shutdown buttons, and any other important elements of the EAP.

• Chain of command: An organizational chart illustrating the chain of command – also helps localize the EAP – names and telephone numbers of everyone involved in responding to an emergency. Designated backup person for every position.

• Coordination information: All telephone numbers and contact names of people in agencies with which the company coordinates emergency activities must be listed.

• Local training: All training should be geared towards the type of emergencies that may occur in the plant. In addition practice drills should take place on site in the specific locations where emergencies are most likely to happen.

Define ERT, ERN, and TRT• Emergency Response Team (ERT) is a special team that responds

to emergencies to ensure proper personnel evacuation and safety, shut down building services and utilities, work with responding civil authorities, protect and salvage property, and evaluate areas for safety prior to reentry.

• Emergency Response Network (ERN) is a network of ERTs that cover a designated geographical area and is typically responsible for a specific type of emergency.

• Trauma Response Team (TRT) may consist of safety and health personnel who have undergone specialized training or fully credentialed counseling personnel to help employees get back to normal by enabling them to handle a disaster or some kind of emergency so shocking that it impairs a person’s sense of security or well being.

Expert System

• Expert computer systems are programmed for use in emergency situations to help meet the challenge of responding to a mixed chemical emergency or any other type of emergency involving multiple hazards.

• They use an if-then format – for example if hot then do not touch.

Trauma

• Trauma is psychological stress. It occurs as a result of an event typically a disaster or some kind of emergency, so shocking that it impairs a person’s sense of security or well being. Traumatic events are typically unexpected and shocking, and they involve the reality or threat of death.

Trauma Response

• The typical approach to an emergency can be described as follows: control it, take care of the injured, clean up the mess, and get back to work.

• Often the psychological aspect is ignored. This leaves witness and other co-workers to deal on their own with trauma they have experienced.

• The purpose of the response is to help employees get back to normal by enabling them to handle what they have experienced. This is best accomplished by a team of people who have had specialized training.

Company response to trauma

• The job of the trauma response team is to intervene as early as possible , help employees acknowledge what they have experienced, and give them opportunities to express how they feel to people who are qualified to help.

• Psychological trauma that is left untreated can manifest itself as posttraumatic stress disorder, the same syndrome experienced by some veterans of Vietnam and other wars.

• Employees experiencing trauma-related disorders will not perform at their best. Safety and health professional should use this rationale when it is necessary to convince higher management of the need to provide company sponsored trauma response team.

Disaster recovery plan• Recovering quickly is the key to staying in business. A comprehensive disaster recovery

plan should have at least the following components:• Recovery coordinator: one person who has ultimate responsibility and authority for

disaster recovery.• Recovery team: key personnel to whom the recovery coordinator can delegate specific

responsibilities such as facility management, security, human resources, environmental protection, communications and personnel needed to restart operations.

• Recovery analysis and planning: assessing the impact of the disaster on the organization both short term and long term by considering various scenarios and plan for them.

• Damage assessment and salvage: The preparedness element should include a comprehensive inventory of all property, items essential for maintaining facility, list of personnel who will aid in the recovery, list of all vendors, worksheet to document all action taken during recovery, and procedures for quickly establishing a remote operating site. The recovery element should include procedures for securing the workplace for the recovery team and coordinator, maintaining security, assessing damage, and investigating the accident.

• Recover communications: Who is to be notified and how it is to take place. You may have to notify customers, vendors and suppliers, employees’ families, appropriate authorities, and media.

• Employee support and assistance: Including financial, medical, and psychological. Determine post disaster work schedules. Include overtime work and flexibility in scheduling. Plan employee assistance including medical, transportation, financial, shelter, food, water, clothing and psychological services. Plan for grief counseling. Plan for relocating facility. Plan to fully inform employees about what happened.

Preparing for threat of terrorism• Run a safe and caring operation: employees should know that their safety is a high priority.• Listen to employees: answer questions, and communicate openly and frequently.• Train employees: for example mailroom employees need to be trained in how to screen incoming mail for

biohazards and explosives.• Know your personnel: institute background checks as part of the hiring process.• Empower personnel: empower employees to back away from a situation that does not feel right.• Harden the site against external threats and restrict access: Insulate the workplace from negative outside

influences. Call in security experts to develop and implement necessary controls.• Remove any barriers to clear visibility around the facility: The better employees can see around them, the

less likely terrorists can pull off a surprise attack.• Have and enforce parking and delivery regulations: So that no car is closer to the building than 100 feet.

Have strict delivery procedures, so that terrorists posing as delivery personnel do not gain access.• Make sure that visitors can be screened from a distance: Will lessen likelihood of terrorists gaining

access by overpowering security personnel.• Keep all un staffed access doors locked and alarmed: • Make air intake and other utilities inaccessible to all but designated maintenance personnel:• Prevent access to roofs and upper stories: roof doors locked and alarmed.• Secure trash containers: keep at a distance from building.• Ensure that employees, contractors, and visitors wear badges: Require identification of visitors.• Have emergency response plan and practice it periodically: • Be cautious of information placed on your company web site: can be used by terrorists, such as detailed

maps.• Keep up to date with latest safety and security strategies: http://www.arch/vt.edu/crimeprev/pages/home.

html• Protect the integrity of your facility’s key system: restrict access to keys, consider not using master keys.

Summary• An emergency is a potentially life threatening situation, usually

occurring suddenly and unexpectedly.• Preparing involves planning, practicing, evaluating, and adjusting.• The emergency planning and community right to know act has 4

components: emergency planning, emergency notification, information requirements, and toxic chemical release reporting.

• A company’s emergency action plan should include: procedures, coordination, assignments and responsibilities, accident prevention strategies, and schedules.

• OSHA’s standard for evacuation planning is 29 CFR 1910.38. It requires a written plan for evacuation including marking of exit routes, communications, outside assembly, and training.

• An emergency response team should be prepared to facilitate evacuation and shutdown, protect and salvage company property, and work with civilian authorities.

• Secure hazardous material so that terrorists cannot gain access.

Home work• Answer questions 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 14 on page 591.• 3. List and explain the 4 main components of the Emergency

Planning and Community Right to Know Act.• 5. How do OSHA standards relate to emergency preparation?• 8. What are the critical elements of OSHA’s standard for evacuation

planning?• 9. Describe the essential components of an EAP and explain how to

build the needs of personnel with disabilities into the plan.• 11. Define the following emergency response concepts: ERT, ERN,

and TRT.• 14. Why should a company include trauma response in its EAP?