Symmetrical Group

Policies and Procedures

OHS&E\MANAGEMENT PLANS

SG-MP-31-05 Emergency Management Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0        IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES

1.1        Introduction

1.2        Emergency Planning

1.2.1 Existing Emergency Plan

1.2.2 Developing Emergency Plan

1.2.3 Analysis of Possible Event Scenarios

1.2.4 Resources Required

1.2.5 Appropriate Response Strategies

1.2.6 Assignment of Responsibilities

1.3        Emergency Response

1.4        Communications & Training

1.4.1 Training and Communications Sessions

1.4.2 Emergency Situation Drills

2.0        DEFINITIONS

1.0        IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES

1.1        Introduction

The safety of all site personnel shall be given the highest priority in any incident or emergency at any site. 

All site locations, including offices, workshops and construction sites, shall establish emergency response plans consistent with the associated risks and any applicable statutory or client requirements.

Emergency Incidents encompass any situation where:-

• It may not be contained immediately by the people on duty, using all available resources;
• Injuries have been, or could be, incurred;
• Damage has occurred or property is placed in jeopardy; or
• There is potential to seriously damage the environment.

The following emergencies and their potential effect on a construction site/workshop and adjacent properties should be considered:

• Medical Emergencies
• Bomb Threat
• Fire
• Explosion
• Spills (liquids, solids or radioactive materials)
• Gas leak - flammable (including natural gas)
• Gas leak - toxic
• Gas leak - asphyxiant (e.g. N2, C02 )
• Hydro carbon/chemical spills
• Natural events:
• flood, grass fire, bush or forest fire
• earthquake
• cyclones, wind storms.

The two main elements of this procedure are Planning and Response.

1.2        Emergency Planning

It is the responsibility of the Site Management Team (SMT) to ensure the development of site specific emergency plans.

Steps to be followed and factors to consider include:

• Assign development and implementation responsibility
• Identification of hazards;
• Identification of possible “events”;
• Identification of effects of the events on neighbouring sites and local residents;
• Development of emergency response and control methods;
• Notification of emergency services; and
• Notification of neighbouring sites and local residents who may be affected;
• Communicate and train employees;
• Test appropriateness and suitability of procedures and control methods.

Client and external emergency service providers are to be consulted during the development of emergency plans and where required, appropriate approvals sought.

1.2.1        Existing Emergency Plan

The responsible SMT may agree to a request by the Client to comply with their existing site emergency plan and to be subject to the directions of their Incident Commander, subject to:

• Review of the plan to ensure that it provides adequate protection to personnel and equipment.
• Clear definition of responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
• Communication and/or training of the plan’s requirements to personnel. 

In the event of adoption of a Client emergency plan an overview of the arrangements are to be included in the applicable SMT Safety, Health & Environment Management Plan.

1.2.2        Developing Emergency Plan

The development of an emergency response plan involves:

• Analysis of all possible emergency event scenarios,
• Identifying what resources will be required, and
• Appropriate response strategies.

A standard Emergency Response Plan Format will be established to assist in developing a project specific plan.

The emergency plan will include:

• Emergency alert responsibilities,
• Location map/s,
• Site layout,
• Procedures for notification of emergency services,
• Flow chart detailing the site’s emergency operations hierarchy,
• Location of principal emergency equipment,
• Location of material safety data sheets,
• Client interaction details.

Plans must be presented in an easily understood format.  Simple text and sketches/flow charts are recommended.

1.2.3        Analysis of Possible Event Scenarios

Emergency incidents encompass any situation where:

• It may not be contained immediately by the people on duty, using all available resources,
• Injuries have been, or could be incurred,
• Damage has occurred or property is placed in jeopardy,
• There is potential to seriously damage the environment.

1.2.3        Resources Required

Resources required for dealing with emergency response must cover the various scenarios. 

The two categories of resources are:

• Communication
• Emergency equipment

Effective communications are an important aspect of emergency response.  Communication systems may include:

• Alarm and siren systems;
• Portable radio systems/loud hailers;
• Phones and contact numbers;
• Simple standard site procedures/signage.

All such communication systems must be listed in the site emergency plan.  They must also be reliable and tested regularly.

A back-up communications system must be available and tested as operable in a power failure.

Emergency equipment must adequately cover all identified emergency scenarios.  Frequent testing and ongoing maintenance of this equipment is essential for preparedness at all times.

Equipment may include:

• Fire fighting equipment
• First aid requirements
• Search and rescue equipment
• Personal protective clothing
• Atmospheric testing equipment
• Emergency vehicles

The type, quantities, testing schedule and maintenance schedules of emergency equipment must be included in the site emergency plan.

1.2.4        Appropriate Response Strategies

The response strategies for an emergency will be dependent upon:

• The type of emergency.
• The current and potential outcome for damage to people, property and environment.
• The available site emergency response systems.
• The available external services.

Sites are to prepare for the two likely situations:

• Local emergencies - where the emergency is contained to a local location.  The response may be provided by either co-workers, response teams or by further external service involvement (e.g. broken foot in a confined space requiring first aid attendance and correct extraction).

• Workplace evacuation - where the emergency is accessed as requiring all site personnel to evacuate their workplace and muster at predetermined locations.  (e.g. gas leak, uncontrolled fire or bomb threat).

The responsibilities in preparation and determining the appropriate response will be detailed in the Project/Sites Emergency Plan.

1.2.5        Assignment of Responsibilities

The successful deployment of an Emergency Plan is dependent on clearly defined and communicated responsibilities and authorities. 

As such, the Plan should include nomination of personnel to undertake the following tasks:

• Site Incident Commander,
• Communications Co-ordinator,
• Evacuation Co-ordinator,
• Damage Control Co-ordinator,
• First Aid Co-ordinator,
• Rescue Co-ordinator,
• Traffic Co-ordinator,

These personnel need to have:

• Detailed site knowledge,
• Knowledge of current materials on site,
• Detailed knowledge of process or processes used on site,
• Adequate personal protection for all possible emergencies.

The SMT, or a specifically nominated person, will be the designated Site Incident Commander.  The Site Incident Commander’s shall be responsible for alerting other personnel adjacent to the incident area where the effects of the incident have potential to spread beyond the immediate area of occurrence.

Assignment of tasks is to be based on an assessment of the size of site, perceived event possibilities.  Multiple tasks may be assigned to individuals provided such arrangements are not detrimental to the situation and the personnel involved.

Arrangements for delegation of the above roles should also be considered.

1.3        Emergency Response

The SMT shall ensure final validation of the Site Emergency Plan.

The validation methods include:

• Conceptual overview (reviewing flow charts, etc.)
• Individual component simulations (e.g. emergency evacuation)
• Full scenario simulations (e.g. explosion, first aid, site evacuation)

The final validated Emergency Plan is to be included in the Project Safety, Health & Environment Management Plan and Site Induction.

1.4        Communications & Training

A training schedule shall be prepared for all personnel who could be involved in an emergency on site.

Examples of specific small group training:

• Fire fighting/fire extinguisher training
• Search and rescue techniques (e.g. confined space)
• Breathing apparatus users training
• First aid training.

Examples of general population training:

• Emergency evacuation drills

The training requirements must be provided to ensure appropriate numbers of people are training with the skills to deal with most emergencies.

The SMT must determine the depth of training required given the assessment of risk of each emergency potential and the proximity and skills of the local emergency services (fire/ambulance/SES/police).  It is recommended, even with the help from Public Emergency Services, a self-help plan is the best assurance that injuries and losses will be kept to a minimum.

1.4.1        Training and Communications Sessions

Training and communication sessions are important in the effective response of an emergency to minimise potential danger to personnel and property.

Training and communication forums include:

• New employee inductions
• Refresher inductions
• Tool box meetings
• Specific group emergency training
• Specific individual skills training
• Specific committee meetings

The schedule of these forums must be identified on the training and meeting schedule.

1.4.2        Emergency Situation Drills

The SMT is responsible for carrying out scheduled emergency drills such that employees are aware of the procedures in actual situations.

Frequencies of drills:

• Site/Workplace Evacuations - these should be carried out at least twice each year, but the frequency is dependent upon the length of the project works and the site duration of specific contractor and subcontractor work scopes.
• Specific Emergency Simulations - these will be dependent upon the Risk Assessments of the various activities (e.g. if a site is involved in a large number of enclosed space welding it would be expected that emergency rescue procedures would be tested prior to work commencing and at a regular interval following).

The SMT must ensure that these scheduled drills have a debriefing session (critical response analysis).  The plan and associated procedures must be updated to ensure the continuous improvement and streamlining process.

2.0        DEFINITIONS

Emergency:  an event that places personnel, plant, equipment, property and/or environment in an abnormal, dangerous and/or uncontrolled state.

Location Map: a map showing the site relative to public roads.  It clearly indicates:

• Boundaries,
• Entrance and exit points,
• Emergency access points,
• Street names and number.

Site Layout Map: is a map layout of the site showing:

• Boundaries;
• All roadways and buildings
• Normal entrances and exits
• Emergency access points
• Muster points
• Hazardous materials locations
• Emergency equipment
• First aid facilities and other useful information

Emergency Operations Flow Chart: a site specific operations flow chart indicating:

• The sequence of actions to be taken,
• Who will take these actions,
• How those actions will be performed.

Emergency Message: a proforma of contact details including external emergency services.

Date published: 25/07/2013

* -25/07/2013 12:27:06 PM