12.0 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

WorkSafeBC requires all employers to provide employees with quick and effective response in the event of injuries or emergencies. First aid and emergency preparedness are an important part of the Health and Safety Program.

The purposes of these services are to:

• ensure prompt and effective emergency response
• promote speedy recovery and to minimize the effects of injuries or exposures
• provide workers with assistance when required

The success of first aid and emergency preparedness depends on employees knowing what to do in minor and major emergency situations. Supervisors are required to communicate emergency numbers and procedures to workers during orientation training and to regularly bring up this information during safety meetings. In addition, risks associated with the projects work process and their control measures must also be communicated and understood. Annual emergency and evacuation drills are practiced to ensure awareness and effectiveness of emergency routes and procedures. All training, meetings and drills shall be documented to meet due diligence requirements. Employers will provide all tools and resources required for these programs to be effective.

These include:

• appropriate emergency response plans and equipment
• training and annual retraining of company emergency responders
• time made available to allow key players to complete their duties
• established chain of command for emergency situations.

Site Specific Emergency Preparedness Program
Formalized site specific emergency procedures will be prepared by City Elevator Ltd. for each worksite where City Elevator Ltd. is the prime contractor or sole contractor working on site. The Site Safety Officer and/or First Aid Attendant will establish the emergency response plan for Medical and Fire Emergencies, which includes the Emergency Response Team. These procedures must be reviewed with all project personnel, which will be the responsibility of project supervisory personnel to do so.  Everyone working on City Elevator Ltd. projects is responsible for knowing the procedures. Anyone who is unfamiliar with the procedures, must review them, or speak with supervisory personnel for more information.

 

First Aid

City Elevator Ltd. is committed to ensuring that appropriate first aid is provided as quickly as possible for any injured company employee.  We will provide and maintain a first aid program for the purpose of minimising the suffering related to job-related injuries and illnesses, reducing absenteeism, maintaining productivity, and meeting WORKSAFE BC regulatory requirements.

Where required, City Elevator Ltd. will provide and maintain first aid services, supplies and equipment as identified by the Workers Compensation Act (WCA) and Occupational Health & Safety Regulation (OHSR).
First aid services, supplies and equipment will be made available to all employees during working hours.

In situations where the provision of first aid services, supplies and equipment is not the responsibility of City Elevator Ltd., we will make every effort to ensure that the respon­sible party makes the aforementioned provisions.

1. Workers who sustain a job-related injury or illness, regardless of seriousness, are required to immedi­ately report it to the first aid attendant for treatment and/or recording, and must also report it to their immediate supervisor. If medical treatment is required, employees are entitled to choose their own medical practitioner. A WORKSAFE BC Form 6A must be completed by any worker injured on the job, and then submitted to the Head Office at the earliest opportunity.

2. The first aid attendant will be in complete charge of all first aid treatment of injured workers until medical aid is available. Supervisory personnel will not attempt to overrule the attend­ant's decisions relating to first aid or emergency transportation.

3. Injuries that arise as a result of employment with the company will be reported to WORKSAFE BC by submitting WORKSAFE BC Form 7 if any of the following conditions occur:

• the worker loses consciousness following the injury
• the worker is transported to or directed to go for medical treatment
• the injury is one that obviously requires medical attention
• the worker states that they intend to seek medical attention
• the worker has received medical treatment for the injury
• the worker is unable or claims to be unable to return to their usual job, as a result of job induced injury, on any work day subsequent to the day of injury
• the accident results in or is claimed to have resulted in the breakage of eye-glass­es, dentures, hearing aids or prosthetic devices
• WORKSAFE BC or the worker requests that an Employers Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (Form 7) be submitted to the Board

• the worker loses consciousness following the injury
• the worker is transported to or directed to go for medical treatment
• the injury is one that obviously requires medical attention
• the worker states that they intend to seek medical attention
• the worker has received medical treatment for the injury
• the worker is unable or claims to be unable to return to their usual job, as a result of job induced injury, on any work day subsequent to the day of injury
• the accident results in or is claimed to have resulted in the breakage of eye-glass­es, dentures, hearing aids or prosthetic devices
• WORKSAFE BC or the worker requests that an Employers Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (Form 7) be submitted t

To help ensure that appropriate first aid and medical treatment is provided, and workers are assigned to work activities compatible with their health, workers will be instructed in how to summon first aid and report injuries, encouraged to take first aid training, required to complete a medical questionnaire after hire and before starting work. First aid records and statistics will be kept for at least 3 years and will be regularly reviewed by management to determine trends and recommend corrective actions.

 

Earthquake Plan

As with a fire, it is impossible to determine the type and extent of the damage the building would receive. Unlike a fire, the entire site in and out would be affected. The intent of these guidelines is to offer a preconceived plan of action and to act as a tool for the education of workers. Earthquakes vary in duration, intensity and pattern and are very destructive. Please read and think about these guidelines as you move about your job. 

If you are inside the building

• Stay calm, drop, cover and hold on.
• Do not attempt to exit the building while the shaking is still occurring.
• Get to a position of safety; i.e. away from objects that can fall on you and hurt you, away from edges of the slabs or floor openings, sit in an inside corner or other structurally sound point and keep out from under any temporary forms or structures. Do not hesitate, move at once.
• Do not leave your position of safety until the shaking stops. If you have no position of safety, do what you can to protect yourself. Get down in a forward position and hold your hands over your head clasped together to protect your neck, and keep your hard hat on.
• After the shaking has stopped, move to the emergency assembly area shown on the site plan and report your name and any injuries. If you are hurt and unable to move, remain calm to conserve energy and call out for help. Rescue teams will be organized to search for the injured. If on the way to the assembly area you find an injured worker, report the location ASAP. Do not move an injured worker as you can complicate injuries. Move only in life threatening situations. Minimize back and neck movement.
• Be aware of aftershocks as you may have to repeat the above.
• Greatest dangers: Falling Objects, Swinging doors and broken windows, Fires, Electrical Hazards.

 

If you are outdoors

• If possible, move to an open area.
• Assume a position of safety and keep low.
• Keep out of harms way i.e.: away from stored materials, trees, mobile equipment, gas or chemical storage, motor vehicles, crew and office trailers or any other objects that can fall and crush you.
• After the shaking has stopped, move to the emergency assembly area and report in with your name and any injuries.  If you are hurt and unable to move, remain calm to conserve energy and call out for help.  As mentioned before, do not move and injured worker.  Get help.
• Be prepared for aftershocks.

After the earthquake has ended

The Project Superintendent or his/her designate will ensure:

• Triage and first aid of injured workers has started;
• A head count will be conducted listing the last known location of missing worker;
• Rescue teams will be formed to assist the injured and to search for any missing workers;
• If necessary, hazardous utilities gas/electricity will be located and shut off;
• No worker is to leave the site without authorization by the site superintendent.

 

Additional Information

This is to prevent further injury. Do not leave for home. Power will be out and traffic lights will be also. Traffic congestion will occur, people will panic and emergency vehicles will be unable to respond to the injured. Have a home plan in advance to give your family its best chance. Guides are available from supermarkets and bookstores. Stay where you are needed until advised by emergency services. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

In case of a major disaster, emergency shelter location will be broadcast by Emergency Services Radio. At this time the local authorities will be advised on how to contact family members. If everyone does their part by staying calm, following procedures and direction of Emergency Services, we will all get back to order sooner.