Despite the best efforts of everyone on-site, from time to time, the unexpected can happen, and an emergency can unfold. PCBUs must have an emergency plan for each work that they are responsible for. This is a written set of instructions that outlines what workers and others should do in an emergency. It must provide for the following:
- emergency procedures, including an effective response to an emergency
- evacuation procedures, including:
- notifying emergency service organisations at the earliest opportunity
- medical treatment and assistance
- effective communication between the person authorised to coordinate the emergency response and all people at the workplace
- testing of the emergency procedures—including the frequency of testing
- information, training and instruction to relevant workers concerning implementing the emergency procedures.
An evacuation diagram is another important part of the emergency plan. This diagram shows important information, such as the location of evacuation assembly points, fire hose reels, fire extinguishers and where the Fire Indicator Board (FIB) is. These diagrams should be placed at strategic locations in the structure allowing all workers easy access to the information shown on them.
The regulatory authority in your state or territory requires an emergency contact to be clearly identified on each work site. Usually, this is a poster, sign or board attached to the fence surrounding the worksite. It is also likely that there is an emergency response poster that is in a prominent position on site.
Your workplace’s emergency management policies and procedures will also have emergency contact points.
Many worksites will have an emergency response poster. The poster will include:
- emergency contact details for the main contractor
- details for local medical centres and hospitals
- exit points
- assembly points.
Contacts
For emergencies, please call 000.
A 24hr Medical Centre is located on 123 George St.
For building maintenance please contact the building manager on: 0404 545 124.
Emergency information can also be found in the site’s emergency response plan and the workplace’s policies and procedures.
Most workplaces have guides as to what to do in the event of an emergency. The following guidelines outline the best procedures to follow if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
| Ensure you’re familiar with your organisation’s/work site’s emergency plan, so you’re able to follow it immediately in the event of an emergency. | Done? |
|---|---|
| Remain calm. | Y / N |
| Call emergency services or get someone else to raise the alarm and inform the site supervisor. | Y / N |
| Assess the area, obtain situational awareness and identify what they can do to eliminate or control the situation (where safe to do so). | Y / N |
| Provide first aid if you can do so (that is if it is safe and within your own capability); otherwise, keep the person/s safe and comfortable until emergency services arrive. If you provide first aid, keep notes of the treatment you provide and report the details to the person designated in your workplace’s policy and procedures as soon as possible. | Y / N |
| Barricade the area or put up signage, take action to use firefighting equipment if appropriate and safe to do so, apply shut down procedures. | Y / N |
| Ensure the area is protected and preserved for investigative purposes. Do not remove anything, move anything, etc. | Y / N |
| Complete incident reports. | Y / N |
In Australia, we have six different types of fire extinguishers. Each extinguisher has its own colour band. Each type is used to suppress a different type or class of fire.
Red is a water-based extinguisher for use on Class A fires (wood, paper and plastic) only.
Blue is a foam-based extinguisher for use on Class A and Class B fires (flammable and combustible liquids) only.
Yellow is filled with vapourising liquid. It is for use on Class A and electrical fires.
Black is filled with Carbon dioxide. It is for use on electrical and Class B fires.
White is filled with dry powder and is for use on Class A, Class B and electrical fires.
Oatmeal is a wet chemical extinguisher for use on Class A and cooking oil (Class F) fires.
| Type | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | Electrical | Class F | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combustible materials (e.g. paper & wood) |
Flammable liquids (e.g. paint & petrol) |
Flammable gases (e.g. butane & methane) |
Flammable metals (e.g. lithium & potassium) |
Electrical equipment (e.g. computers & generators) |
Deep fat fryers (e.g. chip pans) |
||
| Water | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | Do not use on liquid or electric fires |
| Foam | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | Not suited to domestic use |
| Dry Powder | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | Can be used safely up to 1000 volts |
| CO2 | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | Safe on both high and low voltage |
| Wet Chemical | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | Use on extremely high temperatures |
In principle, all fire extinguishers operate in the same way. To effectively use a fire extinguisher, it is recommended you follow the following four steps. Follow the four steps
- Pull pin - Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher, breaking the seal. When in place, the pin keeps the handle from being pressed and accidentally operating the extinguisher. Immediately test the extinguisher (aiming away from the operator). This is to ensure the extinguisher works and also shows the operator how far the stream travels.
- Aim - Approach the fire, stopping at a safe distance. Aim the nozzle or outlet towards the base of the fire.
- Squeeze - Squeeze the handles together to discharge the extinguishing agent inside. To stop the discharge, release the handles.
- Sweep - Sweep the nozzle from side to side as you approach the fire, directing the extinguishing agent at the base of the flames. After a Class A fire is extinguished, probe for smouldering hot spots that could reignite the fuel
Where first aid is concerned, construction sites must ensure that employees have access to first aid facilities that are adequate for the immediate treatment of common medical emergencies; if more than 25 persons are employed at the workplace there should be trained first aid personnel. Trained first aid personnel may include a person with a current approved first aid certificate, a registered nurse or a medical practitioner. It is important that all site workers are aware of who their relevant first aid officer is to ensure should an emergency arise, they know who to consult.
