Emergency response planning
While audits play an important role in identifying and minimizing risks, they cannot completely prevent accidents from happening. Circumstances in the workplace can change and employees should be prepared to respond to a variety of emergencies including:
- severe weather;
- fire;
- head and neck injuries (to the public or employees);
- anger or threats of violence (from the public or employees); and
- worker injuries or medical emergencies (e.g. chemical exposure accidents, cuts, lacerations, heart attack, etc.).
Every employer has a duty to outline emergency response procedures in their organization’s emergency response plan (ERP); employees have the responsibility to follow it. Every person needs to know what is required in the ERP and their individual accountability regarding its execution. Proper training is critical to the health and safety of all employees, visitors and customers.
Creating an emergency response plan
ERPs are written documents, kept at the workplace, and made available to all employees. There are several factors that must be taken into consideration when designing an ERP. These include the facility layout, the number of employees on duty, auxiliary staff available at the facility, hazards in and around the facility and type of patrons using the facility.
Before implementing an ERP, an employer must designate and train a sufficient number of people to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees. An ERP must include emergency escape procedures, escape routes and measures to account for all employees after the evacuation has occurred. Normally, employees are assigned to report to a designated assembly area where they can be accounted for.
An ERP must also detail procedures to be followed by employees who are performing critical operations at the time an evacuation occurs. The plan should list the personnel designated to assist in medical and rescue duties, along with instructions on the preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies.
An ERP should also include the names, job titles and contact information for each employee. The employer should review the plan with all staff members when it is initially developed and any time any changes are made.
Responsive action
When there is an accident or unexpected situation that demands immediate action, emotions are running high. An ERP helps keep responders clear-headed and focused. The key is to not delay care. An ERP may also include appropriate or necessary training, such as lifeguard, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications, for any employee attempting to rescue and administer assistance to a victim. The types of emergencies that can occur at an aquatic facility include distressed swimmers, active/passive drowning victims, breathing and cardiac emergencies, head, neck and back injuries, fecal incidents, chemical exposure, lightning storms, fire and violence.
In any emergency, communication is essential. Lifeguards can communicate using different methods such as hand signals, whistles, telephones and walkie-talkies (radio). Employees can call for help by dialing 911. The telephone or walkie-talkie can provide a staff member with immediate access to the manager and other vital employees, allowing them to converse as a group while organizing a quick response. The walkie-talkie also allows mobility, which is important in a crisis.
Emergency situations may also generate media coverage. An organization’s emergency response plan should outline who is designated to speak with the media, including guidance on what to say (and not say).
