Emergency Preparedness and Response in Transport

Discuss about the Emergency Preparedness and Response in Transport.

An oil and petroleum Company have an industrial warehouse located not far away from town and the warehouse serves a number of activities such as receiving stock, processing incoming stock and storing the items until the time they will be needed by the company for use. This type of a warehouse is a large building where several workers from different regions are employed. As a result of working in the warehouse, there are certain hazards which may affect the workers for example; Natural hazards such as earthquake, human-caused hazard such as fire and chemical spill. There are certain dangerous chemicals used in producing Oil and Petroleum products, for example, Sulphur dioxide which causes lung cancer and cardiopulmonary mortality if inhaled, benzene which also causes cancer.The warehouse floor plan is shown below;

As a newly appointed Operation Manager in the industrial warehouse, I felt that there is need of developing an emergency response plan so that in case we are faced by this type of problems then we know where to commence with an aim of eliminating injuries faced by workers resulting to death. I decided to come up with an emergency planning team and allocating them roles and responsibilities to assist in preventing deaths that may arise from the workplace.  The emergency response team will be organized and assigned each of the team responsibilities so that they can be offer assistance in case there is an emergency.

• Storage of goods
• Transportation of goods
• Goods receipt

Emergency planning Organization

The emergency planning organization will comprise of a designated group of people responsible for various aspects of the emergency operation. This organization will provide guidelines that address the effects of emergency circumstances affecting the warehouse. It will also provide documentation and recovery procedure that will be needed following emergency situations. Emergency planning organization will comprise of;

 The warehouse manager will be primarily responsible for approving the comprehensive emergency management plan and formulating policy with regard to the overall operation of the emergency planning organization including;

• Defining areas of responsibilities
• Determining the emergency management team
• Formulating public information policy.
• Creating financial structure and organization support for EPO

The team will consist ten workers from the warehouse, and the team is responsible for;

• Participating in preparation and training.
• Dissemination of information to various warehouse department.
• Conducting various threats assessment
• Reviewing Emergency response plan

The other selected workers will be responsible the ERP implementation and initiating the recovery phase. They will perform the following;

• Coordinating the operational implementation of ERP.
• Establishing an Emergency Operation Centre as needed to respond to the situation
• Designating a coordinator for the Recovery Group.

 Among the following warehouse activities, they were hazards involved in the following activities and the have effects on workers working in the warehouse.  There were variously associated with storing and transportation of goods in the warehouse and they had effects on the workers at large.

Warehouse activities	Hazard associated	Effect
Storage of goods	Falls from the height, hazardous substances, theft, spillage of goods causing slip's and trips and poor storage causing manual handling risk	They affect workers health and may lead to death or injury.
Transportation of goods	Environmental hazards such as rain which may cause damage to the goods transport and accidents	This leads to the destruction of goods
Goods receipt	Slow goods receipt process, manual counting of items, large quantities items.	Difficulty in monitoring the operations.

The reason for developing Emergency Response Plan is to come up with processes, policies and also organizational hierarchy for response to emergencies occurring in the industrial warehouse. The warehouse Emergency Response Plan appends the preceding plans and excludes the employee actions, not in accord with the intent of this plan or emergency organizations created by it (Beach, 2010, p. 312).

The mission of this particular warehouse is to provide excellent services to the industry. To accomplish this mission, a healthy environment is required to the people working in the warehouse and also the people around. This plans mission defines and pronounces actions to be taken by the workers to efficiently alleviate, formulate, respond to and recuperate from an emergency that may affect the property and lives (Curtis, 2011, p. 456).

The goals of this plan are;

• To protects the assets in the warehouse.
• To protect the warehouse ability to operate.
• To ensure a well-timed recovery from a crisis event.
• To protect the health and safety of the workers
• Fire Safety Committee

The Fire Safety Committee will be formed in order to achieve the objectives mentioned above. The committee will represent all the workers operating in the warehouse and it will include the following appointments (Adwera, 2008, p. 234);

The alarm signal is a continuous ringing bell resounding from an electrically operated border in the warehouse. The alarm can be raised by automatic sprinkler system, automatic heat, and smoke detector system and break glass alarm system (Ben, 2013, p. 34).

    The warehouse siren will be activated in case an emergency is detected. Upon activation of the siren, all the warehouse occupants should (Jiang, 2017, p. 129);

• Increase awareness of the surrounding immediately and alert the workers.
• If indoors, get ready to enhance evacuation, shelter in place or emergency lockdown procedure.
• Stimulation of personal communication devices to organize for receipts of emergency information messages(Fagel, 2013, p. 90).

After warning of an emergency which offers a potential threat to warehouse population, the system will be activated by the designated user of the Buc Alert messaging system and send a combination of email and voice messages to the contact information entered into the warehouse emergency notification database(Kahn, 2011, p. 65).

• This message will entail an essential data concerning the emergency and specific response directions.
• Based on the condition of the crisis and instant hazards presented, notification will be sent to numerous people, certain groups or the entire information contained in the database.

There is a certain circumstance in which evacuation of the workplace is not advisable for example the release of hazardous material, attack by the terrorist. The personnel will be advised in initiating the emergency lockdown (Bissell, 2013, p. 123).

Communication whereby the emergency lockdown will be announced to the workers by the use of an emergency messaging system, person to person or verbally.

• The security available around should be contacted in case the situation need the emergency lockdown(Kelly, 2007, p. 330).
• People facing this similar situation should be notified.
• The evacuation alarm should not be sounded.

• All the windows and doors should be closed
• Silent communication devices should be kept silent
• All the lights should be turned off.
• All the open areas or hallways should not be entered

Elevator Failure concerning the issue in case the emergency alarm is heard. The security provided should consist of the following information (Gustin, 2010, p. 122);

• The buildings name
• The location you are inside the building
• The place where the elevator car is still.
• If medical attention is needed.
• If elevators have mechanical safety brakes which enables them to operate in case, there is a failure in electricity.

  The emergency action that could be taken in case of elevator failure are,

• To stay calm
• All the occupants must be kept calm
• The alarm found inside the elevator car door or emergency telephone should be used to alert or notify other people in case of an emergency.

• The structure should be left immediately using stairwells and not elevators.
• On no occasion assume that fire alarm is a false alarm, action should be taken immediately the fire alarm is sounded(Haddow, 2010, p. 78).
• After reaching a safety area, the security of the warehouse should be notified concerning the alarm and the information to be provided based on the current situation.
• No person will be permitted to re-enter the erection deprived of the permission of the security or Fire Department(Gallant, 2008, p. 123).
• You should render assistance to an immediate person who is in danger so long as it can be done without risking yourself.
• The building fire alarm system should be activated. This will activate the visual and audible warning system to evacuate the building and will automatically notify the Fire Department and the warehouse security.
• The nearby extinguisher can be used to extinguish the fire in case the fire is small.
• Do not contest the fire if these conditions exist;
• If the fire is out of control or too large
• If the atmosphere is toxic
• If you do not succeed in putting off the fire, then you should evacuate the building immediately.
• As the last person leaves the area or room, the doors and windows should be closed if possible.
• If in case you can access a telephone, use it to call the emergency dispatcher telling them where you are in specific. This should be done even if you are seeing the Fire Department personnel through the window(Goodwin, 2007, p. 344).
• You should stay in a position where you can be seen by the rescue team and if possible wave a light-colored item to attract their attention.
• You can open the window at the bottom and top if possible and be ready to shut them quickly if the smoke rushes in.
• You should be patient since rescuing a person in a large building will take time.
• No occupant will be allowed to re-enter the building without Fire Department or warehouse security permission(Young, 2008, p. 87).

Medical Emergency

To acquire a prompt medical treatment from a professional, you should dial the warehouse number and give specific location you are in. In case you are asking for the ambulance then stay ready to offer the following information;

• Your designation and mobile number
• The emergency exact location
• The extent of the occurrence, illness or injury
• A place to meet the ambulance then directed to the patient.
• Give the patient details, for example, sex, age, known medical condition and if the patient is still breathing(Wapling, 2016, p. 178).

The person placing the call should halt on the phone with the dispatcher, answer many questions as possible concerning the condition of the injured person to facilitate forwarding of the information to the responding emergency personnel (Wood, 2009, p. 344).

• Call the warehouse security using the warehouse phone or using the emergency call box to acquire emergency treatment for injury or medical illness,
• The security officers at the warehouse are trained and certified to use AED.
• In case you are providing first aid then reflect the following;
• Is the immediate action needed in order to save a life?
• Will I place myself in jeopardy or harm?
• Do not jeopardize the health of the patient or your health.
• Hazardous Material Release or Spills

For the spills or incidents which require the special procedure, training or equipment beyond the capability of the existing personnel then the following steps should be taken;

• The affected people should be notified and evacuate the spill region.
• Dial the warehouse emergency number to report the incident and be ready to provide the following information;
• Your name, location, and telephone
• The type and time of the incident
• If it is known, provide the name and quantity of the material.
• The extent of damage or injury
• The main person on site must vacate the contaminated region immediately and seal it off until the emergency personnel arrives and this is done to prevent further contamination of others.
• Avoid contact with other people in case you are contaminated by the spill. Remain within the locality and present your name to the emergency staff. Any first aid required should take place immediately and also wash off the contamination(Robert, 2010, p. 193).
• You should not clean up the spills unless trained to do so.
• Follow the procedures for evacuating the building in case the evacuation alarm sounds.
• The communication devices must be ensured that they are functioning since you can receive Buc Alert mails that may be directed anytime(Perry, 2005, p. 512).
• You should not re-enter the building unless permitted by the emergency personnel.

The procedure for dealing with earthquake is different from the others since the magnitude of the earthquake is difficult to predetermine. The best instruction for the earthquake is to take relevant precautions before the earthquake, for example, removing or securing the items on top of you that could drop in case of the earthquake (Ledlow, 2006, p. 448).

• Stay calm and do not react but act.
• If you are in the building, seek refuge under the tables or desk but move away from the windows.
• Cover yourself near an interior wall if no cover is available.
• Shield your face and head.
• There may be falling debris so do not rush out

• Do not use the elevators
• Prepare to receive any message alert by ensuring the personal communication devices are activated.
• Evacuate if direct to so by the emergency personnel or if alarm sounds.
• Do not use the open flames or the cigarettes since gas linkage could be present caused by the earthquake.

After the activation of EOC, the assigned personnel will be notified and assemble the personnel who were assigned. Based on the crisis nature, I will create the EOC in a static setting or ways of communication such as conference calls or emails that are finest suited for a retort to the emergency. There are certain incidents that may warrant the Emergency Operation Centre implementation namely;

• Serious environmental threats to health and safety for example fire, hazardous materials, bomb threat and communicable diseases.
• Incidents of potential or actual harm to individuals like violent crime

 After the formation of the emergency team, they will be provided with resources such as

• Equipment, for example, fire detection burglary alarm, alarm system, a communication system such as telephone, landline and email, fire guard and destruction systems such as fire pumps, fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers and water supplies. An emergency power supply such as generators will also be needed(Magnone, 2014, p. 43).
• Facilities will also be needed for example rooms such as Emergency Operation Centre.

The warehouse will be operating at 1 tier level and it performs the following duty;

• Receiving goods from the manufacturer
• Storage of goods in the facility
• Distribution of goods to various companies.

 The warehouse is divided into three departments and that is;

• Transport management department
• Inventory management department
• Order management department.

Classification of the premise	MINIMUM TRAINING	PPE	MITIGATION	FIRST AID	COMMUNICATION	BASIC TASKING
Receiving of goods such as flammable goods	Cert in Fire Emergency ( 3 days)	Apparatus for breathing. Goggles Rubber gloves Rubber boots Firefighting hoses	Flammable containers should be sealed. The premise should have a fire extinguisher	Fordable stretcher	Using warehouse telephone	Prevent the leaking of flammable goods. Implement In-place protection Conduct mass evacuation
Storage of goods such as high risk and flammable goods	WSQ  Store management incidents  (1 week)	Firefighting hose. Fork lift Breathing apparatus	Fire extinguisher	First Aid kit	Using telephone	Assist emergency responders Implement in-place protection
Transportation of goods of high risk and flammable	Cert First Aider Course (2 days)	Breathing apparatus. Fire extinguisher	Fire extinguisher	First Aid kit	Using telephone	Perform first aid Mitigate incipient stages of the incidents

Response Team Competency

 Every individual within the response team will be given a role to play; The incident management team will have the following responsibilities

• Activate extra response contractors and local resources
• Confirm safety aspects at the site
• Communicate and give briefings to the company superiors
• Direct response and cleanup operations
• Evaluation of safety concerns, response equipment and potential impacts based on the first-hand information given from the seen
• Control entree to the event scene and the nearby.

• Demand health support if possible
• Confirm the release substance and offer protection data sheets.
• Recognize and separate basis to reduce the loss of products
• Initiate primary response action\Offer assistance to the workers in case of an emergency.

• Assist in preventing emergencies by ensuring appropriate measures are put in order.
• To lead in real evacuation procedures and drilling
• To ensure all the workers are accounted for during evacuation.
• To educate workers on how to respond in an emergency.
• Assist in emergency procedures enactment and humanizing effectiveness
• To raise awareness with other staffs concerning the hazard in the workplace

The meeting was held in order to formulate the Emergency Response Plan and during the meeting the following was discussed;

• The risk and hazards in the area
• The staff and resources available to meet the demands of an emergency incident.
• Expenditure during an emergency or incident
• Decontamination procedures to be carried out.
• Financial management process and fund allocation protocol.

  During the meeting, evacuation procedure was also developed to be followed in case of an emergency in the work place;

• The buildings will be evacuated once the alarm is heard or after being notified by the emergency personnel.
• Activate the fire alarm in case you are told do so by a designated emergency official.
• During an emergency evacuation, one should not use elevators but only the emergency official can use elevators after reviewing of circumstances.
• One should walk quickly to the nearest marked building in case the fire alarm is sounded by the designated official.
• Assistance should be rendered to those with disabilities and the disable should know locations for exit doors.
• If in case you are disabled and you can slow down evacuation process, then you have to stay calm and if possible dial an emergency call for help.
• If one must move, it is recommended that; you have to move to an enclosed stairwell, wait for emergency personnel after moving to the staircase and request the person moving out to alert the designated emergency official for help.
• You must make sure about activation of communication devices and be ready to receive any message alert from the officials.

There are also challenges that were experienced during the formulation, they included

• The employees who are the most important resources in an organization are not willing to adapt to the new way of working as prescribed in the ERP.
• The implementation of ERP projects are not rarely finalized within the planned timeframe because of undefined issues which arise during implementation.
• During implementation unexpected issues arise thus increasing the budget

Conclusion

The Emergency Response Plan is necessary is necessary for every workplace. Every workplace needs to develop their work plan to enable the workers to protect themselves and the properties in case of an emergency such as fire, earthquake and various which can cause harm to the workers and the properties at large.

References

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