Emergency Action And Fire Prevention

Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:• Understand hazards that lead to an

emergency• Evacuate an area in an emergency• Respond to an emergency• Protect yourself from fire and other hazards• Prevent fires• Respond to fires and spills

Are You Prepared?•200 people die and 5,000 are hurt

annually in workplace fires and explosions.•How would you react to a fire alarm?•Do you know your role if there was a

major chemical spill?•What would you do in a natural

disaster such as a violent storm?

Regulatory Requirements•29 CFR 1910.33 to 1910.39•Evacuation and exit routes•Alarm systems•Protective measures•Training•Emergency action and fire prevention

plans

Fire Hazards

Fuels•Flammable and

combustible liquids

Ignition sources•Machine overheating•Welding•Smoking

Electrical Fire Hazards

•Overloaded electrical systems•Frayed or damaged

wiring•Defective machinery

or power tools

Flammable Chemical Hazards• Don’t smoke around

flammable chemicals• Store properly• Dispense properly• Read MSDSs and labels

• Know the flash point• Know the NFPA label system

• Respond properly to spills

Chemical DischargeHazards•Leaking container•Strong odor•Visible spill•Dust cloud

Natural Disaster Hazards

•Earthquake•Flooding•Tornado•Hurricane

Violence Hazards

•Civil disturbance•Workplace violence

Identifying Hazards

•Any questions about specific hazards that can cause an emergency?

Evacuation—Sound the Alarm•Remove yourself

from danger•Alert others, activate

alarm system•Backup alarm•Automatic notification

Evacuation—Emergency Contacts

•Fire department•Police department•Ambulance•Medical clinic•Hospital

Evacuate•Evacuation coordinators•Head count•Medical•Shut down equipment•Fire/chemical responders

Evacuation Preparedness•Keep fire exits clear•Participate in drills and provide feedback•Become familiar with evacuation coordinators and head-count personnel

Evacuation Procedures•Recognize the evacuation signal and listen for instructions•Shut down equipment using the emergency stop•Go directly to the nearest safe exit•Proceed to the assembly area

Emergency Shutdown

•Designated employees shut down non-essential operations

Rescue and Medical Treatment•Leave rescue work to trained professionals•Designated first-aid workers perform first aid•Follow medical emergency procedures

Notification and Evacuation

•Any questions?

Fire Prevention Housekeeping•Keep your work area clean and organized•Keep dusts away from motors and hot

machinery•Dispose of oily or solvent-soaked rags

appropriately•Don’t let combustible materials accumulate•Keep exits clear•Maintain access to fire response equipment

Respond to Chemical Spills

•Evacuate the area•Notify a supervisor or

the emergency response team•Remove ignition

sources (if safe to do so)

Respond to Fires•Remove yourself from danger•Notify others; trigger the alarm •Retrieve a fire extinguisher•Call for additional help• If fighting a fire, continually evaluate for the necessity of evacuation•Don’t fight structural fires yourself

Fire Response— Extinguishing Equipment

•Portable extinguisher•Fire hose•Fire suppression systems

Extinguisher Types

•A—For combustibles such as trash, wood, or paper•B—For flammable liquids or gases•C—For electrical fires•D—For combustible metals such as magnesium

Extinguisher Use

•Pull the pin•Aim at the base of the fire•Squeeze the trigger•Sweep back and forth

Fire Prevention and Response

•Any questions about responding to an emergency?•Any questions about your role?

Key Points to Remember•Fires, chemicals, natural disasters, and

violence are causes of emergencies•Prevention better than reaction•Protect yourself; alert others•Know your role in an evacuation•Use fire-fighting equipment only if trained•Ask your supervisor