Emergency PlansEmergency PlansAURA INC. ChileAURA INC. Chile

Mario Gonzalez KemnisSafety and Environmental Engineer

Diciembre 2007

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Training ObjectivesTraining ObjectivesALL WORKERS MUST KNOW THE

EMERGENCY PLANS

We must be able to ACT fast controlling and minimizing the emergency as much as possible.

We must think about how to act if we are involved in an uncommon event as an emergency.

Do not lower your guard but collaborate in improving everything that’s up to us to contribute to build a SAFER organization. This is what we are working on.

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Why an emergency plan?Why an emergency plan?For our safety : We, employees, are the main asset of this

Organization.

It’s a TOOL to know HOW to act in emergencies (who, when, how).

Through theoretical and practical behavior training (training and drill) we can prevent and reduce the effects of an emergency.

EVACUATION: we perform them on a regular basis to safeguard our coworkers and other people affected looking for protection and moving appropriately to safe areas.

EMERGENCY: it’s a situation in which we try to minimize material damage to our organization through planning.

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Behaviors and Conducts in Behaviors and Conducts in EmergenciesEmergencies

People’s behavior is critical and some decisions may increase risks.

Fear of dying causes casualties. Generally speaking, frequent behaviors

are:– People with disorderly behavior = 75%– People with confusion and anxiety = 10 and 25%– In the face of these situations all our staff has

been trained

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So we will keep in mind that:

We will isolate an hysterical individual (it doesn’t mean leaving him/her alone).

We will convey safety ideas. and offer assistance to the depressed one.

We will be aware and remind to others that there is a way out.

We will avoid spontaneous behavior at all costs.

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DrillDrill It’s the action of putting into practice our reactions as we experiment

an emergency situation.

We must be very attentive and act accordingly to the disaster, taking into account that it’s a drill that may, in the future, contribute to our and our coworkers’ protection.

Any individual which takes on a specific role - but not for the first time – will suffer less anxiety and will respond more adequately than another individual which has never taken on any such role.

We perform Drills in the Telescopes on a regular basis and our best record is 1 minute for total evacuation of Gemini, 1 minute and 26 seconds for Víctor Blanco Telescope and 0,45 minute for Soar Telescope.

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Do we knowDo we know……1) ...the Communication Control Center emergency

phone number?– Security guards/ Operations Department

There are notices on every phone and in every office2) ...what to do in face of fires like?

– A. Fire in compressed gas cylinder– B. LPG leak– C. Burning electrical board

3) ...what to do if the fire is serious?

4) At every Telescope there are notices about how to act in emergencies. All employees have been trained.

5) On every phone there is a notice with Emergency Phones.

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Three Main Objectives for Three Main Objectives for Emergency PlansEmergency Plans

These plans are always written, very precise and specific about every step and about people which should be and are trained to activate and operate the emergency plan. Moreover, they have been incorporated in the Intranet.

Protect Lives Protect Facilities Restore Operations

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For every disaster, there must be a specific plan.The most serious disasters that could affect our organization are:

Fires Earthquakes

In the Observatory, we’ve got Emergency Plans for:

Accidents – Earthquakes – Fires - Evacuation

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Responsibilities Assigned in Responsibilities Assigned in EmergenciesEmergencies

Rate the emergency.Announce the emergency. (Loudspeakers,

Radios, VHF, Phones)Order that Operations come to a halt.Coordinate emergency actions.Ask for support according to Mutual Aid

Program.

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Safety ResponsibilitiesSafety Responsibilities

Evacuation control. Employees first.Assistance in First Aid and rescue.Fight Emergency.Control dangerous areas.Check staff in the Summit.Access Control.Link with support from Mutual C.CH.C.,

AOSS.

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TrainingTraining

“Training” is a fundamental part of any plan; selected staff must have knowledge and practice as realistic as possible on every disaster included in the Organization emergency plans.

At Aura Inc staff is trained every year (use of fire extinguishers, alarms, first aid, Fire Hose operation, etc. )

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Requirements for our Emergency Requirements for our Emergency TeamsTeams

Discipline. Predominance of cerebral individuals. Physical Abilities and sports mentality. Homogeneity between selected people. From all work areas:

CTIO, Soar and Gemini.. Ability for initiative and influence. Ability for suffering.

LEADE RSHIP

Nomination

Authority Delegation

Emotional Convincing

“Believe the Leader”

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Preventive ActionsPreventive ActionsThe Key for SafetyThe Key for Safety

Regular Tasks InspectionGood handling of Dangerous WasteYearly Maintenance of Fire ExtinguishersRegular Maintenance of Fire HosesMaintenance of Fire Detection SystemsMaintenance of Radio Equipment and Link with

Carabineros, 24 hour link with Cenco.Coordination with Fire Department / Hospitals

and Mutual de Seguridad

                             

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Team Work: Team Work: The Key for SafetyThe Key for Safety

More coordination. More time for action

planning. The leader works knowing

very clearly its functions. Enables each member to

learn from past situations. Mutual assistance.

B R IG A D A D EE M E R G E N C I A

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Procedure in case of earthquakeProcedure in case of earthquake1. If the earthquake isn’t strong, be quiet, it will end soon.2. If the earthquake is strong, switch off electric

equipments.3. Remain calm and convey tranquility.4. Get under a desk or in the door lintel or near a main wall.5. Get keener to avoid risks and remember the following

instructions:– If you are inside a building, stay inside; if you are outside, stay

outside.– Remember that, in case of an evacuation, you will hear the

alarm signal. Follow evacuation procedures and head for next safety area.

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Evacuation ProcedureEvacuation Procedure1. When you receive the evacuation order personally from the

head of Emergency, by radio, phone or loudspeaker.2. When you can’t perceive any of previous orders and an

emergency happens:– Stop doing the task you were performing, switch off all

equipment.– Stay clam, remember that evacuating is not rushing in terror.– Go to next safety area. If you don’t know them check the plans

posted in every building or Telescope.– If any evacuation exit is obstructed, look for an alternative. Each

building or Telescope has got at least 2 Evacuation exits.

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Evacuation:Evacuation:

Action of evacuating a

workplace in an orderly

and planned manner.This concept includes the protection of

property and documents which are vitally important for the organization.

Fast and appropriate evacuation is a way to avoid loss.

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Classes of evacuation:Classes of evacuation:

Fires.Earthquakes.Chemical spilling.Weather emergencies (specific

procedure).Limited explosion risk. Threat of bomb or explosive device.

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YYou ou should evacuate:should evacuate:

When you hear the evacuation alarm.When ordered by Site Manager,

loudspeakers or radio.When ordered directly to evacuate.When you can’t perceive any of these

three signals and an emergency happens.

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Emergency exitsEmergency exits

Emergency exits: A continuous unobstructed

route to get out of a building or structure to a public way or a safe place. (Based in OSHA Subpart E, 1910.35)

It’s an obligation for each individual to know his/her nearest Emergency Exit.

Must stay uncovered, visible and updated.

They are in all work areas.

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SignsSignsSigns are properly posted in all our buildings and Signs are properly posted in all our buildings and

TelescopesTelescopes

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Condition of our Evacuation ExitsCondition of our Evacuation Exits

Clear and accessible. Demarcated. Well lit, even with emergency lights if necessary. Provided with panic bars. Built with solid, non flammable material

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Where to evacuateWhere to evacuateSafety areas: A place far from the affected building where people

are protected and where the wind won’t blow the smoke.

Safety areas Always on the Northern side of the buildings Minimum 20 meter apart. Far from falling objects or high voltage equipment. Demarcated.

Evacuee’s responsibility: Call staff register. Wait calmly for instructions in safety area. Be ready to offer support as requested.

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Leaders of Emergency Plans at Leaders of Emergency Plans at Aura Inc.Aura Inc.

Project DirectorsSite ManagersSupervisorsSafety and Health Joint Committees

in La Serena, Tololo, PachónWorkersEVERYBODY IS CONCERNED WITH SAFETY

– Commitment for Life - Aura Inc Policy

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Last messageLast message

In our Observatories, all of us are important, so we must care for each other and act properly in an emergency.

The Emergency and Evacuation Plan will be successful if everybody collaborates and acts properly.

Safety is everybody’s responsibility.