Emergency Preparedness and Response
Emergency planning
Base the emergency plan on risk assessment. Typical scenarios include fire, chemical release, medical emergency, earthquake, typhoon, and confined-space rescue. The plan should define roles, alarms, evacuation routes, assembly points, emergency equipment, communication, first aid, and coordination with local responders. DO 198-18 and the OSH Standards require emergency preparedness for covered workplaces.
Drills and review
Conduct documented drills, critique performance, and correct weaknesses. Drills test alarms, routes, assembly, communication, and rescue. Coordinate with local fire and emergency units. Keep equipment inspected and accessible.
Worked example
A solvent spill occurs. Stop the source if safe, evacuate nonessential workers, use trained responders with PPE, contain with a spill kit, ventilate, notify the emergency team, provide first aid if needed, and report the incident. Afterward, review response time, equipment adequacy, and training gaps. The reasoning is to protect people first, then contain the hazard, then learn from the event.
Traps that cost marks
A plan that is never drilled, no assembly point, no post-drill critique, and planning only for fire are common errors. Do not assume local responders will handle everything; internal roles matter.