By Ethan Davis
Planning and training for an emergency is essential in order to minimize the harmful consequences of an emergency incident. If personnel are not thoroughly trained for emergencies so their response is immediate and precise, they may expose themselves and others to greater danger, rather than reduce their exposure. The types of emergencies that may arise at your work site depend on the nature of your operation and its geographical location.
They could include fire, severe weather, chemical spills, earthquakes and bomb threats. The extent to which training and drills are needed will depend upon the potential severity and complexity of the emergency. You should have an emergency procedure for han-dling injuries, transporting ill or injured workers, and notifying medical facilities, with a minimum of confusion. The pro-cedures for reporting injuries and illnesses should be understood by all employees.
Emergency phone numbers should be posted. They should include at least the fire department, hospital emergency room, ambulance, and law enforcement.