EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN (ERP)

INTRODUCTION

Although every step is taken to ensure that incidents do not take place, we need to prepare for
controlling emergencies. In this document, emergency rescue situations are discussed. All
personnel on the Retail Construction Site must be familiar with the evacuation, assembling and
personnel accounting procedures.

SCOPE

The scope of this plan is to ensure the safety and security of life, protection of the environment,
protection of equipment and restoration of construction salvage operations in these orders of
priorities. To improve the efficiency in implementing this plan, it will be widely circulated , and all
personnel will be trained through mock drills.

OBJECTIVES

This plan is developed to meet the best possible use of resources at its command and/or outside
agencies to rescue victims and treat them suitably to effect speedy recovery at the hospital.

The purpose of this document is to:

 Define the General duties and responsibilities of personnel in an emergency.
 Describe what people working at or visiting the Site should do in such an event.
 Describe what people you do in response to specific events.

ORGANISATION AND COMMUNICATION

Emergency Team

Incident Controller (IC): Site supervisor in conjunction with the Site construction manager. The
signal for an emergency evacuation will be given by the Incident Controller OR by the person
discovering the fire/emergency. The Evacuation Alarm OR shouting ‘FIRE FIRE FIRE’ is the signal.

In case of an evacuation, all people other than those participating in the emergency response
directly and their visitors are to move to the Safe Assembly Point.
Safe Assembly point: Defined site evacuation area
First Aiders: Indicate site first aiders here

Communications between members of the emergency team will primarily be by face-to-face

contact. Off-site communications will be via mobile phones/ telephone/ STD lines.

A summary for staff on “What to do if discover a fire; what to do on the alarm sounding” will be
put on the HSSE board in the office room. It will also be displayed at each work location. The list
of employees and personnel inside the construction site will be maintained at the security gate to
be readily available.
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EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

Reporting an Emergency

Fire, evacuation/trench collapse, fall or electrical emergency. Anybody discovering such an

emergency that cannot be brought under control quickly must:

 Ensure those in the vicinity are notified.

 Raise the alarm by shouting whatever the emergency is, i.e., “FIRE FIRE FIRE’.
 The Incident Controller will:
o Attempt to control the fire, if safe to do so and direct the staff on their duties as
per the Fire Plan
o Ensure that the Fire Brigade is contacted immediately and report, if safe to do so:
o Type and scale of emergency
o Exact location and time of emergency
o Number, location, and status of any people trapped/injured (call the Ambulance
if needed)

In the meantime, all staff not directly involved with the emergency rescue and visitors will muster
at the emergency evacuation area upon hearing the alarm and, if necessary, retreat to an
alternative external eave at the site to reach the external Safe Assembly Point.

On hearing the alarm

Roles:
 All staff will carry out the role per the details in this Fire Plan and act as per the direction
of the Incident Controller.
 The Incident Controller will assess the situation, determine the most secure exit,
coordinate the response, verify that no person has left the office and liaise with the
Emergency Services – Fire Brigade, Police, and Ambulance as per the site information
emergency form Attachment 1.
 Visitors assemble at the Assembly point guided by the person they visit.
 Security will guard at the exit to prevent re-entry.

Out of the Office Hours Emergencies

Any emergency out of office hours is to be responded to similarly. The security supervisor will
assume the role of Incident Controller till the time that the Incident Controller is available.

Evacuation and Assembly

When informed of an emergency and/or hearing the alarm, personnel should proceed to the
assigned assembly point or their assigned task of firefighting.

On hearing the alarm or otherwise being instructed to evacuate to the evacuation area:

 DO NOT PANIC.
 DO NOT return to your work area before the oral permission of the Incident Controller.
 DO NOT delay evacuation by collecting personal belongings.
 DO NOT re-enter the work area to take back your personal belongings.
 ASSIST injured to evacuate.
 Organize and guide visitors to their Assembly Point.
 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN (ERP)

 Ensure appropriate doors/gates are unlocked but left closed to enable access for
Emergency Services
 Advise the Incident Controller if you suspect personnel may still be on site.
 Make sure the Emergency services are notified if needed.
 Keep a log of events!
 Wait at the Assembling point for personnel accounting and further instructions. They may
be to:
 Return to work.
 Move to the alternative assembly point.
 Go home if instructed to do so.
 DO NOT talk to the press or other third parties. Refer these to the Incident Controller or
his/her deputy.
 Ensure clear access is maintained for Emergency services to and from the site.
 Ensure personnel do not try to leave until authorized to do so.
 Even when attending meetings or visiting other parts of the plant, personnel should
proceed to the Assembly point or their assigned task for fire fighting.
 Visitors should be escorted by their host/supervisor to the Assembly point.
 First Aiders should remain available during the emergency, with an FA(First Aid) kit taken
at the fire alarm sound.
 Ensure the Incident Controller calls for an ambulance if necessary and liaises with
attendant medical staff on arrival.
 Personnel should NOT leave the assembly point until the Incident Controller gives oral
permission.

Personnel Accounting

In an evacuation, best efforts must ensure that nobody is left on the construction site.
This is achieved in two ways:
1. Security will make a thorough check of the work areas, toilets, store, and service areas to
ensure all personnel are evacuating the site.
2. An attendance logbook is made available at the Security gate, and all visitors, besides
employees, are required to make entry time and exit time entries in this logbook .
Everyone will ensure that the attendance register is accurately always filled up. The
Incident Controller shall take a Roll Call at the Safe Assembly Point, and they will inform
the Chief Fire Officer requesting a search to be carried out in the plant for any missing
persons.

Routine duties

 The Incident Controller must ensure that all staff wear helmets and safety shoes in an
event requiring emergency rescue and ensure the availability of a telephone for
communications.
 They should ensure Blank Emergency Log Forms, a list with the names of people working
on site, pens, a clipboard, and a copy of the Emergency Response Plan.
 Maintain and update the Emergency Response Plan and ensure that drills occur once/a
month.
 Order the evacuation of the area through the safest exit.
 Carry out thorough checks of the area, incl. Toilets, work rooms, warehouse, and office to
ensure no one is left behind.
 Advise First Aiders on their duties as appropriate.
 Begin compiling the log.
 Ensure appropriate Emergency Services have been called and relevant gates are opened.
 Co-ordinate and direct emergency response efforts emphasising the safe evacuation of
the personnel.
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 Liaise with the Emergency services. Let them take over full control of the direct response.
Advise fire brigade and/or police on missing personnel and their eventual location.
 Issue the “All Clear”. “All Clear” will be issued verbally to all personnel.

Fire Fighting Staff roles

 Ensure fire extinguishers are available and know their locations.

 Know where the fire fighting equipment (DCP & CO2 type Fire extinguishers, sand,
Buckets, etc.) for your area is and how and for what types of fire they can be used.
 If you notice anything wrong with the firefighting equipment, notify Incident Controller.
 Make sure in case of absence to ensure replacement.
 Be aware of who the First Aiders are and where is the First Aid Kit.
 Brief new staff on emergency arrangements.
 Ensure exit doors/gates are kept unobstructed and can be opened.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY IN YOUR AREA

 Assess the situation and perform the following as appropriate:
 Raise the alarm to the Incident Controller or shout ‘FIRE FIRE FIRE’.
 Try to extinguish any fire using the fire extinguishers if it is safe.
 If there is any risk to you or other staff, immediately order the evacuation of the area.

ENSURE AT ALL TIMES YOU HAVE A SAFE ESCAPE ROUTE

 Proceed to the Assembly Point and do the personnel accounting.
 Note any suspicions about any individuals that may still be on site.
 Report this to the Incident Controller.
 Wait and guard people from re-entry till the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade gives the
“All Clear” command first and then is confirmed by the Incident Controller.

First Aiders

Ensure staff in your area is aware of the following:

 Your identity.
 Location of First Aid Kit.
 Ensure the first aid kit is readily available and fully stocked.

Procedures

Emergencies are unpredictable; therefore, it is not possible to define all the actions necessary to
respond to specific events. However, it is important to have a planned series of actions to
consider in the event of an emergency.

Fire

More specific issues for Incident Controllers and Emergency teams to consider are:
 Immediate closing of all the operations.
 Start firefighting operations.
 Consideration of easiest and alternative access routes to the site.
 Removal of all vehicles from the plant in a safe and orderly manner.

Medical emergencies

Ensure availability of First Aid kit and First Aiders and hospital contact details
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Other possible emergencies

FIRE / ELECTROCAUTION
SERIOUS CRIME
SUSPICIOUS DEVICE DISCOVERY
EXCAVATION/TRENCH COLLAPSE
FALL

QUALITY MAINTENANCE

The Incident Controller should have attended formal fire fighting training and basic dos and
don’ts of evacuating.
First Aiders should have attended a specialised First Aid Course.
Fire Fighting staff should undergo formal training in the use of fire extinguishers, hoses,

Drills

Live exercise will be run periodically, once per month, to test the site’s ability to respond to
emergencies, the effectiveness of this procedure and the familiarity of staff with it. This is
particularly important with the new staff. Drill report sheets should be completed as per
Attachment 2, and each drill should aim for a different type of emergency scenario. This schedule
and type of drill should be determined at the project kick-off meeting.

CORRECTIVE ACTION AND IMPROVEMENT

AFTER THE EMERGENCY or Emergency training

 Analyse the response at an emergency team debriefing meeting.

 Report problems and suggestions for improvement
 Up to date the Emergency Rescue Plan, if necessary.
 Recirculate.