Emergency Preparedness Healthcare Workers. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Session Objectives You will be able to: Identify workplace hazards that

Emergency Preparedness

Healthcare Workers

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© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609

Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:• Identify workplace hazards that could cause

an emergency• Report emergencies promptly• Carry out emergency responsibilities• Evacuate quickly and safely• Respond to emergency situations effectively


What You Need to Know•Workplace hazards that could lead to an

emergency• How to report emergencies• Emergency responsibilities• Evacuation routes and procedures• Response to fires and chemical/biohazard

emergencies


Are You Prepared?• How would you react to a fire alarm?•What would you do in a natural disaster

such as a violent storm?• Do you know your role if there were a

serious chemical or biohazard incident?• How would you respond to an act of

violence?


OSHA Requirements• Evacuation and exit

routes• Alarm systems• Protective measures• Training• Emergency action and

fire prevention plans


Types of EmergenciesYou Could Face• Fires and explosions• Chemical and biohazard incidents• Natural disasters• Violence


Fire Hazards: Electrical• Overloaded electrical

systems• Damaged wires and

cords• Damaged plugs• Defective equipment


Fire Hazards: Flammable Chemicals• Don’t smoke around

flammable chemicals• Store flammables

properly• Dispense flammables

properly• Read MSDSs and

labels


Fire Hazards: Smoking And Housekeeping• Smoke only in

designated areas• Make sure cigarettes

and matches are completely extinguished• Keep your work area

clean and neat• Properly dispose of fire

hazards such as combustible trash


Chemical Release Hazards• Look for signs of

chemical spills• Report leaking

containers immediately• Don’t attempt a

cleanup unless you are trained and equipped


Biohazards• Contagious diseases• Infectious

microorganisms in laboratories• Foodborne illness• Mold


Natural Disaster Hazards• Flooding• Tornado• Hurricane• Earthquake


Violence Hazards• Workplace violence• Civil disturbance• Terrorist acts


Hazard Identification• Do you understand the

information that has been presented so far?


Be Prepared to Respond Effectively to Emergencies• Find out what you need to know now• Prepare yourself to act correctly• Participate in emergency drills• Become familiar with emergency plans and

coordinators • Keep emergency exits clear


Know How to Report an Emergency• Location of alarm

boxes• How to activate them• Who to call• What to report


Understand Emergency Responsibilities• Handle only tasks you’ve been assigned

and trained for• Understand exactly what’s expected of you• Carry out responsibilities only if you can do

so safely


Patient Evacuation Responsibilities• Understand a patient’s

condition before moving• Know specific patient

removal procedures• Be able to locate

assigned safe areas inside or outside the facility


Know Your Evacuation Route(s)• Have at least two

escape routes from your work area• Know where

emergency exits are located in other parts of the facility• Know where to go for

roll call once safely outside


Be Familiar with Evacuation Procedures• Recognize the

evacuation signal and listen for instructions• Alert co-workers and

patients• Shut down equipment• Go directly to the

nearest safe exit


Evacuation Procedures (cont.)

•Move quickly but calmly• Follow directions from emergency response

personnel• Proceed to the assembly area• Do not leave the area until instructed


Notification and Evacuation• Questions?


Respond Safely to Fires• Remove yourself from danger• Trigger the alarm • Retrieve a fire extinguisher• Call for additional help• Continually evaluate the situation for the

necessity to evacuate• Don’t try to fight large, spreading fires

yourself


Fire Response: Extinguishing Systems• Portable extinguisher• Fire hose• Fire suppression

systems


Fire Response:Extinguisher Types• A—For combustibles

such as trash, wood, or paper• B—For flammable

liquids or gases• C—For electrical fires• ABC—Multipurpose


Fire Response: Extinguisher Use• Pull the pin• Aim at the base of the

fire• Squeeze the trigger• Sweep back and forth


Respond Safely to Chemical/Biohazards• Evacuate the area• Shut doors and windows• Notify a supervisor or the emergency

coordinator immediately• Remove ignition sources (if safe to do so)• Do not return to the area until instructed


Key Points to Remember• Fires, chemicals/biohazards, natural

disasters, and violence can cause workplace emergencies• Be sure you know evacuation routes,

emergency procedures, and emergency responsibilities• Ask if you have questions about emergency

preparedness; don’t wait for a real emergency

Documents

Emergency Preparedness Healthcare Workers. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0609 Session Objectives You will be able to: Identify workplace hazards that