Introduction Workplace safety in the workplace is to ensure all reasonable steps are taken by a company to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees in the event of any incidents or emergencies that may occur at any office location.
A safety officer will be nominated at each company location, the safety officer primary responsibilities are but not limited to:
Promote an awareness of safety among all employees.
Evacuation drills will be randomly practiced.
Define an appropriate assemble point.
To discover unsafe working conditions or practices.
Training programs on the usage of fire extinguishers, first aid, evacuation procedure, etc.
Employees with safety concerns are encouraged to contact the Safety Officer so that the problem can be investigated, analyzed, and alternative methods for resolving is identified for action.
Definitions
Emergency: Any event that arises internally or from external sources, which may adversely affect the safety of persons in a building or the community generally and requires immediate response by the occupants.
Safety: is the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.
Security: is the state of being protected or safe from danger or threat.
Emergency Code Levels The Emergency Code levels will consist of three (3) types based on the initial assessment as follows:
RED (severe) A RED Level incident is a very serious situation with the possibility of developing into a crisis situation involving fatalities or multiple serious injuries and/or serious acts of terrorism. A RED Level incident will activate predetermined responses from the Safety Officer and will require concern public authorities. A full evacuation of a facility will be activated in this type of incident.
YELLOW (serious) A YELLOW Level incident is a serious situation that will require MEDICAL assistant of an employee in CARDIAC ARREST or DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR. A YELLOW Level incident will require the Safety Officer to contact a medical ambulance and/or the concern security authorities.
GREEN (low) A GREEN level incident is a low risk situation which may be characterized as lack of water in facilities, road accident preventing employees from coming to office, phone system failure, etc. This is where the incident presents NO DANGER to employees.
Exhibit 1: Emergency Code Levels
Emergency Assessment Checklist The emergency assessment checklist outlines various assessment and action criteria that can be used by the Safety Officer to assist in determining response actions. It is vitally important that once the emergency has been dealt with, all aspects of response and subsequent actions be fully documented.
Exhibit 2: Emergency Assessment Checklist
Work Area Risks Work Area Risks will be identified, and warnings posted including instructions to be followed and means of protection:
Fire Fighting Equipment will be provided, and its location marked.
First Aid Cabinets will be provided in strategic locations.
Work Areas are to be kept clean.
Employees training will be conducted regularly in the use of safety & protection devices.
Smoking is prohibited in company premises.
At least two employees will be trained in First Aid & Fire Fighting Equipment.
Evacuation Procedure
All employees WILL IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the building when the alarm sound is activated, and/or an announcement is made over the intercom. DO NOT PANIC or RUN!
DO NOT USE ELEVATORS in case of a fire or bomb threat, use building stairwells with the designated exit route. Stay close to the walls and cover your nose & mouth with a wet cloth or hand.
All employees will PROCEED TO THE DESIGNATED ASSEMBLY POINTS.
The Safety Officer will take a headcount of all employees after the evacuation.
The Safety Officer will identify the names and last known locations of anyone not accounted for and pass them to the concern public authorities in charge.
Should the incident expand beyond the assembly points, employees will proceed to their homes until further notification.