This HSE procedure for the “Emergency Response Procedures for Fire or Explosion” is being uploaded in the Word editable format for Worldwide site visitors and health and safety professionals.
Procedural Steps
- In case of a fire involving an individual’s clothing, do not run since it might accelerate the fire. Stop, drop onto the ground with hands covering your face, and roll to extinguish the fire. If possible, use the safety shower to extinguish the fire.
- In case of a lab fire or explosion, ensure your safety first and call emergency responders immediately for help.
- Evacuate the building safely and pull fire alarms or notify nearby people, if possible.
- Do not use elevators. Use stairs and locate the nearest exit.
- If possible, shut down the electric power before evacuating.
- Use a wet towel to cover the mouth and nose, if there is heavy smoke.
- If it is safe to bring the situation under control without endangering life, environment, or health, then the use of a fire extinguisher, shut off a leaking valve, use of sand to form a dike, or use of spill kit may be enough. This shall be done by competent personnel like fire marshals.
- Inform and Notify the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Officer / ER Team and ask for instructions.
- If the situation cannot be brought under control as described above, immediately leave the affected area and notify the Fire Station Tel: [911/999, etc.] EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES FOR FIRE OR EXPLOSION (Response time to arrive at the site is between 10-15 minutes)
- Rush to the nearest assembly point. Use designated escape routes.
- Arrange for someone to meet the Emergency Response Agencies like Police/
- Ambulance, and provide them with information and appropriate assistance when they arrive at the site. (Free access to the site must be provided to these agencies.)
- In case of a major incident requiring campus-wide evacuation, the fire alarm siren will be sounded repeatedly for 5 minutes. EHS Officer will be dispatched to the assembly point and will establish a COMMAND POST there to further inform and/or direct students, employees, visitors, and contractors to safe areas.
- For the entire duration of the emergency, any of the EHS and Emergency team members will be responsible to make or receive telephone calls. The assembly point will become the command center that should be manned by at least one person in this type of emergency.
- During and after the emergency, unauthorized personnel to the site will be restricted. However, personnel from the Emergency Response Agencies will be provided unobstructed access to the site.
- The Fire Marshals will ensure that all personnel has evacuated the site/building, headcount has been taken and missing students, employees, contractors, and/or their guests accounted for. They will ensure that employees stay within the assembly area. They will give the headcount information to the EHS Team and coordinate with them all necessary actions. They will give the “ALL CLEAR” signal and allow students, employees, contractors, and visitors to re-enter the site/building.