11.00 – Emergency Preparedness

POLICY

Griffin Properties will ensure all operating locations have the necessary emergency response plans, equipment, communication devices and training for the prevention and mitigation of any fire and/or emergency situations.

PURPOSE

Emergency preparedness means having plans in place that we hope we will never have to use. Griffin Properties will ensure that all jobsites have plans in place to deal with emergency situations particular to the types of hazards identified. At minimum, each job site will be capable of providing:

  1. First aid to an injured worker
  2. Transportation to a medical facility
  3. Means of contacting outside agencies for assistance
  4. Means of conducting an initial attack on fire

The site supervisor is responsible for the development of emergency procedures for any unusual hazards or tasks that employees may encounter. 

At minimum, the site supervisor will ensure that all emergency preparedness information is readily available and that our employees are given a site orientation to ensure they are aware of:

  1. Location of emergency equipment such as:
    • First aid supplies,
    • Fire extinguishers
  2. Location of communication device and contact numbers for contacting outside assistance
  3. Location of SDS sheets
  4. Escape route and muster point
  5. Emergency phone numbers

GENERAL

  1. All fuel/power shut-offs and emergency exits will be clearly marked and kept free of obstructions at all times.
  2. Appropriate emergency communication devices will be kept readily available at each operational worksite as a means of:
    • alerting site personnel
    • contacting outside assistance
  3. All emergency contact numbers will be kept accurate and made available to all workers during regularly scheduled work hours.
  4. The site supervisor or designate will maintain an awareness of the number of employees onsite at all times and will be able to provide an accurate head-count in the event of an emergency.

REGULAR WORKSITES

  1. The site supervisor or designate will ensure a detailed plan specific to the needs of each regular worksite in operation is created/completed, including but not limited to:
    • site information
    • emergency contact information
    • key locations (first aid equipment/room, emergency personnel meeting point, and muster stations)
    • how to call for first aid
    • fire response
    • evacuation
  2. All findings will be documented on the Emergency Response Plan and posted in accordance with established company procedure. (Safety Program)
  3. The site supervisor or designate will ensure annual drills are held at all operational worksites to ensure awareness and effectiveness of the emergency response plan; all results will be communicated to workers at the next safety meeting. (Safety Meetings)

TEMPORARY WORKSITES

  1. Employees working outside regular worksite locations will be provided with contact information for the following:
    • emergency services
    • head office
    • WorkSafeBC

FIRE PREVENTION

  1. The site supervisor or designate will determine appropriate fire extinguisher locations at all regular worksites; these locations will be marked with a sign in writing or by a picture.
  2. All fire extinguishers will be:
    • class ABC
    • kept in good working condition
    • readily available
    • tagged to indicate an annual inspection by a qualified person/agency
    • stamped to indicate a 5-year certification by a qualified person/agency

FIRE RESPONSE

The following steps will be taken when a fire is noticed:

  • never turn your back on the fire
  • attempt to extinguish the fire if safe to do so
  • if the fire cannot be controlled, invoke the evacuation plan
  • close all doors and shut off electricity/fuel sources if safe to do so
  • evacuate

EVACUATION

Evacuation will occur as follows:

  • whoever notices the emergency situation will notify everybody onsite of the emergency in accordance with the site-specific emergency response plan
  • everybody onsite will proceed directly to the assigned muster station(s) in an orderly fashion
  • everybody will remain at their muster station until otherwise directed
  • the site supervisor or designate will ensure emergency services have been notified and given instructions for safe site access

PROCEDURES

General
  1. All emergency contact numbers will be kept accurate and posted in a visible location, near relevant communication devices.
  2. All workers working at an operating location will receive a complete jobsite orientation. (Orientations)
  3. All fuel/power shut-offs and emergency exits will be clearly marked and kept free of obstructions at all times.
  4. The site supervisor or designate will ensure a record of site attendance is kept daily and is available to emergency personnel as soon as possible in the event of an emergency.
Fire

The following steps will be taken when a fire is noticed:

  • never turn you back to the fire
  • attempt to extinguish the fire if safe to do so
  • shut off electricity and fuel sources if safe to do so
  • if the fire cannot be controlled, invoke the site-specific emergency response plan
Site Specific Emergency Response Plan

A detailed emergency response plan specific to the needs of each jobsite will be completed and posted by the site supervisor or designate, including but not limited to:

  • site information
  • emergency contact information
  • location of first aid facilities
  • location of muster station(s)
  • methods of communication with first aid
  • evacuation procedures
Evacuation

In case of emergency, the following evacuation steps will be followed:

  1. whoever notices the emergency situation will notify or alert everybody onsite of the emergency with 3 blasts of the air horn all personnel will proceed from the work area directly to the assigned muster station
  2. all personnel will remain at the muster station until otherwise directed
  3. the site supervisor or designate will ensure emergency personnel or outside agencies have been notified
  4. the foreman of each sub-trade will take attendance and provide to the site supervisor or designate
Fire Extinguishers
  1. Fire extinguishers will be class ABC, kept in good working condition and readily available for use on each floor of a structure, and in or near areas where the risk of fire exists.
  2. All fire extinguisher locations will be marked with a sign in writing or by picture that clearly indicates that it is a designated fire extinguisher location.
  3. Fire extinguishers will be inspected as per established company policy/procedures. (Inspections)
  4. All extinguishers will be serviced by an authorized company on an annual basis; the service tags will remain on the fire extinguishers until they are removed from service.
Communication Devices
  1. The following communication devices will be kept at each jobsite:
    • telephone
    • air horns
  2. Communication devices will be kept in good working condition and air horns will be readily available on each floor of a structure.
Drills

At least once each year emergency drills will be held at each worksite to ensure awareness and effectiveness of emergency/evacuation procedures.

Training

All employees will receive documented onsite training of the following:

  • policy, procedures, and site-specific
11.3 Emergency Response Plan – FORMDownload
11.5 Emergency Test FORMDownload