Sometimes accidents happen and you have to be prepared to handle emergency situations as they occur.  Expect the unexpected.  Working on various jobsites causes additional challenges to emergency preparedness.  At the start of each and every job, make sure you know the following:

·                     The location of all exits.

·                     Your evacuation route.

·                     Assembly point after evacuation.

·                     The location of the closest fire extinguisher. 

·                     The location of the closest medical emergency facility.

·                     Location of first aid materials.

In addition, make sure all emergency phone numbers are kept near the phones.

Know the risks involved in your work area: 

·                     Flammable liquids and the way in which they could catch fire.

·                     Electrical hazards that could cause fire.

·                     Toxic chemical vapors in the air.

·                     Reactive chemicals and what causes them to react.

·                     Explosive hazards and what causes them to explode.

If an emergency occurs, you must be ready to act quickly and properly.  OSHA requires the following basic components to be part of your emergency contingency plan:

·                     Know how to report a fire, spill or other incident.

·                     Recognize the sound of the emergency alarm.

·                     If you have emergency response responsibilities (for example, administer first aid), be ready to perform your duties.

·                     If you don’t have emergency response responsibilities, do not get in the way of people assigned to respond.

·                     Alert other people around you to evacuate.

·                     Follow your assigned evacuation route and meet at your assigned assembly point.

To keep an emergency from becoming a disaster, everyone must remain calm and follow emergency procedures.