Emergency Response

José A. Carpena, PE
Area Director
Puerto Rico Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health Administration

2005 SWRI Annual Meeting

OSHA and its Regions
 Workplace Emergency

An unforeseen situation that threatens your

employees, customers, or the public, disrupts
or shuts down your operations, or causes
physical or environmental damage.
 Types of Emergency

• Earthquakes
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Energy/utility outages
• Fire hazards
• Hazardous materials releases
• Terrorism
Workplace Emergency
Reporting and alerting emergencies

• Employees must know how

to report emergencies

• "911" is a common method

for reporting emergencies
if external emergency
personnel are used at your
workplace
 Workplace Emergency
OSHA’s Recordkeeping and Reporting

• Fatality: Death of one or more employees from a work-

related incident
• Catastrophe: In-patient hospitalization of three or
more employees as a result of a work-related incident
Emergency Preparedness
Essential elements of emergency preparedness
planning:

• Identify hazards and assess risk.

• Assess capabilities and resources.
• Develop an emergency plan and procedures.
• Integrate the plan with the community plan.
• Conduct training.
• Public relations.
• Conduct Drills and Exercises.
• Develop Plan Audit Procedures.
 OSHA’s Response Plans

• National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP)

• Regional Emergency Management Plan (REMP)
OSHA’s Response to Emergency

• To assist local response agencies in

any way possible within agency
capabilities (Non-enforcement)
• To initiate workplace investigation
(Enforcement)
Non-enforcement role vs. Enforcement
World Trade Center after 9-11

Construction site
 Incident Command System

INCIDENT COMMANDER

SAFETY INFORMATION

LIAISON

FINANCE/
OPERATIONS PLANNING LOGISTICS ADMINISTRATION
OSHA Requirements for Emergency
Response and Preparedness in
Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
General Requirements for all Workplaces
 29 CFR 1926.23: First Aid Training:
and Medical attention, – In the absence of readily
and accessible medical services,
 1926.50: Medical services a person with a valid
certificate in first aid
and first aid
training
Procedures:
– Ensure medical personnel is
available for consultation
and advice on occupational
health matters
– Provide suitable facilities for
quick drenching and
flushing of the eye
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Additional Requirements for Workplaces referenced in other standards

 29 CFR 1926.35: Training:

Employee emergency – Review emergency action plan
action plan with each employee when the
plan is developed,
Procedures: responsibilities shift, or the
– Prepare and implement a emergency procedures change.
written action plan that – Provide specific training to
includes: employees who are expected to
• Emergency escape assist in evacuation
procedures
• Procedures for those who
remain to conduct critical
operations
• Means of reporting fires
and emergencies
• Procedures to account for
employees after the
emergency
OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response
and Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
General Requirements for all Workplaces

 29 CFR 1926.34: Means of

egress
Procedures:
– Maintain unobstructed
egress from every
building and structure
where employees are
working
– Mark all exits with signs
and mark access to exits
where it is not
immediately apparent how
to exit
OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response
and Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
General Requirements for all Workplaces
 29 CFR 1926.24: Fire
protection and
prevention,
 1926.150: Fire protection
 1926.151: Fire prevention
Procedures:
– Develop fire protection
program
– Provide fire extinguishers
and other firefighting
equipment
Training:
– If a fire brigade is
necessary, adequately train
them.
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926

Additional Requirements for Specific Workplaces/Operations

 29 CFR 1926.64: PSM of

highly hazardous
chemicals
 29 CFR 1926.65:
HazWoper, Emergency
response to hazardous
substance releases
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Additional Requirements for Specific Workplaces/Operations
 29 CFR 1926.651: – Provide and ensure the use
Specific excavation of a safety harness and
requirements lifeline when employee(s)
perform work in bell-bottom
Procedures:
pier holes or similar deep
– Provide emergency rescue and confined footing
equipment when an excavations
excavation contains or
potentially contains a
hazardous atmosphere
– Ensure that person(s) attend
the equipment in case of
emergency.
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Additional Requirements for Specific Workplaces/Operations

 29 CFR 1926.800:
Underground
construction
Procedures:
– Develop and maintain a
check-in/check-out procedure
– Provide means to summon
emergency assistance Training:
– Ensure monitoring is – Instruct employees on fire
performed prevention and emergency
– Select, provide, and make procedures
available approved self- – Ensure rescue teams are
rescuers familiar with jobsite
conditions
– Qualify rescue team members
at least annually
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Additional Requirements for Specific Workplaces/Operations
 29 CFR 1926.950: Power
Transmission and
Distribution
Procedures:
– Provide spotlights or
portable lights for
emergency lighting when
needed to work safely at
night
Training:
– Provide training and ensure
that employees understand
emergency procedures and
first aid fundamentals,
including CPR
Exposure to
silica dust in
construction
work
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Requirements that Support Emergency Response and Preparedness

 29 CFR 1926.55: Gases, vapors, fumes, dust, and mists

Procedures:
– Ensure that employee exposures do not exceed the limits
provided by the standard.
– Exposures should be limited through engineering controls,
administrative controls, and, as a last resort, PPE

 29 CFR 1926.59: Hazard Communication

 29 CFR 1926.103: Respiratory Protection
 29 CFR 1926.1103: 13 Carcinogens
 29 CFR1926.1117: Vinyl chloride
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Additional Requirements for Specific Workplaces/Operations
 29 CFR 1926.60: Training:
Methylenedianiline (MDA) – Provide employees with info
Procedures: and training on MDA, IAW
– Develop and implement a 1910.1200(h)
written plan for emergency – Ensure employees who
situations where there is a must wear respiratory
possibility of an emergency: protection, receive training
• Identify emergency escape as per 1910.134
routes before construction
begins
• Equipped employees with
PPE and clothing until
emergency is abated
• Include elements
prescribed in 1910.38 and
1910.39
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response
and Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Health Hazard Related Standards: Cadmium (Cd)
29 CFR 1926.1127: Cadmium Training:
– Wrecking, demolishing, and –Provide training to include
salvaging structures emergency procedures, prior to/at
–Cutting, brazing, grinding, or the time of initial assignment to a
welding job involving potential exposure to
Cd
Procedures:
–Ensure employees who must wear
–Develop and implement a written
respiratory protection receive
plan training (29 CFR 1910.134)
–Select and provide appropriate
respirators for emergencies

DANGER...CADMIUM...CANCER HAZARD...CAN
CAUSE LUNG AND KIDNEY DISEASE...
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY...RESPIRATORS
REQUIRED IN THIS AREA
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Requirements that Support Emergency Response and Preparedness

 29 CFR 1926.28: Personal

Protection Equipment
(PPE)
 29 CFR 1926.95: Criteria
for PPE
Procedures:
– Provide and ensure the use
and maintenance of
appropriate PPE for site
operations and hazards
– Ensure any employee-
owned equipment is
adequately and properly
maintained
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926

For additional information on Emergency Preparedness, visit

OSHA’s web site at www.osha.gov
and select “Safety and Health Topics”

Emergency preparedness
 U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety & Health Administration

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"Worker safety and health is a critical element of our In Focus Standards
nation's domestic preparedness and emergency response Responders
efforts." - John Henshaw  What's New General
 OSHA eTools Worksites
Specialty topics include, Chemical, Biological, Bioterrorism, National
Radiation, Personal Protective Equipment, Training and Response
Education, Safety Equipment. System
Additional
The following questions link to resources that provide safety and health information relevant Assistance
to Emergency Preparedness and Response materials in the workplace. Credits

What standards apply?

OSHA Standards | Preambles to OSHA Standards | Directives | More

What tools are available for Responders?

First Responders | First Receivers | Skilled Support Personnel | Safety Officers |
More

What tools are available for General Worksites?

Emergency Action Plans | Evacuation Matrix | Fire/Explosion Matrix |
ReadyBusiness | More

How does OSHA support the National Response System?

Worker S&H Annex | NRP | NEMP | Inside the Green Line | More

Where can I find additional information?

DHS | DOL | White House | CDC/NIOSH | NIC | USPS | More

In Focus

What's New
eTools Home : Evacuation Plans and Procedures PDF | Viewing / Printing Instructions | Credits

This eTool will help small, low-hazard service or retail businesses implement an emergency action plan, and comply with OSHA's
emergency standards.

The eTool is not an OSHA standard or regulation, and it creates no legal obligations. Likewise, the eTool does not eliminate or limit
any obligations that may be created by the OSH Act or by OSHA standards or regulations.

Workplace Evaluation | Emergency Action Plan | Expert Systems | Additional Assistance | Site Map

eTools Home : Evacuation Plans and Procedures PDF | Viewing / Printing Instructions | Credits
eTools Home : Evacuation Plans and Procedures Viewing / Printing Instructions | Credits

OSHA's Expert System - Emergency Action Plan

START OVER | EXIT

Introduction to the Emergency Action Plan Expert System
Disclaimer

An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written document required by particular OSHA standards. The
purpose of an EAP is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace
emergencies. The elements of the plan must include, but are not limited to:

 Evacuation procedures and emergency escape route assignments.

 Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before
they evacuate.
 Procedures to account for all employees after an emergency evacuation has been completed.
 Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them.
 Means of reporting fires and other emergencies.
 Names or job titles of persons who can be contacted for further information or explanation of
duties under the plan.

This expert system will help you to create a simple EAP. This basic plan will be adequate for needs of
many small and medium-sized entities. This basic plan may not be adequate for large establishments or
those with more significant hazards. Users in such establishments should consider the special
characteristics of their workplaces. Users can supplement this basic plan to address any situations that
require special attention.

Most small and medium-sized entities will get their basic plans from this system in 10 to 15 minutes.
Please remember that this system does not save the plan it helps you to write, so you should save and/or
print your plan when it is completed.

This OSHA Expert only provides information based on Federal OSHA Emergency Action Plan requirements.
If you are covered by a state OSHA plan you may need to contact your local state OSHA office.

Please visit the OSHA Expert User Guide to obtain further instruction.

Workplace Evaluation | Emergency Action Plan | Expert Systems | Additional Assistance | Site Map
 OSHA Requirements for Emergency Response and
Preparedness in Construction Industry
29 CFR 1926
Health Hazard Related Standards: Asphalt Fumes

Methods for reducing

asphalt fume exposure:
– Substituting low fume
asphalt
– Isolate process and
minimize generation of
fumes
– Control devices for
reducing asphalt fume
emissions
– Training and education
– Proper use of PPE