Creating a construction emergency plan involves thorough risk assessment, clear communication, regular training and coordination with local emergency services.
I have often heard people say, “I’ve been doing this for 25 years, I’m not going to get hurt.” This sentiment is common because no one expects to get injured at work, yet accidents happen daily. The construction industry faces various emergencies on job sites, but these incidents often go unnoticed because there is a plan in place.
Action plans are developed for a range of situations, from weather-related events to building collapses. These plans are designed to address potential concerns and preplan responses. You will first have to decide which emergencies to include. I recommend limiting the number of plans you have to keep the information simple. Once you have developed the plan start training. Communication and awareness are the keys to any plan. And, finally, test and evaluate the plan to see if it works!
I’ve provided some thoughts for the three basic steps to make this process easy to complete, along with tips to help you along the way!
1. What Needs to Be in My Plan
Each plan must be specific to the job site, location, and tasks being performed by the contractor. Creating a comprehensive construction emergency plan is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of all workers and stakeholders on a construction site. Here are the key considerations for various types of emergencies:
Weather-Related Emergencies
Identify potential weather hazards such as heavy rain, snow, extreme heat, and lightning. Assess the impact of these hazards on construction activities.
Are you in a flood zone? A high-risk fire area? Is a high heat process involved?
Communication Plan: Establish clear communication channels to disseminate weather warnings and updates. Use alarms, radios, and mobile alerts.
Safety Protocols: Develop protocols for stopping work, securing equipment, and evacuating the site. Ensure all workers are trained in these procedures.
How do we know to stop working? Text, air horn, runner, or all together?
Shelter: Designate safe areas for workers to take shelter during severe weather.
Violence
Conduct regular assessments to identify potential sources of violence, including disgruntled employees or external threats.
What could trigger a violent situation? Drug testing, personalities
Security Measures: Implement security measures such as surveillance cameras, security personnel, and controlled access points.
Training: Provide training on conflict resolution, recognizing signs of potential violence, and emergency response actions.
Courses in de-escalation are available through Employer Assistance Programs.
Emergency Contacts: Maintain a list of emergency contacts, including local law enforcement and medical facilities.
Building Collapse
Regularly inspect the structural integrity of buildings under construction. Address any identified weaknesses immediately.
Evacuation Plan: Develop and practice an evacuation plan specific to building collapse scenarios. Ensure all workers know the evacuation routes and assembly points.
Maps at all exits will help communicate the route. Establishing Muster Points will help with controlling panic in an emergency.
Rescue Operations: Equip the site with the necessary rescue equipment and train workers in how to use it. Coordinate with local emergency services for rapid response.
Fire
Implement fire prevention measures such as proper storage of flammable materials, regular maintenance of electrical systems, and prohibiting smoking in hazardous areas.
Have you checked your building’s life safety fire extinguishers? Have they been moved, knocked over, or discharged?
Fire Detection and Suppression: Install fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers throughout the site. Ensure workers are trained in their use.
Evacuation Drills: Conduct regular fire drills to ensure all workers are familiar with evacuation procedures and routes.
Emergency Response Team: Form an emergency response team trained in firefighting and first aid.
This will need additional training your local fire department might be able to provide you with!
Tornados
Monitor weather reports for tornado watches and warnings. Have a plan in place for immediate action when a warning is issued.
Identify when you should release your site to go home before a tornado. How far out, how fast is it going, and which direction it’s moving should be a factor.
Shelter Areas: Identify and clearly mark tornado shelters on the construction site. These should be sturdy, enclosed areas away from windows.
Drills: Conduct regular tornado drills to ensure workers know how to reach shelter areas quickly and safely.
Post-Tornado Procedures: Establish procedures for assessing damage and accounting for all workers after a tornado.
Mental Health Emergencies
Promote mental health awareness and provide training on recognizing signs of mental health crises.
Identifying employees that are willing to talk with employees in their time of need will help!
Support Systems: Establish support systems such as access to mental health professionals, employee assistance programs, and peer support groups.
List out your local resources ahead of time.
Crisis Intervention: Develop a crisis intervention plan that includes steps for safely addressing mental health emergencies and providing immediate support.
Confidentiality: Ensure that all mental health interventions are conducted with respect for the individual’s privacy and confidentiality.
Communication
When communicating with the public it is recommended you speak with one voice. This should not be someone involved in the direct coordination of the incident or emergency. It should be some who has training in media relationships and understands some of the “pitfalls” responses can lead you too. Usually, HR or public affairs personnel will handle this with legal counsel.
Within the Company: With all emergencies there will be a level of chaos that you will be exposed to. Your incident commander or main point of contact will be critical to reduce this chaos. He or She should put out critical information and insure everyone that resources are being used to complete the investigation to get accurate information.
Family: I would recommend using professional services for this section. Your employee assistance program, local trade union and even religious chapters can help provide comfort to those affected in the emergency.
Employee Rights: Employees will usually have the right to share their story. We want to make sure they can exercise that right, but they also have the right to decline speaking with the media. Sometimes they could say something that can be taken out of context. A suggestion to refer the media to the spokesperson is always recommended.
2. How to Get the Word Out
Once we have sat down with our teams and created a perfect plan for everything, we need to find our most effective way to communicate the plan and train our workforce.
Classroom Training
Use presentations to explain the action plan in detail. Include visual aids like slides, videos, and diagrams to enhance understanding.
Interactive Sessions: Encourage questions and discussions to ensure workers fully grasp the procedures and their roles.
Hands-On Drills
Conduct regular drills that simulate different emergency situations, such as fires, severe weather, or building collapses. This helps workers practice action plans in a controlled environment.
Keep this a secret for as long as you can if you genuinely want to test your plan. Of course, let pertinent team members and EMS services know it is a drill.
Role-Playing: Assign specific roles to workers during drills to mimic real-life scenarios. This helps them understand their responsibilities and how to coordinate with others.
Online Training Modules
Develop online courses that workers can complete at their own pace. Include quizzes and interactive elements to reinforce learning.
Webinars: Host live webinars to provide training on the action plan. This allows for real-time interaction and Q&A sessions.
We all learn in different ways. This may not be effective for all employees; however, it might be just what works for others.
Visual Aids and Signage
Display posters and infographics around the site that outline key steps of the action plan. This serves as a constant reminder of the procedures.
Banners, colors, walkways, and lighting will help organize your plan.
Color coding is very effective.
Evacuation Maps: Ensure evacuation routes and assembly points are clearly marked and visible to all workers.
These maps should be posted at every entry and exit pathway as well as throughout your site.
I recommend reviewing portions of this plan and map during every morning huddle.
3. How to Practice and Implement
Once the planning and training are completed, we need to try it out. Only then will you know if your plan will work! Conducting effective evacuation drills is essential for ensuring safety and preparedness in case of emergencies. Here are the key steps to follow:
Planning the Drill
Define what you aim to achieve, such as assessing evacuation times, ensuring alarms are functioning and verifying that everyone knows the evacuation routes.
Develop a Schedule: Conduct drills at regular intervals but vary the timing to ensure preparedness at all times of the day.
Inform Relevant Authorities: Notify local fire departments and security personnel about the drill to prevent unnecessary emergency responses.
Preparation
Inform all participants about the importance of the drill and the procedures to follow. Use visual aids like evacuation maps and instructional videos.
Designate Roles: Assign specific roles to staff members, such as fire wardens, who will guide and assist during the evacuation.
Executing the Drill
Activate the alarm system to initiate the drill. Ensure it is loud enough to be heard throughout the building. Use text programs and auto-dial programs if available.
Simulate Realistic Scenarios: Introduce elements such as blocked exits or “injured” individuals to create a more realistic scenario.
Monitor the Evacuation: Do not be a part of the accountability. Position yourself as an observer to see what’s working and what’s not!
Post-Drill Evaluation
Gather feedback from all participants and hold a debriefing session with all levels on the site for input.
Get opinions from the trades, middle management and senior management to get all viewpoints.
Analyze Data: Use the plus Delta format to learn what works and what needs changed.
Update Procedures: Make necessary adjustments to the evacuation plan based on the drill’s findings. This depends on jobsite changes and sometimes this will be required monthly.
Additional Tips
Regular Practice: Conduct drills regularly to ensure everyone remains familiar with the procedures.
Clear Communication: Ensure that communication during the drill is clear and concise to avoid confusion. Identify who in the organization should communicate outside the site.
Safety First: Always prioritize safety during drills. Ensure that all participants understand the importance of taking the drill seriously.
Conclusion
Creating a construction emergency plan involves thorough risk assessment, clear communication, regular training, and coordination with local emergency services. By addressing potential emergencies such as weather, violence, building collapse, fire, tornadoes, and mental health crises, construction sites can enhance safety and preparedness, protecting the lives and well-being of all workers. Taking the time to complete an effective action plan can help your employees make it home to their loved ones!
Chris Sanders is the vice president of safety with Valley Interior Systems in Columbus, Ohio.
