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Accident Response

Jul 29, 2024

What Does OSHA Consider a Workplace Emergency?

OSHA defines a workplace emergency as any situation that:
  • Threatens workers, customers, or the public
  • Disrupts or shuts down operations
  • Causes physical or environmental damage
These emergencies can be either natural or man-made.
Natural emergencies may include total site exposures such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, winter weather, summer heat, or disease outbreaks. Man-made events can be global or isolated and are issues such as chemical spills or releases, explosions, active shooters, acts of terrorism, or even those caused by individual exposure to job site conditions or individual acts.
 

Regulations Requirements:

Standard Subpart D OSHA Standard 1926.35(a) The emergency action plan shall be in writing and shall cover those designated actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies. 
 
OSHA Standard Subpart D 1926.50(b) Provisions shall be made prior to the commencement of the project for prompt medical attention in case of severe injury. 
 
OSHA Standard Subpart D 1926.50(c) In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician, that is reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance to the worksite, and is available to provide treatment of injured employees, a person who has a valid certificate in first-aid training from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the American Red Cross, or equivalent training that can be verified by documentary evidence, shall be available at the worksite to render first aid. 
 
OSHA Standard Subpart D 1926.50(f)(1) In areas where 911 emergency dispatch services are not available, the telephone numbers of the physicians, hospitals, or ambulances shall be conspicuously posted.
 

Signs, Dos, & Don’ts:

In 2022, employers reported 2.8 million injuries and illnesses, up 7.5 percent from 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of 2022 saw a 5.7% increase in fatal work injuries with 5,486 recorded deaths compared to 5,190 in 2021. 
 
Workers in construction and extraction occupations had the second most fatalities (1,056) in 2022 compared to other occupation groups. Falls, slips or trips were involved in 423 of these fatalities. BLS also noted that the fatality rate for this occupation group increased from 12.3 deaths per 100,000 FTE workers in 2021 to 13 in 2022. 
 
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations had the highest fatality rate (23.5 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers) of all occupational groups in 2022, up from 20 in 2021. 
 
1 in 100 construction workers got injured severely in 2022. 169,600 injuries and illnesses were reported in the construction industry. Construction had the third-highest reported workplace injuries in 2022.
 
If there are 100 employees on your site you will most likely be exposed to a workplace emergency. Are you prepared?
 

Summary OSHA Workplace Emergency Requirements:

1. Do you understand the site emergency action plan?
2. Do you know the process to provide prompt medical attention to an injured employee?
3. Do you know who are the First-Aid CPR-certified providers in your work group?
4. Do you know where the muster point is for your job site?. 
 
If you are a certified emergency provider proceed as you
feel comfortable. If you are not a certified emergency
provider work with everybody to secure access to an
injured employee. There is a 1 in 100 chance services
could be needed by you could be yourself.
 

What You Need to Know: Some Key Responsibilities

1. First and Always Call 911 – Getting Help And Emergency Response Is The First Priority.
How to report any emergency situation. PROVIDE:
  • Address and description of the site location.
  • If a high-angle rescue team is needed.
  • If there is entrapment or confined space issues.
  • If there are any chemical exposures.
  • If there are any fire exposures.
  • If there are any critical response issues (burns, multiple fractures, entrapment, electrocution, unconsciousness).
2. Basic first aid. Who is certified on your team?
3. Contact all appropriate management personnel. Who is your contact on the management team?
4. The procedure for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
5. Where is the nearest muster point?
 
If you do not know what your responsibilities are – stop work and contact your PM, superintendent, or safety representative for clarification.

University of Central Florida. “The Disaster Management Cycle: 5 Key Stages UCF Online.” UCF Online, 18 Aug. 2020, www.ucf.edu/online/leadership-management/news/the-disaster-management-cycle/.

‌“1926.35 – Employee Emergency Action Plans. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.35.

“1926.50 – Medical Services and First Aid. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.50.

“2.8 Million Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in Private Industry in 2022, up 7.5 Percent from 2021 : The Economics Daily: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” Www.bls.gov, www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/2-8-million-workplace-injuries-and-illnesses-in-private-industry-in-2022-up-7-5-percent-from-2021.htm.

‌Bureau of Labor Statistics. National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2022. 19 Dec. 2023.

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