Using Technology to Aid
in Emergency Management
After the effects of Sandy, it is evident that with
today’s inclement weather, workplace emergency preparedness for businesses
small to large is a must. From Business Continuity
Plans to Inclement Weather Policies, all businesses need to plan ahead. We will look at today’s technology – APS
available on your androids, iPhones, tablets and online tools to utilize in
making your development and implementation process less stressful.
A new “buzz” on technology has erupted into emergency management
from smartphone technology APS, online toolkits to web mapping technologies
that assist in the development and enhancement of situational awareness to
create “Intelligent Emergency Management” solutions. These tools and aids do not eliminate the
need to develop written policies and procedures and workplace incident specific
training and drills for the workplace.
APPS on our iPhones, tablets and android devices and RSS
Feeds to our emails are becoming a popular way of staying on top of everything
in our lives. Environment Canada
provides e-blasts to let you know of upcoming and current weather conditions to
help you prepare. FEMA has developed an APP that provides preparedness information
for different types of disaster situations.
A few other APPS for iPhones and Androids are:
·
NFPA
1600 2007 Edition – This app provides disaster/emergency
management and business continuity programs for your business
·
Incident
Control Room – software to plan and prepare emergency
management/natural disaster planning
·
SituationWare –
Real-time Emergency Planning and Emergency Response Planning tool.
·
Send Word Now – provides an alert
response system platform to quickly execute and track alerts to landlines and
mobile devices.
This
list is in no way exhaustive nor an endorsement of the above APPS or tools.
Toolkits
and templates are abundant on the internet, from free guides to purchased
toolkits to finding a consultant to come in and complete the project for you. These are all personal choices based on the
amount of time and resources one has internally in the workplace.
·
Canadian
Centre for Occupational Health and Safety – Emergency Planning
·
Centres
for Disease Control and Prevention – Emergency Response
Resources ***
·
Safework
Newfoundland & Labrador – Emergency Preparedness’ and Response
PDF
·
Public
Safety Council – links to provincial Emergency Management
Planning
With the increased number of storms, the velocity of
these storms and severity of the damage we have seen across North America,
advanced business continuity and emergency planning is critical. OHSA and OSHA
both require businesses to have emergency planning and training in place that
are incident specific. They must include
such things as:
·
Workplace Hazard Lists
·
Personal Response for Maintenance
·
Fuel Source Hazard Response
·
Housekeeping
·
Escape and Route Assignments
·
Procedures for Employees who Remain at the Scene
·
Procedures to Account for Employees
·
Rescue and Medical Duties
·
Procedures for Reporting Emergencies
·
Contacts for Further Information
·
Alarm Systems
·
Evacuation Procedures
·
Training of Workers and Emergency Personnel
This list is not exhaustive and will depend greatly on
the results of your hazard assessment and gap analysis of current procedures,
policies and training in your organizations.
Your emergency planning should also take into account persons with
disabilities – clients, guests, employees and suppliers that may be onsite
during an emergency. In Ontario – The
AODA requires a review and update of policies and procedures under the General
Standard as of this year – 2013.
Lynne Bard, BA (Honours), C.H.R.P., CES
Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management Experts
Taking the Complexity out of Compliance
President
Beyond Rewards Inc.
Phone: 519-821-7440
Cell: 519-830-7480
mail: lbard@beyondrewards.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment