Evacuation Training from SafetyVideos.com

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide to workplace emergency evacuation procedures, emphasizing the importance of preparation, teamwork, and awareness. It covers roles such as evacuation wardens, the need for familiarity with evacuation routes, and how to respond during various emergency scenarios, including fires, high-rise evacuations, and hazardous materials incidents. The video highlights the critical steps to take before, during, and after an evacuation, ensuring employees understand their responsibilities to keep themselves and their coworkers safe during a crisis.

Takeaways

• 😀 Know your role in an evacuation—evacuation wardens, stay-behind personnel, and evacuees all have critical responsibilities.
• 😀 Familiarize yourself with your facility's emergency action plan, including evacuation routes, assembly points, and alarm signals.
• 😀 Be prepared to evacuate quickly and calmly when you hear the evacuation alarm; do not delay to grab personal belongings.
• 😀 Never use elevators during an emergency—always use stairs to evacuate safely.
• 😀 Assist those in immediate danger if you can do so safely, but leave rescue operations to trained emergency responders.
• 😀 Know at least two evacuation routes and alternate exits from your work area in case one becomes blocked.
• 😀 In a fire, stay low to avoid smoke and heat, and never open a hot door. Always use alternate exits if necessary.
• 😀 During a hazardous materials emergency, put on the required personal protective equipment (PPE) and evacuate to an appropriate location.
• 😀 If you are in a high-rise building, evacuate only the floors directly affected by the emergency and follow specific instructions.
• 😀 After evacuating, move away from the building and report to your designated assembly point to ensure you're accounted for.

Q & A

What role do evacuation wardens play during an emergency evacuation?

Evacuation wardens are co-workers who volunteer to take responsibility for helping everyone evacuate the building safely. They check offices, bathrooms, and other spaces to ensure everyone has left, assist those with special needs, and are among the last to leave the building.

Why is it important to familiarize yourself with the emergency action plan before an evacuation?

Familiarizing yourself with the emergency action plan in advance ensures that you know the procedures, including where the exits are, what alarms sound like, and the locations of assembly points, which can save precious time and help you react appropriately in an emergency.

What should you do if you hear the evacuation alarm during an emergency?

When the evacuation alarm sounds, immediately begin to follow evacuation procedures. This includes leaving the building quickly and in an orderly manner, not using elevators, and assisting others if possible while staying calm.

Why should you avoid using elevators during an emergency evacuation?

Elevators should be avoided during evacuations because they can become inoperative or dangerous due to fire or power failure, and they may expose evacuees to greater risks in case of smoke or fire.

How should you behave when evacuating a building with a fire emergency?

During a fire, stay low to avoid smoke and heat, never open hot doors, and if you must move through smoke or flame, crawl on the floor where the air is cooler and cleaner.

What is the difference in evacuation procedures for a high-rise building compared to a regular building?

In high-rise buildings, the focus is on evacuating the floors immediately surrounding the emergency, such as the affected floor and the floors above and below it. This prevents the need to evacuate the entire building, which can be physically demanding and time-consuming.

What precautions should you take if there is an explosion during an evacuation?

If there's an explosion, avoid windows and anything that could shatter or fall. If debris starts falling, take shelter under a sturdy object like a desk or table, and do not attempt to rescue others; leave that to emergency responders.

How should you respond in the event of a hazardous material spill or leak?

In the case of a hazardous materials incident, follow your emergency action plan, put on any specified personal protective equipment, avoid inhaling fumes or vapors, and go to an assembly point that is upwind or upstream from the contamination.

Why is it important to report any blocked exits or broken alarms before an evacuation?

Blocked exits or broken alarms can delay evacuation, potentially putting lives at risk. Reporting these issues ahead of time ensures the facility is ready for a smooth evacuation during an emergency.

What should you do if you suspect you've been exposed to hazardous materials during an evacuation?

If you suspect exposure to hazardous materials, report it immediately when you reach the assembly point, even if you don't feel symptoms right away. Prompt treatment is crucial, as some effects may not be immediately apparent.