IMS9.4.7.1 Emergency Evacuation Onshore Locations Procedure

1.0   SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

• Staff members must not place themselves at unnecessary risk when trying to fight a fire.
• Staff are to obey instructions given by wardens.
• Once evacuated, staff are not to re-enter building until the ‘all clear’ is given by an authorised warden.

2.0   SCOPE

The following information applies to all staff, in all depots and covers what actions are to be taken in the event of an Emergency Evacuation, such as but not limited to;

• Fire
• Bomb threats
• Hazardous substance leaks

The wardens are

Chief Warden - Operations/Maintenance Manager

Area Warden 1 - On duty office staff

Area Warden 2 - Workshop Manager, or person acting in position

Each site is to prepare and display a current site plan detailing location of alarm, emergency exits and assembly points.

3.0   PROCEDURE

3.1   Fire

1. In the event of a fire, attempt to use fire extinguisher only if safe to do so. All fires must be reported immediately to a Supervisor.
2. The evacuation alarm is to be activated when a fire is detected. The location of the alarm is detailed on the site plan.
3. Staff members MUST not place themselves in any danger to fight a fire.
4. If the Alarm is battery operated then the battery is to be checked on a weekly basis by the Operations Managers and replaced quarterly or when they start to run low.

3.2   Evacuation of Building

1. When an evacuation alarm or verbal evacuation sounds all staff must leave their areas immediately and quickly and calmly proceed to the nominated assembly area obeying any directions given by their wardens.
2. Staff members must remain at the Assembly Area until authorised otherwise by Wardens or Fire Brigade.
3. All Vehicle Movement in site must stop, unless directed otherwise by Wardens or other authorised personnel.

3.3   Chief & Area Warden Duties

The duties and responsibilities of the wardens are as follows:

If the Chief Warden is absent from the depot, Area Warden 1 is to assume the responsibilities of the Chief Warden.

3.3.1 Chief Warden

Determine the Nature of the Emergency.

1. In the case of a fire, attempt to extinguish the fire, if it is safe to do so.
2. If the Wardens cannot deal with the emergency, phone the Fire Brigade for assistance immediately.
3. Sound the alarm throughout the building warning staff of the fire.
4. Evacuate the staff from their designated area to the nominated assembly area. Doors must be closed once a room has been cleared.
5. Switch off the power to the depot.
6. Ensure that the Emergency Evacuation Procedure has been followed.
7. Confirm that all staff are accounted for by liaising with Area Wardens.

3.3.2 Area Warden

Determine the nature of the emergency.

1. In the case of a fire, attempt to extinguish the fire, if it is safe to do so.
2. Evacuate the staff of their designated are to the nominated assembly area. Doors must be closed once a room has been cleared.
3. Advise that their relative sections are clear and all staff are accounted for to the Chief Warden.

3.4   Bomb Threat

1. Any threat of a bomb on the premises / vehicle is to be taken seriously.
2. When taking the phone call you must remain calm and obtain as many details as possible from the caller and write the information down.
3. The information from the call is to be passed on to the Police, Area Manager, Operations Manager’s and Supervisors immediately. It is the Area Manager’s responsibility to notify the Directors immediately and keep them informed of the situation.
4. Should a particular location be threatened the alarm must be raised as per 1.2 and staff members evacuated immediately as per section 2.

3.4.1 Evacuating and checking of vessels

1. If a bomb threat involves a vessel, the Master must be notified immediately by the depot on the radio system. Details of the threat are to be communicated over Phone when ever possible to avoid alerting passengers of traveling on other vehicles.
2. The driver must remain calm and follow the instructions given by the depot or police.
3. If the driver receives a bomb threat directly, they must report it immediately, via the two-way radio, to the depot and await instructions.
4. If the threat is deemed to be genuine masters are to evacuate passengers from the vessel. This is to be done by safely stopping the vessel at the nearest location and evacuating the passengers , moving them well away from the pontoon.
5. Under no circumstances is anyone to interfere with any suspicious objects, luggage or bags.

Note – Masters are not to put themselves or any other person at unnecessary risk.

3.4.2 Depot Emergency Drills

1. Depot Emergency Evacuation Drills are to be conducted twice per annum to ensure that all staff are familiar with the Evacuation Procedure. In a Depot Emergency Evacuation Drill staff are to follow procedure as listed in section 2 and 3.
2. A Record of all practices is to be detailed in the Evacuation Record by the Operations Manager or other person conducting the drill.
3. The efficiency of the procedure is to be reviewed at the conclusion of each drill by Wardens and management.

4.0   TRAUMA COUNSELING

1. If Trauma Counseling is required it can be sought as detailed in EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE POLICY (EAP)
2. Employees involved in serious accidents / incidents must be discretely offered the option to see a Trauma Counselor by their Supervisor. Refer to Employee Assistance Policy.
3. Employees have the right to decline Trauma Counseling and are not to be forced by other staff members to seek counseling.
4. If at a later date an employee wishes to seek Trauma Counseling, after first declining, the service must be made available.
5. When counseling is required the Trauma Counselor must be contacted on the number found on the Emergency or Major Incident Report.

5.0   REVIEW

After an emergency or drill the procedures are to be reviewed by the Wardens, management at the depot and any other interested parties to ensure the procedure effectiveness in dealing with the identified situations.