IMS9.4.7.2 Emergency Evacuation Procedure Marina

1.0   PURPOSE

The principal aim of SeaLink Operational Risk Management System is to prevent loss to People, Equipment, Materials and the Environment.

SeaLink recognises that a residual risk of loss, however small, will still remain, regardless of the effectiveness of the developed system.

SeaLink will therefore develop and maintain the capacity to respond to accidents in such a way as to limit the impact of accidents that do occur.

This Procedure comprises that components of Sealink Risk Management System, which identifies and addresses needs with regards to ensuring that appropriate response to accidents and other emergency events is planned and maintained. This includes resources and planning to deal with medical, first aid incidents, basic fire fighting, basic hazardous material spill containment and clean-up, security incidents.

2.0   SCOPE

This procedure addresses those emergencies with potential for serious harm to people, equipment, materials and/or the environment arising as a consequence of SeaLink operations in the Marina.

3.0   REFERENCES

•  Hazardous Substances Code of Practice 2003

• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2011

• Confined Spaces

• Provision of First Aid to Injured Workers

• Provision of Emergency Evacuation (EMP) Fire Qld Fire & Rescue

There are also standards that have no formal statute or regulatory standard but are nonetheless identified as important in managing SealLnk Operational Risk.

4.0   DEFINITIONS

Nil.

5.0   REQUIREMENTS

5.1   Planning Responsibilities

5.1.1 Development

Responsibility for development of this management plan rests with the HSEQ Manager, supported by the Area Manager.

On completion of the Management Plan, the HSEQ Manager holds responsibility for coordinating and revision by the management team, and gaining Area Manager endorsement.

5.1.2 Technical Review

Other parties provide technical input and review through formal revision with interest in relevant operational risk issues.

For this procedure this has included the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, relevant administering authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency.

This assures a consistency in approach, and facilitates future integration of other operational risk issues into a common Procedure.

5.1.3 Corporate Review

Risk Management planning is a corporate activity that requires equitable participation by all Managers/ Supervisors. The “Management Review Group” is used to provide this corporate review.

5.1.4 Executive Responsibility

Overall responsibility for endorsing and directing implementation of this procedure rests with the Area Manager.

5.1.5 Implementation

At the Area Manager’s directive, implementation at functional and operational levels is the responsibility of the Operations Manager Ferries.

5.1.6 Monitoring & Reviewing

The HSEQ Manager is responsible for the monitoring, effectiveness and reviewing this procedure.

6.0   PLANNING PROCESS

This plan has been structured to address key issues in the following areas:

• Emergency Response requirements – to address identified high risks (per risk assessment) and statutory and legislative compliance requirements.

• The personnel, equipment, and materials resources necessary to meet these requirements.

• Emergency Response procedures, plans, and other supporting documentation.

• Management and coordination of Emergency Preparedness for SeaLink.

6.1   Planning Activity Reviews

• Activities, processes, equipment, materials, machinery, and areas – for their potential to precipitate or be otherwise involved in a situation posing the threat of serious harm.

• Historical data regarding past incidents.

• Existing Emergency Response resources and plans.

• Existing equipment and materials assigned for emergency response.

• Competency of SeaLink personnel exposed to, or expected to react to, emergency situations.

• Equipment maintenance and inspections routines specific to emergency equipment.

• Statutory and other legislative requirements.

6. 2   Responsibility for the System Planning Process

• Area Manager.

• HSEQ Manager.

6.3   Procedure Focus

6.3.1 Objective

• Identify the hazards with potential to inflict serious harm to people, equipment, materials or the environment.

• Achieve and maintain statutory and other regulatory compliance regarding emergency response.

• Define, attain, and maintain organisational performance standards for Emergency Response.

• Identify and address organisational priorities other than the above.

• Define responsibilities and accountabilities under this management system.

• From these activities, ensure that SeaLink has the capacity to initiate appropriate Emergency action in response to situations arising as a consequence of, or encountered during the course of its operations.

6.4   Extraordinary Circumstances

This procedure also recognises and addresses hazards that may be introduced to SeaLink workplace/areas independent of SeaLink actions.

6.4.1 Examples include:

• Non SeaLink employees becoming injured or acutely ill within SeaLink facilities.

• Unplanned/illegal introduction of hazardous substances into Sealink work, or other areas under SeaLink control. These incidents could require SeaLink to remove and/or provide temporary or permanent disposal for substances.

• Aggressive or otherwise threatening personnel within SeaLink facilities or areas of operation.

6.5  Critical Issues and Risk Management Strategies

6.5.1 Administration

• Responsibility for overall administration and coordination of Sealink emergency preparedness systems, procedures and practices is assigned to the Area Manager.

• Responsibility for implementation and maintenance and administration of the emergency preparedness procedures and practices is the responsibility of the HSEQ Manager.

• The stated personnel and other resources must be available and accessible to the identified area during all normal operating hours. This will usually require the provision of appropriately trained back-up personnel to cover absences of others.

This also extends to ensuring that stated emergency equipment and material resources are maintained at all times.

6.6   Provision of First Aid

Issue – All workplaces must have appropriate access to first aid equipment and facilities and trained personnel.

• Each Vessel in the Sealink Marina is equipped with First Aid Facilities.

  • In the event that there are no vessels moored in the Marina, there are First Aid facilities located in the Main Office.

• The HSEQ Manager will be responsible for co-ordinating with the appropriate Managers/ Supervisors to ensure the availability of first aid equipment, facilities and trained personnel and ongoing maintenance of workplaces.

6.7   Specific Hazards

Hazards with potential to inflict serious harm to people or the environment have been identified through a Basic Risk Assessment conducted by the HSEQ Manager supplemented by the input of supervisors, plus a survey of individuals within specific workplaces.

The hazards, which this procedure identifies as critical are: -

• Personal injury.

• Fire and / or Explosion threats.

• Sinking of the Marina Pontoons.

• Fuel/ oil/ hazardous material spills.

• Release of contaminants to the environment.

6.8   Fire/ Bomb Threat

Issue – Personnel utilising the Marina Facilities are exposed to the risk of serious harm arising from fire and/or bomb incidents. 

• Fire

  • In the event of a fire personnel may attempt to extinguish the  fire if safe to do so with the portable fire extinguishers located in multiple locations on and around the marina.

  • If the fire is fire is to large to extinguish with the portable fire extinguishers or an individual is not confident, trained or competent to use the portable fire extinguishers the local fire brigade is to be called via "000" 

• Fire continued;

  • Areas are to be inspected to ensure compliance with current Building Fire Safety Regulations and Building Codes regarding installation and maintenance of fire detection and fire suppression systems, provision of emergency lighting, and designated emergency exits.

• ​Bomb threat

  • ​In the event of a bomb threat personnel are to use the IMS9.4.7.3 Bomb Threat Checklist located on the DataWeb (here)

Note: It is a requirement that all facilities maintain currency with fire detection and suppression standards regardless of the construction date of the facility. (Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Act.)

6.9  Hazardous Material Incidents

Issue – Chemicals and other hazardous materials stored, used, and transported have potential to inflict serious harm to personnel and the environment.

Chemical and Environmental spill kits are located at the top of the marina and are to be used in the event of a spill.

6.10  Vehicle and Machinery Accidents

Issue – Vessels, plant, machinery and various other items of equipment are identified as hazards with potential to inflict serious harm on Sealink employees, and others.

All incidents are to be reported via the DataWeb (here)

6.11   Process / Activity Related Hazards such as Environmental Emergencies, Viral Infection, Electric Shock

Issue – There are a number of hazards associated with particular activities and processes that have potential for serious harm to people and the environment. This includes those hazards for which risk is exaggerated due to personnel working in remote locations, or working outside of normal working hours.

• These hazards include, but are not limited to exposure to hazardous materials, electrocution, exposure to aggressive people, or personal contamination.

• Permits to operate and general operating procedures must include measures to address potential emergency situations through the provision of emergency response personnel and/ or equipment.

• Task and area procedures and work practices must reference these requirements.

• Areas must have access to the listed equipment/ material, and personnel with identified competencies, during all normal working hours. (These may have been fulfilled in meeting other criteria within this management plan).

6.12  Different Classes of Vessels Utilising the Marina

​First Aid Response requirements in accordance with vessel class requirements.

6.13  Security Hazards

Issues – A number of employees are at risk of injury due to the malicious actions of others.

• A number of positions have been identified as holding potential for security related incidents to inflict harm on personnel.

• Workplace procedures, and work instructions must include details to employees identified as “at risk” to minimise the risk of security related incidents.

6.14   Communications

Issue – Critical to the effectiveness of any emergency preparedness / response plan or activity is the capacity to reliably seek or summons assistance from a number of parties. These include Sealink own in-house resources or those otherwise involved in emergency response activity, or emergency service groups such as Fire and Rescue, Ambulance service or Local Government.

• Reliable communications (telephone, radio, other) is identified as essential for a number of groups / personnel.

• Emergency preparedness and response will also depend upon a number of critical personnel responding to emergency situations, either by attending the scene, or providing information.

• Identified groups / personnel will have their communications facilities reviewed to ensure reliability and any other issues they may have regarding communications (capacity to be contacted at all hours, privacy etc).

• All work units are to review and assess communications needs according to this process: -

  • Identify a need for communications: e.g. working in confined spaces requires the capacity to summons emergency services support, or key personnel needing to be contractible 24 hours per day.

  • Identify the specific conditions under which communication must be available e.g. during working hours after hours in isolated or remote areas.

  • Assess communications options Mobile Phone UHF Radio, PA System.

  • Identify which best meets the needs of staff, supervisors, and others

  • Obtain the necessary communications equipment, and allocate according to identified needs

  • Implement work procedures / practices that support the provision and use of adequate communications equipment

6.15   Inspection / Maintenance Requirements

6.15.1 Equipment and Materials Inspections

All equipment and material designated for use during an emergency, or otherwise indicated to be of value during an emergency, are to be identified and specific maintenance requirements determined and introduced.

These schedules are to meet requirements of:

• Australian & Australian/NZ Standards

• Queensland Acts, Regulations and Advisory Standards

• Emergency Service organisations recommendations.

6.16  Reporting

6.16.1 The system generates the following reporting routines.

• Accident reports are to be submitted in accordance with SeaLink accident reporting system, for any accident. Emergency interventions are to be recorded on this report.

• Exercises / drills to be recorded for area – copy of details are to be recorded on the DataWeb.

• The HSEQ Manager will monitor compliance with requirement for testing / other drills.

6.17 Contingency Planning

Failure of the primary systems is addressed by ensuring that all plans and procedures clearly state the fallback option of simply defaulting to assistance from regional emergency response agencies via the “000” telephone contact.

7.0   EXHIBITS

Developed as required