Management of Disasters

There multiple hazards in the Pathology Department, these hazards may cause disaster. Proper and planned measures are needed to handle these disaster. Examples of disaster are:

i.Fire

ii.Explosion

iii.Gas Leakage

iv.Fire due to gas leakage

v. Chemical Spill

 Prevention Of Fire

Prevention of fire includes identifying all possible sources of fire and taking the appropriate preventive measures. In the laboratory, the sources of fire are from:

a.Flammable chemicals

i.Should be stored in a suitable, cool and properly ventilated store

ii.Only minimum quantities required for use should be issued

iii.Keep away from work areas where flames are used

b.Electrical apparatus and wiring

i.Faulty electrical apparatus/ wire should be reported immediately for rectification

c.Use of flame and presence of gas

i.Turn off immediately after use

ii.Gas taps and hose connections should be checked for leaks regularly.

d. Presence of flammable materials such as papers, forms, files, record books

i.Only minimal quantity of these materials should be kept

should be kept away from flame and any source of heat

ii.Good housekeeping should be observed at all times

e.Smoking is prohibited in the laboratories

Fire Prevention System

Fire is a complex disaster therefore it is vital for us to have a multi cascade fire prevention system. In the event of fire these systems should be activated prevent the spread of fire. The Fire prevention system is comprised of automatic and manual systems:

a. Automatic Fire Prevention:

● Fire Alarm panel – BS 420

● Break glass to activate alarm

● Water sprinkler (heat activated)

b.  Manual Fire Prevention

●Hazard Communication – CODE ORANGE

●Emergency Hailer

●Emergency Response Team

●Fire extinguisher ( ABC and CO2)

●Hose Reel

Actions To Be Taken In The Event Of Fire

1.The response to the fire must be fast and accurate, delay in action will worsen the outcome.

2.To facilitate the response of the Fire Response Team (FRT), each staff must be trained to act. This is because, fires can occur at any time and does depend on who is the staff on duty.

3.Although there is an organizational structure for the FRT, the post is not dedicated to an individual, anyone who is at the fire site can act.

4.Firefighting personnel should not PANIC and continue to act by conveying information to other staff by shouting the Code ORANGE or sounding the hailer. The fire response system should be activated by breaking the fire alarm and calling 2727.

5.Senior staff who hear code Orange should immediately take on the role of Fire Warden and coordinate other staff to take on the role of FRT.

6.FRT consists of personnel who fight fires, rescue victims and assist in evacuation. Depending on the situation, the Fire Warden will instruct staff in the vicinity to act as the FRT as needed.

7.All staff must work collectively to control fire effectively.

8.Action Card on the next page, briefly explains the role of staff during a fire.

Action Card in case of Fire 

Actions must be quick and swift. The first person that witnesses the fire should immediately respond by activation CODE ORANGE. This can be achieved by simply :

i.shouting “CODE ORANGE”

ii.using a hailer

iii.break glass

iv.calling 2727

Efforts must be made to activate CODE ORANGE at all stakes, as this will activate the entire firefighting and rescue activity.

The must senior personnel at the scene assumes the role of Fire Warden and shall instruct other employees. The Fire Warden in responsible to ensure everybody has evacuated the building safely and shall bring along the attendance log with him/her. The Fire Warden must provide vital information about the location, source of fire and potential victim to the fire squad commander. Fire Warden also provides information to the HOD.

The emergency rescue team (ERT) has three main duties namely:

i.Fire fighting

ii.Rescue entrapped or injured victim

iii.Evacuation

This role can be assumed by any employee at the scene and shall perform as instructed by the Fire Warden.

Firefighting can be done using the fire extinguisher or hose reel. All efforts should be made to fight the fire early while it’s still manageable.

There 2 types of fire extinguisher that can be found in Pathology department, the CO2 and dry powder (ABC).

Map showing fire extinguishers,hose reels and break glass. 

Actions In The Event Of Explosions

i.To immediately turn off burners and other heaters

ii.To Stop all works and evacuate the room immediately

iii.To Inform Safety Officer and Head of Department

iv.Since toxic gases may be present, everyone should vacate the room until it is decontaminated. Evacuate through any of the available or nearer exits and assemble at Car Park in front of Physiotherapy Department.

v. Injured personnel should be examine and treated appropriately.

Actions In The Event Of Gas Leakage

Butane Gas cylinder is located in media room (Microbiology)

i.              Open all windows and doors so that the gas can escape.

ii.            Ensure that the gas appliance valve and the gas valve on the gas pipe connected to the hose is turned off.

iii.           Turn off the gas valve at the meter and inform the gas license immediately.

iv.           Don’t turn on the electrical switches. Off electrical switches.

v.            Don’t light a fire.

vi.           Don’t smoke.

vii.          Don’t use the mobile phone in gas filled location.

viii.         Evacuate all the staff immediately.

 Actions In The Event Of Fire Caused By Gas Leakage

i.              Switch gas appliances knob or the gas valve connected to the rubber hose. Don’t try to put out the fire with water. Fire extinguishers of the ABC dry powder can be used.

ii.            Shout ‘CODE ORANGE” to alert all personnel.

iii.           Break Fire break glass.

iv.           Call CODE ORANGE 2727 MECC

a.            INFORM THE EMERGENCY ;

b.            MECC will contact the fire brigade and Hospital Fire Committee.

v.             Evacuation of personnel

a.            All personnel should evacuate from the building without panicking.

b.            Follow the instruction for evacuation/Use the nearest available fire escape routes/ exits

c.            Do not collect clothing and valuables

d.            Do not use lifts

e.            If exits are blocked by fire or anything else, exit through a window. Signal your presence, stay by the window but not directly below as injury may result from broken glass.

f.             If there is a lot of smoke, keep yourself closer to the ground, where the air is fresher and if possible crawl to safety.

Evacuation Plan with Emergency Exits