Emergencies can happen at any time; and in the field, on a job site, or behind the wheel, there’s no time to stop and figure out what to do. Being prepared saves lives. Here are key emergency scenarios and practical tips to help you and your crew stay safe.
Potential Emergency Situations:
- Job site fire or equipment fire
- Severe weather (tornado, lightning, flash flood)
- Hazardous material spill or chemical exposure (fuel, solvents, etc.)
- Threat of violence or active threat
- Vehicle accident or rollover
Be Prepared – Know the Following:
- Evacuation routes: Know how to quickly and safely exit a job site, construction trailer, or vehicle. Identify clear paths away from hazards like machinery, cranes, or power lines.
- Huddle or muster points: Each job site or yard should have a designated safe zone where all crew members meet after evacuating.
- Accountability: Foremen or supervisors should have a roster or headcount system to ensure all workers are accounted for during and after an emergency.
- Shelter areas: Know where to go in case of severe weather; either to on-site reinforced shelters or the safest low-lying area nearby. For drivers, this may mean finding a safe pull-off or designated shelter spot.
- First responders: Identify who on your crew has first aid training or emergency responsibilities.
- Alarms and signals: Understand what different alarms or signals mean, whether it’s a horn blast on-site, a weather alert on a radio, or a vehicle emergency signal.
- Fire safety: Know where extinguishers are in equipment, vehicles, or trailers. Know how to use them. Learn where the fire alarm triggers are (if applicable).
- First aid kits: Make sure kits are accessible in trucks, trailers, and job boxes—and stocked regularly.
- Emergency info: Keep emergency contact information and site maps posted clearly for responders.
- Backup gear: Radios, flashlights, high-vis gear, and basic tools should be available in shelter areas or vehicles in case you’re stranded or waiting out a storm.