Plan for emergencies
Adequate planning for an emergency is crucial in creating an effective emergency response plan. It is vital to understand the behaviour and potential consequence of release of hazards, particularly in industries handling hazardous materials such as the chemical and oil and gas industries. When a release of hazardous materials occurs, it is important to have a clear understanding of the possible consequences of release, such as the extent of fire, explosion, and toxic releases. This serves as a critical guide for emergency responders, enabling them to act swiftly and decisively during emergency, thereby enhancing overall safety.
To effectively plan for such incidents, it is crucial that personnel involved in emergency response planning to answer key questions such as:
- How wide-spread could the impact of the incident be in varying weather conditions?
- Which areas and population groups are at risk of exposure and for how long?
- What is the influence of prevailing wind conditions, e.g. day-time versus night-time?
