The potential for catastrophic Personal Injury Loss exists at all plants…even in the best of Safety & Health processes!

• Falls
• Fires/Explosions
• Confined Spaces
• Caught in machines
• Contractors
• Motor vehicle crashes

Crisis Management

• Use your own “crystal ball.”
• What resources will you need to manage the crisis?
• People,
• Equipment,
• Services,
• Support,
• A phone, fax, notebook and pen.

Every catastrophic personal injury loss is different,But the management principles are similar.

Principles of Critical Incident Response

• “Do no [more] harm”…At all times, the priority is to assure scene safety.
• Prompt, appropriate care for the injured.
• Preserve respect & dignity for the injured, all of the “involved,” the family, all others.
• Fix the problem, not the blame.
• Restore “normal” operations.
• Prevent recurrence.

Incident Command System

• Organized system for managing emergencies.
• Used by the Fire Service since the 1950’s, originally for managing forest fires - staff, equipment, changing status, etc.
• Helps you to plan, lead, organize, control response & resources.
• Establishes hierarchy for emergency…not for everyday site management.
• Requires intimate knowledge of the facility, the people, emergency management, multitude of site plans.
• Some of your best “everyday” managers will become totally useless under ICS.
• Develop ICS Structure & Roles in your site Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Getting to the Scene~ Initial “Seize Up”

• Take your own pulse.
• Ensure the area is safe & that no other persons will become similarly injured.
• Protect would-be responders/rescuers.
• Ensure structural integrity.
• Stop equipment/process operation.
• Stop activity in immediate area.
• Plan rescue, determine resources...

Medical Care for the Injured

• Who is injured?
• What type & extent of injuries?
• Observe the location & position of the injured.
• Who is there? What are they doing?
• What treatment is being rendered?
• What hospital are they going to?

Begin “Seeing” Area ~ Observing the Physical World

• Look for pieces of evidence…expect that pieces will not yet fit together.
• What is the equipment doing? Note settings of controls.
• Any physical evidence from victim?
• Begin to note (& sketch) what you see…provide all notes to the investigator!

Meanwhile, Back at the “Office”…Gathering Records

• OBTAIN EMPLOYEE INFORMATION:
• Employee name & address, DOB, emergency contact;
• EMPLOYMENT SPECIFICS:
• Job title,
• length of employment,
• Time on the job;
• TRAINING RECORDS:
• safety training,
• orientation,
• department specific.

Before the Investigation...

• Get the incident stabilized.
• Get the area under control.
• Stop activity.
• Minimize discussion about the details of the incident. Everyone is a witness.
• Minimize written communication about the incident.
• Disallow “conclusion jumping.”