SISXEMR001

Respond to emergency situations This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond appropriately in emergency situations, such as those caused by fire, accident or weather. It requires the ability to maintain participant welfare when responding to emergency situations. This unit applies to individuals who work in a range of roles and settings in the sport, fitness or recreation industries.

STUDENT RESOURCE

ivet.edu.au

1300 00 IVET

IVET Institute: RTO ID: 40548

CONTENTS

Elements and performance criteria.........................................................................................................................................3 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................................5 Apply workplace emergency procedures.............................................................................................................................8 Organisational policies and procedures................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Emergency situations.................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Lost party or party member................................................................................................................................................................................................14 Medical injuries and accidents.......................................................................................................................................................................................14 Hazardous releases.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Fire................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 Equipment failure..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 Emotional responses..................................................................................................................................................................................................................19 Bomb threats.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19 Activity specific emergency situations....................................................................................................................................................................19 Changing environmental conditions........................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Emergency equipment............................................................................................................................................................... 22 Respond to an emergency situation.................................................................................................................................... 26 Communication systems.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Appropriate personnel............................................................................................................................................................................................................27 Coordinate and monitor participant response............................................................................................................... 32 Group control, removal and monitoring.............................................................................................................................................................. 33

Suites 210 – 212 189E South Centre Road Tullamarine VIC 3043 © IVET Created: 3/10/22 Version: 1.0

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Elements and performance criteria

SISXEMR001 Respond to emergency situations ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1.1 Source and interpret relevant organisational policies and procedures.

1. A  pply workplace emergency procedures.

1.2 Recognise emergency and potential emergency situations. 1.3 Identify personnel responsible for the appropriate area. 1.4 Identify location and use of emergency equipment as required. 1.5 Identify exits and assembly points.

2.1 Report workplace emergency situations to appropriate personnel as required. 2. R  espond to an emergency situation.

2.2 Use communication systems during emergency situation. 2.3 Follow instructions from appropriate personnel during the emergency. 2.4 Select and use emergency equipment as required.

3.1 Convey emergency instructions to participants in the activity. 3. C  oordinate and monitor participant response.

3.2 Implement strategies for group control. 3.3 Remove participants and other individuals from danger. 3.4 Monitor the condition and location of participants. 3.5 Provide information on developments to participants.

For more information on this unit of competency visit: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/SISXEMR001

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Performance evidence

y

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

appropriate responses to emergency situations, as specified in the Performance Evidence

y

safe use of emergency equipment required for emergency responses:

y

y

respond to at least five of the following emergency situations, relevant to the individual’s current or intended work situation:

y

fire extinguisher

y

fire blanket

y

first-aid kit

y

fire

y

emergency-signalling devices

y

hazardous release

y

portable emergency shelter

y

bomb threat

y

thermal blankets and sheets

y

medical

y

emergency lighting

y

accidents

y

dehydration equipment

y

panic and other emotional responses

y

equipment failure

y

lost party member

y

changing environmental conditions

y

activity specific

y

use the necessary emergency equipment for each situation in an appropriate manner.

Knowledge evidence

y

the role of appropriate personnel in the workplace: y

work health and safety/occupational health and safety representative

y

human resources personnel

y

team leader

y

manager

y

supervisor

y

fire warden

role of appropriate personnel in emergency services:

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

y

police search and rescue

y

y

state emergency service

y

fire brigade

y

ambulance service

y

land management authorities

y

Australian volunteer coastguard

organisational policies and procedures related to emergency responses: y

communication lines

y

debrief procedures

y

duty of care

y

emergency procedures

y

environment protection

y

exit and assembly points

y

hazardous substances and dangerous goods

y

industry codes of practice

y

reporting incidents

y

work health and safety/occupational health and safety

y

reporting and managing customer incidents

y

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role of communication systems: y

emergency warning and alarm systems

y

hand signals

y

telephone and radio communications

y

whistles

y

flares

y

communication techniques for supporting and reassuring customers

y

range of formats for and inclusions of incident reports.

Introduction Every year in Australia many people injure themselves while participating in sport and recreation. According to a recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. almost 60,000 Australians were admitted to hospital for injuries sustained while playing sport in 2016/17. It is important that all employees working in any of the sport and recreation sectors know how to respond in an emergency situation to ensure the wellbeing of themselves, fellow staff and their participants. It is also important that they are well versed and able to follow the emergency response and first aid procedures of their organisation. This will ensure that no one is put into a dangerous situation which has the potential to cause serious injury, damage or loss. Through this unit you will develop the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond appropriately in emergency situations, such as those caused by fire, accident or weather. It requires the ability to maintain participant welfare when responding to emergency situations.

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Injuries in Australia - data analysis

The following data represents injuries sustained in the sport and recreation industry in Australia. It is useful to examine this type of data so you are aware of the types of injuries and are prepared to respond when working in various sectors of the sport and recreation industry. Read the excerpt below and complete the following questions: The report, Hospitalised sports injury in Australia, 2016-17, finds that almost one-third (32%) of all hospitalised sports injuries were sustained while playing one of the various codes of football. Commenting on the findings, Professor James Harrison, spokesperson for the AIHW’s National Injury Surveillance Unit, based at Flinders University, stated “many Australians participate regularly in sport and physical recreation activities, and it’s clear that we are a nation of sport-lovers. “Participation in sport contributes positively to a range of physical, mental and social health outcomes - just 30 minutes of physical activity a day can lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle - however, playing sport does not come without risk.” Injuries, including AFL, rugby codes* and football, each accounted for around 8% of injuries, plus almost 2% for touch football. Most football injuries were to the hips and legs (30%), followed by the head and neck (25%). Professor Harrison also advised “cycling injuries accounted for around 11% of those admitted to hospital.” Just over a quarter (28%) of all hospitalisations for sports injuries were for women or girls. Among females, equestrian activities accounted for 11% of hospitalised injuries, followed by netball (10%), and cycling (7%). For all sports combined, most injuries were to the hips and legs (28%), followed by the shoulders and arms (24%), with Professor Harrison adding “one in 10 sports injuries were life-threatening, with swimming and diving injuries making up 27% of life-threatening cases, followed by cycling (24%), and equestrian (24%).” An additional 7% of injuries (3,800) resulted in an intracranial injury - this includes cases of concussion, and other traumatic brain injuries. Factoring in the number of participants, the sport with the highest rate of participation-based hospitalisation was wheeled motor sports, such as motorcycling and go-carting, with 1,280 hospitalisations per 100,000 participants. This was followed by rugby, and roller sports (such as roller skating and skateboarding), with a rate of 1,180 and 1,175 per 100,000 participants, respectively. Fitness and gym activities and walking had much lower rates at 10 and 12 hospitalisations per 100,000 participants, respectively. The report does not cover emergency department presentations where a patient was treated without admission to hospital. *Due to the way hospitals record injury data, rugby union and rugby league are combined in this report.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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CONTINUED...

1 1.

What percentage of all hospitalised sports injuries were sustained while playing one of the various codes of football? .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. How does participating in sport contribute to a healthier lifestyle? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3. What percentage of women or girls were hospitalised due to sports injuries? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4. For all sports combined, the most injuries were to which parts of the body? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5. What fraction of sports injuries were life-threatening? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6. How many people had injuries that resulted in an inter-cranial injury, such as concussion? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7. Which sport had the highest rate of participation-based hospitalisation? .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

Apply workplace emergency procedures Organisational policies and procedures When working in the sport and recreation industry, you have to be ready to respond in the event of an emergency. This will require a thorough understanding of all organisational policies and procedures. All employees should be aware of work health and safety (WHS) procedures and expectations. They should know how to prevent injuries and accidents through hazard identification and know how to report incidents within their workplace so that they can be dealt with. These organisational policies and procedures will vary depending on the organisation that your work for. It is important that you take the time to source and interpret relevant organisational policies and procedures. This information should be provided to you as part of an employee induction program, however if this does not occur you should take initiative and ask a senior staff member for the information. These policies and procedures may be found in a staff handbook or displayed in staff common areas. Comprehensive training should be provided to all staff and standards should be maintained through constant monitoring by senior staff members, i.e. if an employee is seen taking unsafe shortcuts to get a job done faster, they should be pulled up and reprimanded (e.g. official warning). Organisational policies and procedures may include: y

communication lines

y

hazardous substances and dangerous goods

y

debrief procedures

y

industry codes of practice

y

duty of care

y

reporting incidents

y

emergency procedures

y

y

environment protection

work health and safety/occupational health and safety

y

exit and assembly points

y

reporting and managing customer incidents.

Public health and safety Public health and safety is the safety of those who enter the organisation or workplace. Legal responsibilities such as duty of care require that reasonable measures should be taken to make sure everyone in the organisation is safe at all times. Public health and safety also includes environmental protection. This is to ensure that no harm comes to the environment as a result of the business being conducted by the organisation, including pollution and noise. Today, environmental management has become a huge focus in Australian society and many organisations have environmental sustainability procedures and policies.

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There has been a big push for commercial organisations, as well as homeowners, to make changes to be more environmentally friendly by going “green”. This includes installing smart electricity metres, solar panels, water saving devices and the implementation of strict water usage laws. The government is encouraging these initiatives through subsidising the cost of energy saving equipment and free distribution of water saving devices (shower head and tap washers). WorkSafe Victoria mandates that any deaths, medical treatment by a doctor, hospital admissions and incidents involving high-risk equipment occurring in workplaces within Victoria, be reported to WorkSafe. Also, any known theft of explosives, injuries from explosives and any release of dangerous goods (liquids, gases, chemicals, etc.) must also be reported to WorkSafe. This is important, and required by law as any hazardous substances and dangerous goods can affect not only those working within the organisation but could also spread into the environment, affecting those in the community. Failure to report an incident can result in hefty fines and/or prosecution for the organisation for breaching the Work Health and Safety Act and Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2011 (VIC).1 Employees or members of an organisation should be aware of

emergency procedures including how to evacuate in case of fire. Fire drills should be conducted regularly to ensure that all employees understand the procedure and also to improve the efficiency of the evacuation (i.e.: getting out to the meeting spot faster).

Everyone in the workplace should know where the exit and assembly points are. They should be clearly

marked. Emergency exits should always be unlocked from the inside and the path to access them should always be kept clear. There is no exact guideline regarding the distance that an assembly point should be from the building, but during a fire, falling debris and smoke inhalation can cause serious injury. Therefore, the assembly point should be as far away as possible.

1 Each State will have slightly different variations on these regulations. It is important to reference your particular State or Territory’s policies, procedures and regulations. 9

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Create your own home evacuation plan

Step 1: Start by drawing a simple floor plan of your home; include all doors and windows in your drawing.

laundry

Step 2: O  n your diagram indicate all fire alarms, fire blankets, extinguishers and sources of water. Step 3: O  n your floor plan indicate at least two evacuation options from every room.

living room

Step 4: Select a safe meeting area outside your home. Answer the following questions: 1. Were you able to easily identify two evacuation options? What area of your home would be the most difficult to evacuate from? Why? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2. How did you select your meeting area? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3. How could you communicate this evacuation plan to the rest of your family? Why would it be important to do so? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Industry codes of practice These will also need to be considered when responding to emergency situations. Certain industries have different ways of dealing with emergencies depending on the nature of the organisation. For example, as part of the AusKick safety code, if at any time a severe injury is identified or suspected, including head, facial, spinal, chest, or abdominal injuries, fractures or major bleeding, the player should not be moved and medical help should be called. Another example may be the code of practice upheld by gyms and fitness centres. If a pre-existing medical condition, injury or the use of prescribed medication is identified in a health screening, the client will be required to obtain a medical clearance letter from a GP (general practitioner) before commencing a fitness program.

Debrief procedures Debrief procedures should be followed after an injury, accident or loss. Employees should be supported and given an opportunity for debriefing. Debriefing after an event should be encouraged although it should be voluntary. It is often best for a third party to conduct the debriefing as employees may not feel comfortable talking to another staff member whom they see every day. They may feel judged or will be unable to express what they are really feeling; then the debrief will not be effective. Debriefing may provide a feedback mechanism allowing for improvements to policies and procedures within the organisation.

Open communication Communication lines within an organisation should always be open. Employees should feel comfortable going to senior members of staff with concerns and possible ideas for improvement. This is especially important when it comes to health and safety. Employees need to feel confident to report possible hazards and be assured that they will be taken seriously and the situation dealt with to prevent accidents and injuries. Organisations that value employee contributions and keep communication lines open are often the most successful, effective and productive.

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Emergency organisational policies and procedures - case studies

Read each of the following case studies. Identify which organisational policies and procedures should be referred to in each situation. Choose from the following list: y

communication lines

y

public health and safety

y

debrief procedure

y

reporting incidents

y

duty of care

y

y

emergency procedures

hazardous substances and dangerous goods

y

environmental protection

y

industry codes of practice

y

exit and assembly points

y

work health and safety.

CASE STUDY 1

CASE STUDY 2

Gerry needs to talk to his boss about a safety

Sandy needs to speak to a counsellor after

weights machine.

left arm.

concern that he has about the new lat pull-down

witnessing another employee sever their

...........................................................................................

...........................................................................................

CASE STUDY 3

CASE STUDY 4

An employee accidentally releases a chemical

A swimmer trips on a hose left on the pool deck

...........................................................................................

...........................................................................................

CASE STUDY 5

CASE STUDY 6

An employee fails to wear the appropriate PPE

An employee is reprimanded after failing to

be rushed to hospital after a chemical splash

to a GP for medical clearance, as per the

gas into the air.

by the lifeguard on duty.

(personal protective equipment) and needs to

refer a client who had a medical condition

into his eye.

organisation’s policy.

...........................................................................................

...........................................................................................

CASE STUDY 7

CASE STUDY 8

A member of staff steals explosive equipment.

A delivery of goods blocks an emergency exit.

...........................................................................................

...........................................................................................

CASE STUDY 9

CASE STUDY 10

An organisation is discovered to be

Staff are unaware of emergency evacuation

local river.

evacuation in two years

dumping harmful chemicals into the

procedures and have not had a practice

...........................................................................................

...........................................................................................

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Part of staff work health and safety training should orientate workers to the organisation’s safety procedures, the location of exit and assembly points, the location of emergency equipment as well as identify personnel responsible for the appropriate area. This will enable them to contact the correct person in the event of an emergency or where a potential emergency situation is identified. In an emergency every minute counts and if employees are well versed on emergency procedures and have practiced them through mock drills and practice evacuations they will be more effective and efficient when responding in the event of a real emergency. We will look more closely at the various roles of internal staff in the next section.

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

Emergency situations Employees need to recognise emergency and potential emergency situations. Then they will be able to respond in the most productive way. Being proactive is always better as it results in no or minimal injuries. It is about foreseeing the possible dangers and hazards that have the potential to cause serious harm and then finding a way to avoid, reduce, transfer or eliminate them.

Medical injuries and accidents

Possible emergency situations include: y

fire

y

hazardous releases (e.g. chemical spills)

y

bomb threats

y

medical episodes

y

injuries

y

accidents

y

panic and other emotional responses

y

equipment failure

y

lost party or party member

y

changing environmental conditions

y

activity-specific injuries or accidents.

Medical emergencies can be a result of an accident or injury. It is vital that medical care is provided immediately to prevent death or permanent damage. Medical assistance might include calling for an ambulance, taking someone to the hospital or administrating first aid as the sole treatment or while waiting for medical help to arrive.

Under the Work Health and Safety Act: ‘Organisations with no specific hazards or high-level risks require a minimum of one first aid trained employee per 25–50 employees and two for 51–100 employees. If the workplace is deemed to have specific hazards or high-level risks they will require one first aid officer for 25 employees and two for 25–50 employees. Any workplace that fails to comply with this law may face legal action.’

Lost party or party member Suddenly finding someone missing when we look for them is unnerving. Thoughts flash though our minds as we imagine something terrible has happened. In the event that a person or group becomes lost, the following practices could be of assistance: y

Inform other members in your group and ask the other members if they have recently seen the missing person/group members.

y

Search the premises, especially last seen location and check the meeting points.

y

Ask the venue /facility staff to begin a search and make an announcement over a loudspeaker if possible.

y

Once initial checks have been undertaken and if the person/group has not been found, the group leader will call 000 to report the incident.

The most important thing to remember when faced with an emergency situation in the workplace is to check for danger before going to someone’s aid. If the hazard that caused the accident is still there no first aid officer or other employee should attempt to help the injured worker if there is risk of injuring themselves. The medical situation is not helped if, instead of one person being injured, there are two. Personal safety should always be the first priority of any emergency response.

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Workplace accidents, injuries and medical emergency situations

Brainstorm five medical emergencies, injuries and accidents that may occur in the sport, fitness and recreation industry. Medical emergencies

Injuries

Accidents

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

•

.................................................................

Questions: 1.

Choose two of the medical emergencies identified and find a way they could be reduced, avoided or eliminated. Explain how. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. Choose two of the accidents identified and find a way to reduce, avoid or eliminate them. Explain how. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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CONTINUED...

4 3. Is it always possible to reduce, avoid or eliminate accidents and injuries in the workplace? Why/why not? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4. Work health and safety legislation states that the ratio of first aid officers to employees needs to be higher for workplaces that have specific hazards or high-level risks. Name and give a brief explanation of two types of workplaces you think this might include. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Hazardous releases Chemical and other hazardous releases in the workplace can cause serious harm. It is important that you always wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) when responding to an emergency situation. This includes gloves and a protective barrier mask (for resuscitation) to limit your exposure to any body fluids that can cause serious harm. It is also important that any material/s with blood on them are disposed of correctly to prevent the contamination of others with any virus or other blood-borne condition the victim may have. Any workplace equipped to provide first aid should have a biohazard disposal can or waste bag.

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Fire All workplaces need to be prepared in the event of fire. All employees should be aware of evacuation procedures and know where the fire safety equipment is kept. Workplaces need to practice emergency evacuation procedures regularly so that all employees know what to do. Fires can be caused by faulty equipment, a lack of ventilation, overheating or employee error. They can have serious consequences for the organisation including loss of life, property damage, injuries and loss of productivity and therefore money. Work health and safety legislation requires that all workplaces have an emergency management action plan. This should include the following information: the immediate action to stop or minimise the hazard (e.g. use of fire extinguishers, if trained)

y

who to call to raise the alarm

y

how to notify emergency personnel (ambulance, fire brigade, SES, police, electricity/gas authorities)

y

how, when and where to evacuate

y

names of the people responsible for making decisions during the emergency and their duties

y

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Fire safety symbols - brainstorming activity

It is important to be able to identify fire safety signs. They can assist you to prevent an emergency situation, locate important fire safety equipment as well as exit points in a building. With a partner discuss each of the symbols below and see if you can identify their meaning. A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

Equipment failure

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This is a common workplace emergency situation. This may include the malfunctioning or breaking of equipment. These hazards can be avoided through regular maintenance checks and testing. Many of the Worksafe internet sites provide industries with alerts about accidents that have occurred. This is to help similar industry workplaces avoid these emergency situations caused by equipment failure.

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ICT task - explore workplace hazard alerts

Access your relevant state or territory Worksafe authority website and search for any safety or hazard related alerts. For example, in Victoria you would access Worksafe Victoria. Access three of these safety or hazard alerts, read and use the information to fill in the following table:

Hazard Alert

Background / What happened?

What incident caused the need for a hazard alert?

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Prevention / What should be done to avoid this hazard?

Emotional responses Individuals who experience traumatic events may suffer from symptoms of panic, anxiety and shock. It is important to understand that everyone responds to emergency situations differently. People who experience any emotional response should be supported and given assistance (e.g. counselling). People can experience shock straight after a traumatic event/accident or a little while afterwards, when the adrenaline has worn off and they have had a chance to think about what has happened. People experiencing shock may feel stunned, numb or dazed and may not be in touch with what is going on around them. A person experiencing shock should be referred to a GP (general practitioner) for treatment.

Bomb threats Workplaces need to know how to appropriately respond to and manage bomb threats. Management of this emergency situation will depend on how the threat has been made, i.e. letter, telephone call, finding a suspicious package, etc. No matter how the threat is made, employees should be told to remain calm. If the threat is made through a phone call the individual who takes the call should try their best to keep

the person making the threat on the phone and ask questions to try and identify the location of the bomb and the time it has been set to go off. All threats should be treated as genuine and handled with care; any information given by the person making the threat should be documented for the police. If the threat is made through a letter it should be handled as little as possible and placed into a plastic pocket to preserve it, as there may still be fingerprint traces. The police should always be contacted and employees should be ready to evacuate; in this case, the fire evacuation plan should be used.

Activity specific emergency situations Emergency situations can also be activity specific meaning that they are accidents or injuries resulting from the nature of the workplace and the roles people have within the workplace. For example, if you were a lifeguard for an outdoor pool some activity specific emergencies may include drowning, slip related injuries, swallowing water, headaches and bumps (i.e. from hitting your head on the bottom of the pool) cuts and abrasions (from lane ropes and scraping the walls of the pool etc.).

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Activity specific emergency situations

For each of the following workplaces/activities brainstorm possible activity specific emergency situations (accidents and injuries). Brainstorm at least five per workplace and briefly explain how they might occur. WORKPLACE

POSSIBLE ACTIVITY SPECIFIC EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Gym

Surfing lessons Camping tour company (2-day hiking camp) Outdoor soccer clinics

Tennis tournament

Questions: 1.

How could you be prepared for activity specific emergency situations? .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. Choose two of the activity specific emergency situations you outlined in the table above and explain how you could prevent them from occurring. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3. Choose two of the activity specific emergency situations you outlined above and briefly explain how you would respond and deal with each type of emergency. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Changing environmental conditions Changing environmental conditions can also cause an emergency situation; this includes changes in weather, terrain and other workplace conditions. This is especially a concern for the outdoor recreation sector of the sport and recreation industry, as almost all activities run by this sector occur outdoors. Camping, rock climbing and hiking could be a major concern if unforeseen weather occurs i.e. rain, hail and storms. These can cause riverbeds to become flooded which may impact your ability to return to camp; it may also cause the terrain to change, which in extreme situations could cause mudslides and flooding.

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If an emergency situation occurs because of unforeseen environmental conditions authorities may need to be called to rescue individuals from harm. It is important that some form of communication system is available and has adequate reception (e.g. mobile phones, radios, flares). It is also important that someone knows where you are at all times so that if extreme weather is forecast you can be contacted.

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Changing environmental conditions

1. What could you do before an outdoor recreation activity to make sure that changing environmental conditions do not interfere with your planned activity? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2. Where could you source information about environmental conditions? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3. Besides being contacted because of unforeseen weather, why else is it important that people know where you are when completing an outdoor recreation activity? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4. Look at the table below. When would be the best time to plan your two day hiking camp? Justify your answer. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Mean max temp (°C)

25.9

25.8

23.9

20.3

16.7

14.0

13.4

15.0

17.2

19.7

21.9

24.2

Mean min temp (°C)

14.3

14.6

13.2

10.8

8.6

6.9

6.0

6.7

8.0

9.5

11.2

12.9

47.4

47.4

50.4

57.1

55.7

49.1

47.6

50.2

58.0

66.4

60.1

59.3

Temperature

Rainfall Mean rainfall (mm)

Adapted from Australian Bureau of Meteorology

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Emergency equipment When responding to an emergency situation staff need access to the correct emergency equipment to adequately respond to the situation. They should be able to identify the location of emergency equipment and use it when required. Inadequate equipment or an inability of a staff member to use the equipment correctly could result in further injury or damage. Staff should be able to select and use emergency equipment as required. The type of emergency will determine what equipment is needed. Emergency equipment in the workplace may include: y

fire extinguisher

y

fire blanket

y

first aid kit

y

emergency-signalling devices

y

portable emergency shelter

y

thermal blankets and sheets

y

emergency lighting

y

dehydration kit.

Fire extinguishers and fire blankets are required in every workplace under the Work Health and Safety Act. This equipment should not be used to fight large fires but can prevent the escalation of smaller fires. For example, a small kitchen fire caused by a tea towel being placed on a lit hot plate can be easily contained by throwing a fire blanket over the top. All fire extinguishers and blankets should meet Australian standards and should be marked with a classification (A – F) to indicate the size of fire it has been tested on and the type of fire it should be used on (e.g. cooking oils and fats, combustible gases and flammable liquids). Fire equipment must also be located close to possible fire hazards (2–20m). Regular maintenance checks must be completed so that the equipment is safe to use in a fire. First aid kits must be available in all Australian workplaces. The kit can be of any size, but must be large enough to hold all of the required contents. All employees should

know the location of the first aid kit. It should be easily accessible and clearly signed. A workplace’s first aid kit should contain equipment for treating injuries specific to the work type and area. Emergency signalling devices are a must for the outdoor recreation and aquatics areas. They can include whistles, beacons, air horns, surface marker buoys, signal mirrors, flares and radios. It is vital to be equipped with these so you can use them if you need to be rescued or assisted in some way. Emergency signalling devices catch attention in different ways. You should know what signalling device is the most suitable for your activity and check it regularly. 22

Emergency lighting is required in any workplace in case there is a power outage. Emergency torches or light sticks should be available. A lack of light can potentially cause injuries and accidents such as falls, bruises and abrasions. Many commercial organisations have a battery backup or generator in case there is a power outage to ensure that employee and client safety is protected at all times. Many organisations have procedures for responding to a power blackout. They may ask that staff do not move so there is a clear passage for managers to access emergency lighting or turn on the battery backup system. Thermal blankets and sheets are vital in cold climates to insulate and provide warmth. Without them an individual may suffer from hypothermia which can be life threatening. Portable emergency shelters should be included as a precaution on outdoor recreation activities in case changing environmental conditions force the individual or group to stay outdoors in the elements overnight. They are designed to insulate, shield the wind and provide warmth. Dehydration equipment is used to prevent a loss of body fluids that can cause headaches, cracked and dry lips, sore eyes and, in extreme cases, death. Dehydration can occur in any climate. It is a large concern when participating in outdoor recreation activities, hiking or doing any other physical tasks. Equipment to prevent dehydration may include drink bottles,

electrolyte substances, backpack hydration systems and drink belts. It may also include equipment used to dehydrate food for camping and hiking to stop it from spoiling due to a lack of access to a cooler or refrigeration. Dehydration is a serious concern. It is important that people are aware of the amount of water they should consume when participating in an activity. As a guideline, two litres of water should be consumed each day, although if a person is physically active they will require more. For example, when doing an activity in an alpine environment (ice fields, snow, etc.) a physically active person (e.g. skiing, snowboarding, etc.) should consume up to six litres of water. During sport at least 100ml should be consumed every 10–15 minutes.

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

9

ICT research - emergency signalling

Research the following emergency signalling devices: y

air horn

y

beacon

y

signal mirror

y

surface marker buoy.

Instructions: 1.

Give a brief explanation of how the device works and how it is used to gain attention.

2. Give two examples of situations where this emergency device would be useful and in which environment. 3. Find two other types of emergency equipment and add them to the following table. 4. Complete the following questions. Emergency Equipment

Brief explanation – How the device works? How it is used to gain attention?

Air horn

Signal mirror

Beacon

Surface marker buoy

1.

2.

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Two examples of where and when it would be used.

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CONTINUED...

9 Questions: 1.

What is the main objective of emergency equipment? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. How would you decide which emergency equipment you require for your sport and recreational activity? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3. Where should emergency equipment be stored? Why is the location of this equipment important? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4. Identify two types of emergency equipment your school has. Where is it located? ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

Respond to an emergency situation Communication systems As mentioned previously, it is important to be able to make contact with the relevant authorities in an emergency. To do this you will need to use communication systems. The environment whereby the emergency situation is taking place will most likely determine the best method of communication. Below are five of the most used communication systems in the sport and recreation industry. Flares Hand signals

Whistles

Telephone & radio communication

Emergency warning & alarm system

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COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

10

Communication systems

Highlight at least two situations/scenarios where you might use each of these communication systems. Telephone & radio communication

Hand signals

Flares

Whistles

Emergency warning & alarm system

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Appropriate personnel All organisations need to have appropriate personnel (i.e.: staff, employees) in order to respond to emergency situations. When responding to an emergency situation you must report the workplace emergency situation to the appropriate personnel as well as follow instructions from appropriate personnel during the emergency. It is important that an organisation makes it clear to all employees what their designated roles are in the event of an emergency. This will eliminate any possible confusion which could affect people’s ability to respond, minimising the possibility of further injury, or potential death. Workplaces need to be prepared to deal with many emergency situations including fire, medical episodes, accidents, injuries and the release of hazardous materials. Personnel required in an emergency may be internal (from within the organisation) and external (from outside of the organisation). Most emergency situations will require a combined effort and response from both internal and external personnel. The response will be from internal personnel until external personnel are called for additional assistance. How internal personnel respond can be the difference between life and death so it is important that all staff members are regularly briefed on all possible emergency situations. Within the organisation (internal) staff who help/respond in emergency situations may include: y

WHS representative

y

human resources personnel

y

colleagues

y

team leaders

y

managers

y

supervisors

y

fire wardens.

A WHS (work health and safety) representative is elected by employees. They are responsible for assisting and supporting management to implement WHS improvements. They are directly responsible for raising WHS issues with management on behalf of employees, conducting internal risk assessments, training and induction on WHS, development of WHS policies and procedures, and assisting in the investigation of WHS hazards and incidents.

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

Human resources personnel may be required to keep comprehensive documentation of any incidents or emergencies that occur in the workplace and how they are dealt with. They may also be responsible for debriefing after an accident and may assist employees to take time off to deal with injuries, or other medical or mental health issues. Colleagues, team members, managers and supervisors need to be aware or their role/s in an emergency situation. Specific members of staff may need to take on a leadership role. If an accident results in injuries or a medical emergency, colleagues and members of staff with first aid qualifications may be required to assist until help arrives. They will require other members of staff, possibly managers or supervisors, to assist them to keep other employees away from the accident area or any casualties and to retrieve first aid supplies. A person may be required to give updates and information to emergency services enabling them to be better prepared to tend to any casualties once they arrive. Fire Wardens, once notified of the fire, should assess the situation and decide on a course of action. It is their decision to call for help (fire brigade) and sound the fire alarm indicating that there should be an evacuation. They should delegate to Area Wardens how to proceed with the evacuation, just in case an area should be avoided due to fire. Once the fire brigade has arrived it is the Fire Warden’s

responsibility to brief them on the situation and any possible elements that will impact them e.g. gas supplies and people trapped or unaccounted for. They are accountable for all staff members who were in the building. They may delegate to Area Wardens and be in a clearly marked area for coordinating this (i.e. if the organisation is large). For external requirements call emergency services, including: y

Police Search and Rescue (SAR) are expert and specialist police who assist in land and sea rescue if someone is missing. They have specialist training in underwater diving, bush search and rescue, mountaineering, cliff rescue, navigation and aircraft operations. They also search for drugs, investigate diving fatalities and retrieve vehicles and bodies from rivers and lakes. https://www.police.vic.gov.au

y

State Emergency Service (SES) are volunteers who assist and respond to state emergencies to keep communities safe. They respond in the event of floods, storms, bushfires, cyclones and earthquakes. They support the police, fire brigade and ambulance services during emergencies where additional help is needed. The SES helps state governments to be proactive and prepare for emergencies through planning and management. https://www.ses.vic.gov.au

y

Fire Brigades assist people in the event of fire, rescue, hazardous materials incidents and possible terrorist activities. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Victoria is also the first fire and rescue authority in Australia that has the ability to respond to medical emergencies through their Emergency Medical Response First Responder Program (EMR). They also promote fire awareness and prevention in the community. http://www.mfb.vic.gov.au 28

y

Land management authorities help to prevent emergency situations through careful planning. For example, bushfires during the summer months in Australia can be prevented through careful and controlled back burning. Back burning reduces the amount of flammable material available in a fire. It can help minimise the impact of bushfires so they do not get out of control and destroy homes and livelihoods and injure and kill people. Land management can also prevent flooding through the pumping of water from rivers. It can prevent injuries and accidents through maintaining facilities, pruning trees, maintaining signage in dangerous areas and controlling wildlife.

y

Australian Volunteer Coastguard promotes safety in the operation of marine vessels. They provide education about boat licensing, navigation and radio use. They monitor radio frequencies in case there is an emergency call. They complete safety patrols, search and rescue, and provide vessel assistance and tracking. https://coastguard.com.au

y

The Ambulance Service responds to emergency situations where there might be medical conditions or injuries. Paramedics through the ambulance service provide first response care and preserve life until an individual has been transported to hospital for treatment.

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11

Review - respond to emergency situations

For each emergency situation identify which personnel would be needed, the emergency equipment required, the communication system that may be used and the organisational policies and procedures needed to deal with the emergency situation.

EMERGENCY SITUATION

APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

FIRE

CHANGING

ENVIRONMENTAL

CONDITIONS (Causing an outdoor recreation group to get stuck)

INJURY (Broken leg at a sports carnival)

HAZARDOUS RELEASE (Chemicals)

MEDICAL CONDITION (While at sea)

ACCIDENT (Workplace

accident causing severe blood loss)

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COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

ORGANISATIONAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Learning Checkpoint 1 1.

According to the Hospitalised sports injury in Australia, 2016/2017 report, approximately how many Australians were admitted to hospital for injuries sustained while playing sport in 2016/2017?

2. Name five organisational policies and procedures. 3. When do incidents need to be reported? Failure to do so can result in what consequences? 4. What is duty of care? 5. What is environmental protection? 6. Why is it important that employees and staff are aware of emergency procedures, including exit and assembly points? 7. What is a debrief procedure? Why is it important? 8. What are three emergency situations that could occur in the sport and recreation industry? Give an example of each. 9. List three internal and external emergency personnel that could be of assistance in an emergency. 10. Equipment failure is a major hazard concern in workplaces. Name two ways that this could be avoided.

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

Coordinate and monitor participant response In the event of an emergency your number one priority should be the safety of all of those within your care. You have a duty of care to take all reasonable measures to protect their health and safety. By law you are required to do “everything within your abilities” to meet the duty of care. The only exception is if by providing assistance you will be placing yourself at risk.

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During an emergency situation in the sport and recreation industry it is important that you coordinate and monitor the participants in your session to ensure that they remain safe. You should clearly and precisely convey emergency instructions to all participants in the activity. When doing this it is important that you remain calm to ensure that you don’t cause panic or unnecessary anxiety, fear or worry. Participants should be made aware of exits, assembly areas and how to get there as well as how they can assist others and ensure their own safety in an emergency.

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Emergency instructions

TASK 1: Prior to an aeroplane taking off, passengers are asked to listen to safety instructions that are to be followed in the event of an emergency. List as many of these emergency instructions that you know of.

TASK 2: Access YouTube and search for inflight safety demonstrations and aeroplane safety instructions. Watch 2-3 of the clips for different airlines and add any additional safety instructions given to your list above.

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Group control, removal and monitoring When working with participants in the sport and recreation industry you may need to respond and act in emergency situation. It is your responsibility to take command until help arrives. Part of this responsibility is ensuring the safety of every participant through being in control of the situation. In an emergency situation it is extremely important that you are in control of your group of participants. You will need to implement appropriate strategies for group control depending on the environment, the type of emergency and type of participants you are working with. Some examples of strategies for group control include: y

When you have identified the emergency or are made aware of the situation through an alarm or other source you should make the group aware of what is going on. For example, you might say, “that is the fire alarm, we will now need to conduct an evacuation”.

y

When providing instructions to the group ensure that all group members are in front of you and listening. Ensure that you have their full attention.

y

Remaining calm and asking participants to do the same.

y

Providing loud, clear and precise instructions for what you would like the group to do and ensuring that all group members have heard. You could clarify their understanding quickly by asking them a question about what you have just said, for example, where is the assembly area?

y

Ask group members to stay together and look out for one another.

y

Provide order. Instruct the group to leave all belongings and line up at the door so that you can proceed to the assembly area as a group.

y

Ensure that all group members stay together and do not stray from the group. If working with children you could ask them to find a partner and hold hands.

y

When moving to an assembly area designate someone to assist you. You will need to lead the group from the front so that they know where to go. This will make it difficult for you to ensure that no one gets left behind or lost on the way to the assembly area. The designated person should be behind the group so that they can easily view the entire group as they evacuate. Some organisations such as schools will have designated safety wardens who may come to you in the event of an emergency to assist with controlling and leading the group to the assembly area.

y

Once you have reached the assembly area ensure that every participant has arrived safely. In the event that there a large number of participants you may conduct a roll call to check that everyone is present and accounted for.

y

Provide information on developments to participants. Remember that while a person’s physical safety is most important so is their mental and emotional safety. Feelings of fear, anxiety and worry as a result of an emergency situation can have long lasting effects. If participants feel informed and aware of what is going on they are more likely to remain calm.

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SISXEMR001 - Respond to emergency situations

Where it is safe to do so you should remove participants and other individuals from danger. This means leading them to a safer location and/or physically removing them in the event that they are unable to do so themselves (e.g. if they are unconscious). In some situations moving someone could cause serious additional injuries. You should only remove someone if they are in danger of sustaining further injury or death such as an unconscious person in a car leaking petrol. Or in a situation where they require immediate lifesaving intervention such as person who has stopped breathing and requires CPR. Once you have removed participants and other individuals from danger it is important that you monitor the condition and location of participants. The situation could change at any time putting participants at risk. For example, in the event of a bushfire the wind direction could change making a safe location unsafe. In the event of a medical emergency it is important to monitor a participant’s condition as it could change at any time. Where a person is unconscious but breathing you should continuously check their vital signs to ensure that they don’t deteriorate. Where a person is conscious you should talk to them until external help arrives.

Learning Checkpoint 2 1.

How could changing environmental conditions cause an emergency situation?

2. What are four types of emergency equipment? 3. What should first aid kits contain? 4. What is an emergency signal? Give two examples. 5. What dehydration equipment is important in the sport and recreation environment? 6. Identify two sets of instructions from appropriate personnel that you may need to follow during the emergency situation. 7. To whom should you report emergency situations to? 8. Which internal personnel might need to respond in an emergency situation? 9. What are the responsibilities of the WHS representative in a workplace? 10. Which external/emergency services might respond to an emergency situation? 11. Who are the SES? What do they do? 12. What are five communication systems that can be used during an emergency? 13. What types of clients might need assisting during an emergency situation? 14. How can land management authorities help to prevent emergencies or reduce their impact?

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