Hazard Prevention & Control - Action 4

Action Item 4: Select controls to protect workers during nonroutine operations and emergencies.

OSHA states the following: "The hazard control plan should include provisions to protect workers during nonroutine operations and foreseeable emergencies. Depending on your workplace, these could include fires and explosions; chemical releases; hazardous material spills; unplanned equipment shutdowns; infrequent maintenance activities; natural and weather disasters; workplace violence; terrorist or criminal attacks; disease outbreaks (such as pandemic influenza); or medical emergencies.

Nonroutine tasks, or tasks workers don't normally do, should be approached with particular caution. Prior to initiating such work, review job hazard analyses and job safety analyses with any workers involved and notify others about the nature of the work, work schedule, and any necessary precautions."

Management can do this through the following actions:

• Develop or modify procedures to control hazards that may occur during nonroutine operations.
• Develop or modify plans to control hazards that may arise in emergency situations.
• Provide equipment needed to control emergency-related hazards.
• Assign responsibilities for implementing the emergency plan.
• Conduct emergency drills to ensure that the planned procedures and provided equipment give proper protection during emergency situations.

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