The first two steps in responding to a workplace accident are: Step 1. Take care of yourself; and Step 2. Take care of the injured. We covered these in Part 1 of this article series. Once you've taken care of the individuals involved, you will also need to protect the environment. And then there's the paperwork.

Step 3: Protect the Environment

When an incident involves the release of a chemical substance, even something that seems harmless, you must act to protect the environment. This includes:

• Staying safe. Be cautious when approaching the scene of the incident. Approach from the up-wind side. If you don't know what the material is, use binoculars to examine the scene from a distance.
• Getting help. Don't try to do this by yourself. Remember that you are the most important person at the scene. Protect yourself. Dial 9-1-1 or your company's emergency number.
• Notifying authorities. In the United States, some states require notification to their Department of the Environment and/or you may have to notify the National Response Center (NRC) at 1-800-424-8802, if the material released exceeds certain minimum quantities. (Editor's note: See the article below for the Canadian emergency notification numbers.)
• Being prepared. Have protective equipment and absorbents available and know how to use them.
• Getting training. If you want to get involved in performing clean ups, get training. Look at 29 CFR 1910.120 for the Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standards' training requirements.

Step 4: Do the Paperwork

There's a cartoon that shows a little boy sitting on the toilet and the caption reads, "The job's not over till the paperwork is done." An emergency situation is like that. After a workplace injury or chemical release, there is or will be a wide variety of forms and reports to complete.

Begin by keeping a log of what happened and at what time. (I strongly suggest you get into the habit right now of keeping a small notebook with you.) In this notebook, record:

• The time you first hear the alarm. Write this down as the start of the incident;
• At what time 9-1-1 was called;
• At what time the State was notified;
• At what time the NRC was called (if required);
• Which emergency unit was the first to arrive and at what time.

Once the rush of the situation is over, you may have many reports to complete, such as:

• An employee accident report;
• A company incident report on the chemical release;
• State and/or Federal follow-up notification reports;
• Insurance forms; and
• Workers' compensation forms; etc.

Keep copies of everything. If the incident ever goes on to become a legal proceeding, you won't remember any of the details. I recommend either keeping everything in a file folder or notebook and ensuring that every document has a date on it. In this folder, include print-outs of emails and all handwritten notes.

Conclusion

Knowing what to do in case of an emergency can help prevent panic and it can save lives. By following these steps, you will ensure that the victim is cared for, you are protected and the incident is thoroughly investigated.

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