Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Abstract
Emergency is a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action as it threatens serious damage to health, life, property, or environment. A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens workers, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies in occupational environment include natural emergencies, fire and explosion, chemical, physical and mechanical accidents, biological exposures, and psychosocial trauma (as violence at workplace). Identification of the flammable and combustible materials stored in the workplace is a prerequisite for the developing of fire prevention plan. Gases arising from many industrial processes can be flammable and explosive, toxic, or asphyxiating. Confined spaces carry many serious risks including asphyxiation. Chemical spill can be a source of hazardous waste which necessitates emergency response. Radiation and nuclear accidents can occur if radiation sources are stored or used improperly, or safety procedures are not followed. Electrical accidents can be fatal, but they are preventable. Biohazard as infection by hepatitis B and C is present among healthcare personnel through needle stick injuries and contamination incidents. Mechanical accidents include machinery, falling and transport accidents which may result in fatality. Violence can be a source of emergency in the workplace which may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder that needs trauma intervention. Terrorism involves the deliberate use of chemical, biological, radiation or nuclear weapons. Emergency workers including firefighters, police officers, and paramedical personnel have to deal with threatening situations. Emergency response plan outlines the resources, responsibilities and training requirements needed to deal with emergencies in a controlled manner. In Egypt, many industrial accidents are not recorded and there is lack of coordination between programs and efforts of accident prevention and preparedness.
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