IOSH Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'fire risk assessment' and who must carry one out?
- An assessment carried out only by the fire brigade
- A legal requirement under the Fire Safety Order for the 'responsible person' to identify fire hazards, people at risk, evaluate risks, and implement fire safety measures (Correct answer)
- An optional assessment for large buildings only
- An assessment of the fire extinguisher locations only
Correct answer: A legal requirement under the Fire Safety Order for the 'responsible person' to identify fire hazards, people at risk, evaluate risks, and implement fire safety measures
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the 'responsible person' (usually the employer or building manager) must carry out a fire risk assessment covering: identification of fire hazards, people at risk, evaluation of risks, fire prevention and protection measures, and emergency plans.
Question 2: What is the procedure for dealing with a chemical spill?
- Wash it away with water immediately
- Raise the alarm, evacuate the area if necessary, refer to the SDS, contain the spill using appropriate equipment, and notify relevant authorities (Correct answer)
- Ignore minor spills and only respond to major ones
- Always call the fire brigade for any size of spill
Correct answer: Raise the alarm, evacuate the area if necessary, refer to the SDS, contain the spill using appropriate equipment, and notify relevant authorities
Chemical spill procedures typically follow the STOP principle: Stop the source if safe, Tell others (raise the alarm), Outskirts (stay upwind, restrict access), and Prevent from entering drains. Check the SDS for specific guidance, use appropriate spill kits and PPE, and notify the Environment Agency if it could enter water.
Question 3: What should be included in a business continuity plan?
- Only backup IT systems
- Plans for maintaining critical business functions during and after an emergency, including alternative premises, communication protocols, and recovery procedures (Correct answer)
- Only insurance arrangements
- Only a list of emergency contacts
Correct answer: Plans for maintaining critical business functions during and after an emergency, including alternative premises, communication protocols, and recovery procedures
A business continuity plan covers: identification of critical business functions, plans for maintaining or restoring them, alternative premises and equipment, communication protocols (internal and external), key personnel and succession, IT disaster recovery, supply chain alternatives, and recovery procedures.
Question 4: What is an 'emergency controller' or 'incident commander'?
- A fire extinguisher operator
- The designated person who takes charge during an emergency, coordinating the response, making key decisions, and liaising with emergency services (Correct answer)
- The last person to leave the building during evacuation
- The person who tests the fire alarm weekly
Correct answer: The designated person who takes charge during an emergency, coordinating the response, making key decisions, and liaising with emergency services
The emergency controller/incident commander is the designated person who takes overall charge during an emergency. Their role includes: coordinating the response, making tactical decisions, liaising with emergency services, authorising building re-entry, and ensuring all personnel are accounted for.
Question 5: What is a 'bomb threat procedure'?
- A procedure used only at airports
- A set of actions to follow when a bomb threat is received, including gathering information from the caller, notifying authorities, and implementing search/evacuation protocols (Correct answer)
- A procedure that is no longer relevant
- A procedure only needed by government buildings
Correct answer: A set of actions to follow when a bomb threat is received, including gathering information from the caller, notifying authorities, and implementing search/evacuation protocols
A bomb threat procedure covers: actions on receiving a threat (staying calm, gathering information using a checklist, noting caller details), immediately notifying police and management, search procedures if directed, evacuation if necessary (to a different assembly point than fire), and building re-entry protocols.
Question 6: What is the role of fire wardens (or fire marshals) during an evacuation?
- To fight the fire
- To assist evacuation of their designated area, check rooms are clear, direct people to exits, assist those with PEEPs, and report to the assembly point (Correct answer)
- To wait at the assembly point and count people
- To lock all doors during evacuation
Correct answer: To assist evacuation of their designated area, check rooms are clear, direct people to exits, assist those with PEEPs, and report to the assembly point
Fire wardens are responsible for: initiating evacuation of their zone, checking that all areas (rooms, toilets, rest areas) are clear, directing people to the nearest exit, assisting anyone with a PEEP, ensuring fire doors are closed, reporting to the assembly point coordinator, and confirming their area is clear.
IOSH Emergency Procedures 2
What is a 'fire risk assessment' and who must carry one out?