BEFORE AN EMERGENCY: PREPARATION

Required Planning

Emergency Action Plan (Required by OSHA/WorkSafeBC):

• Rescue procedures for falls
• First aid procedures
• Emergency contact numbers
• Nearest hospital location and route
• Designated person to call 911
• Designated person to direct emergency vehicles

On-Site Emergency Equipment:

• First aid kit (ANSI Type III minimum)
• Fire extinguisher (Class ABC, 10 lb minimum)
• Rescue equipment (rope, descent device)
• Cell phone with 911 access
• Cooler with ice (for heat injuries)

Crew Training:

• All crew members trained in basic first aid
• At least one crew member CPR certified
• Fall rescue training for all crew members
• Heat illness recognition training
• Practice rescue procedures quarterly

FALL EMERGENCIES

Worker Falls and Hits Ground

Immediate Actions:

1. Call 911 immediately: Don't wait to assess injuries
2. Do NOT move victim: Spinal injury risk
3. Check for breathing and pulse: Start CPR if needed
4. Control bleeding: Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
5. Keep victim warm: Cover with blanket, prevent shock
6. Monitor until EMS arrives: Watch for changes in condition
7. Clear landing zone: For helicopter if needed

What NOT to Do:

• Don't move victim unless immediate danger (fire, structural collapse)
• Don't remove impaled objects
• Don't give food or water (surgery may be needed)
• Don't leave victim alone

Worker Suspended in Fall Arrest System

Immediate Actions:

1. Call 911 immediately
2. Communicate with suspended worker:
   • Are you injured?
   • Can you self-rescue?
   • Can you activate suspension relief straps?
3. Initiate rescue within 15 minutes: Suspension trauma timeline

Rescue Methods (In Order of Preference):

1. Self-Rescue (Best Option):

• Worker lowers themselves using self-rescue device
• Requires pre-installed self-rescue equipment
• Fastest method (2-5 minutes)

2. Suspension Relief (Buys Time):

• Worker deploys suspension relief straps (built into some harnesses)
• Creates "step" to stand on, relieves leg pressure
• Prevents suspension trauma while waiting for rescue
• Buys 30-60 minutes

3. Co-Worker Rescue from Roof:

• Rescuer (wearing fall protection) lowers worker from roof
• Requires rescue equipment (rope, descent device)
• Requires training (practice before emergency)
• Time: 10-20 minutes

4. Fire Department Rescue:

• Call 911, wait for fire department
• Slowest option (15-30 minutes)
• Risk of suspension trauma
• Last resort if other methods fail

After Rescue:

• Do NOT allow victim to stand immediately: Can cause cardiac arrest
• Lay victim down: Horizontal position for 15-20 minutes
• Monitor vital signs: Pulse, breathing, consciousness
• Transport to hospital: Even if victim feels fine (internal injuries possible)

HEAT STROKE EMERGENCIES

Recognizing Heat Stroke

Symptoms:

• Body temperature 104°F or higher
• Hot, dry skin (sweating has stopped)
• Confusion, slurred speech, irritability
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Rapid, strong pulse

Heat Stroke Response (MEDICAL EMERGENCY)

Immediate Actions:

1. Call 911 IMMEDIATELY: Heat stroke is life-threatening
2. Move to cool area: Shade, air-conditioned space
3. Remove excess clothing: Helps body cool
4. Cool body RAPIDLY:
   • Apply ice packs to neck, armpits, groin
   • Spray with cool water
   • Fan to increase evaporation
   • Immerse in cool water if available
   • Goal: Reduce body temp to 102°F within 30 minutes
5. Monitor vital signs: Pulse, breathing, consciousness
6. Do NOT give fluids if unconscious: Choking risk

Continue Cooling Until:

• EMS arrives, OR
• Body temperature drops to 102°F, OR
• Victim starts shivering (sign of overcooling)

CUTS AND LACERATIONS

Minor Cuts (Less than 1 inch, not deep)

Treatment:

1. Wash hands before treating
2. Rinse wound with clean water
3. Apply direct pressure with clean cloth (5-10 minutes)
4. Apply antibiotic ointment
5. Cover with bandage
6. Change bandage daily

Severe Cuts (Deep, long, or bleeding heavily)

Treatment:

1. Call 911 if:
   • Bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes of pressure
   • Cut is deep (can see fat, muscle, or bone)
   • Cut is on face, hand, or joint
   • Object embedded in wound
2. Control bleeding:
   • Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
   • Elevate wound above heart
   • Don't remove cloth if soaked - add more on top
   • Apply pressure for 15-20 minutes
3. Don't remove embedded objects: Stabilize and wait for EMS
4. Treat for shock: Lay victim down, elevate legs, keep warm

NAIL GUN INJURIES

Nail Embedded in Body

Immediate Actions:

1. Call 911: All nail gun injuries require medical evaluation
2. Do NOT remove nail: Can cause severe bleeding
3. Stabilize nail: Prevent movement (tape, gauze padding)
4. Control bleeding: Apply pressure around nail (not on nail)
5. Transport to ER: X-ray needed to assess damage

Special Concerns:

• Head/neck injuries: Can be fatal, immediate 911
• Chest injuries: Can puncture lung/heart, immediate 911
• Abdomen injuries: Can puncture organs, immediate 911
• Hand injuries: Can damage tendons/nerves, requires specialist

ELECTRICAL INJURIES

Electrocution

Immediate Actions:

1. Do NOT touch victim if still in contact with power source: You'll be electrocuted too
2. Shut off power: Circuit breaker, disconnect power line
3. If can't shut off power: Use non-conductive object (dry wood) to separate victim from source
4. Call 911: All electrical injuries require medical evaluation
5. Check for breathing/pulse: Start CPR if needed
6. Treat burns: Cover with clean, dry cloth

Hidden Dangers:

• Electrical injuries can cause internal damage not visible externally
• Cardiac arrest can occur hours after shock
• All victims require hospital evaluation, even if they feel fine

WHEN TO CALL 911

Always Call 911 For:

• Any fall from height (regardless of apparent injuries)
• Head injuries with loss of consciousness
• Suspected spinal injuries
• Severe bleeding that won't stop
• Heat stroke
• Electrical injuries
• Nail gun injuries to head, neck, chest, or abdomen
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Seizures
• Any injury where you're unsure of severity

What to Tell 911:

• Exact location (address, cross streets)
• Type of emergency (fall, heat stroke, etc.)
• Number of victims
• Victim's condition (conscious, breathing, bleeding)
• What you've done so far
• Don't hang up until dispatcher says to

ACCIDENT REPORTING

OSHA/WorkSafeBC Requirements

Must Report Within 8 Hours:

• Any fatality
• Any hospitalization
• Any amputation
• Loss of an eye

Documentation Required:

• Date, time, location of accident
• Names of all involved
• Detailed description of what happened
• Witness statements
• Photos of scene
• Equipment involved (serial numbers, inspection records)

Post-Accident Procedures

Immediate:

• Secure scene (prevent further injuries)
• Don't disturb evidence (unless safety requires it)
• Take photos of scene, equipment, conditions
• Identify witnesses, get contact info

Within 24 Hours:

• Complete accident report
• Interview witnesses
• Inspect equipment involved
• Identify root cause
• Develop corrective actions

RJ Roofing Bros Emergency Procedures

On Every Job Site:

• Emergency action plan posted
• First aid kit (Type III)
• Fire extinguisher
• Fall rescue equipment
• Ice chest (for heat injuries)
• Cell phone with 911 access

Crew Training:

• All crew members first aid certified
• All crew members fall rescue trained
• Quarterly rescue practice drills
• Annual CPR recertification

Our Commitment:

• Safety is our #1 priority
• We stop work for unsafe conditions
• We practice rescue procedures regularly
• We're prepared for emergencies

The Bottom Line

Emergencies happen despite best safety practices. Proper preparation, training, and quick response save lives.

At RJ Roofing Bros, we train for emergencies we hope never happen. Every crew member knows rescue procedures. We practice quarterly. We're prepared. In 8+ years, we've never had a serious injury because we take safety seriously.

Questions about emergency procedures? Call (604) 997-1292