Building a Safer Workplace: The Vital Role of Earthquake and Fire Drills

Safety in the workplace is paramount, especially in fast-growing, dynamic regions like the UAE. Although the country is not known for frequent seismic activity, the risk remains significant enough to warrant thorough preparedness. Oasis Enterprises (Al Shirawi Group) recently conducted a comprehensive twin drill exercise, addressing the critical scenarios of earthquakes and fire hazards in alignment with Dubai Municipality's technical guidelines for emergency preparedness.

While fire hazards remain a primary concern in UAE corporate offices due to the urban landscape, evolving infrastructure, and hot climate pose potential dangers. Acting in good time to conduct emergency evacuation exercises remain the Best Practice to ensure an optimum emergency response.

Planning for Potential Emergencies: The Scope of Oasis Enterprises' Twin Drills

Led by Keneth Sah , head of health and safety, the twin drills conducted at Oasis Enterprises (Al Shirawi Group) were a vital exercise in ensuring employee preparedness. The identified and documented potential emergencies in the entity’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan encompass:

1.Earthquakes,

2.Fires,

3.& Medical scenarios (including heart attacks, asthma attacks, burns, cuts/lacerations, and poison)

The plan, meticulously crafted, addressed several crucial aspects:

1. Practicality of the emergency response plan: Ensuring that all elements of the procedure are feasible.

2. Adequacy of communications: Assessing the effectiveness of communication among partakers (including the visitors, employees, and the emergency management team).

3. Effectiveness of emergency equipment: Testing the efficacy and operability of equipment like fire extinguishers and first aid kits with the fire wardens and first aiders.

4. First aid and rescue procedures: Evaluating the ability of trained personnel to provide prompt assistance

5. Training of emergency personnel: Ensuring that designated emergency team members were well-versed in their roles and responsibilities.

6. Public relations skills: Emphasizing the importance of communicating with external parties, such as civil defense or media, in the event of an emergency.

7. Evacuation and personnel count procedures: Ensuring that all employees were conversant with the requirement of reporting to the assembly point for head count.

Pre-Drill Preparation and Execution

The plan and drill scope were clearly communicated to all employees ahead of time, for proper perusal and familiarization with the process and expectations. This preparation helped ensure that employees respond quickly and efficiently during the actual drill, eliminating potential confusion in a real emergency.

Oasis Enterprises ensures compliance by maintaining third-party trained fire wardens and first aiders. These trained individuals were strategically positioned across different sections of the office to offer immediate assistance in case of evacuation, injuries, or ill health during the emergency drill exercises. Prior to the drills, the fire wardens and first aiders attended an emergency team briefing to align their strategies to the overall objectives, ensuring they were ready and possessing the abilities to act as first responders if necessary.

Continual Improvement through Annual Drills

To maintain a high level of preparedness, Oasis Enterprises conducts full evacuation drills for earthquake, fire and medical at least once a year. These drills are essential in ensuring that all personnel, as well as the response team members, remain familiar with the emergency procedures. The scheduling of drills, observations made during them, and any corrective actions are systematically recorded for future reference and improvement.

In conclusion, the twin drills at Oasis Enterprises reinforced the importance of being prepared for any emergency scenario. By conducting such exercises in line with local guidelines and regulations, the company does not only ensure compliance but equally protects its employees in line with business continuity in the face of unforeseen disasters. The Level of Preparedness determines the Level of Response.