Emergency Response and Electric Shock Plan

Purpose. This plan sets out how Voltline workers respond to electric shock, arc flash, falls, refrigerant releases and fire on customer sites, in vans and in the Braeside workshop.

1.Principles

Every worker must know how to respond to an electric shock before they start on site. The first rule is to protect yourself: do not touch a person in contact with a live source. Isolate the supply or use an insulated object to separate them. Every van carries a first aid kit, a low voltage rescue kit and an emergency contact card, and every licensed electrician and apprentice holds current cardiopulmonary resuscitation and low voltage rescue training.

2.Electric shock response

Isolate the supply. If the casualty is unresponsive, call emergency services, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use the nearest automated external defibrillator. If the casualty is responsive, keep them still and calm, treat any burns, and arrange medical assessment regardless of how minor the shock seems. Report to the supervisor immediately and preserve the scene.

• Do not touch the casualty until the supply is isolated
• Call emergency services for any unresponsive casualty
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator if no signs of life
• Medical assessment for every shock, even without injury
• Report immediately and complete the incident form

3.Arc flash and burns

Move the casualty away from the source once it is safe, cool burns with running water for twenty minutes, cover with a clean dressing, and call emergency services for facial, hand or extensive burns. Do not remove clothing stuck to burns.

4.Falls from height

Do not move a casualty who has fallen unless they are in immediate danger. Call emergency services, keep them warm and monitor breathing. If a worker is suspended in a harness, begin the rescue plan on the job safety analysis immediately to prevent suspension trauma.

5.Refrigerant release

Evacuate the area, ventilate if safe, and keep people away from low lying spaces where refrigerant collects. For ammonia or large releases, call emergency services and use the site's emergency assembly point. Treat cold burns with lukewarm water and seek medical care for any breathing difficulty.

6.Fire

Raise the alarm and isolate electrical supply if it can be done safely. Use a carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguisher on electrical fires only if the fire is small and you have an exit behind you. Never use water on an energised electrical fire.

7.After the emergency

Record the event on the incident form and in the incident register, notify the regulator where required, arrange support for the workers involved and hold a debrief within two business days. Review this plan after every real emergency.