Emergency Response Plan, Dandenong South Distribution Centre

Purpose. This plan sets out how the distribution centre responds to fire, dangerous goods spills, medical emergencies, structural collapse of racking, vehicle incidents on site and external threats.

1.Emergency control organisation

The chief warden is the Warehouse Operations Manager on day shift and the afternoon shift team leader after 2:30 pm. Area wardens are appointed for receiving, picking, the chilled chamber, the dangerous goods store and the office. First aiders are listed on the noticeboard at each first aid station. Wardens wear the coloured caps kept at each warden point.

2.Alarms and evacuation

The alert tone means prepare to evacuate; the evacuation tone means leave now by the nearest safe exit and go to the assembly area in the north car park. Forklift operators must lower forks, switch off and remove the key before leaving. Wardens will sweep their area, close doors and report to the chief warden. No one re-enters until the chief warden gives the all clear.

• Assembly area: north car park beside the weighbridge
• Alternative assembly area: front lawn on the western boundary
• Visitors and drivers evacuate with the person who signed them in

3.Fire

Raise the alarm at the nearest break glass point. Trained staff will attempt to extinguish a small fire only if it is safe to do so and an exit is behind them. Fires in the dangerous goods store or involving lithium batteries are not to be fought by staff; evacuate and inform emergency services of the products involved using the dangerous goods manifest.

4.Dangerous goods spill or leak

Stop the source if it is safe, keep people away, and use the spill kit for the class of product only if trained and wearing the personal protective equipment listed in the safety data sheet. Larger spills or any vapour release require evacuation of the store and the adjoining aisles and a call to emergency services. Contain run-off from entering stormwater drains.

5.Medical emergency

Call for the nearest first aider and, for any serious injury, call emergency services and send a person to the front gate to guide them in. Do not move a person who has fallen from height or been struck by plant unless they are in immediate danger. Record the event in the incident register once the person is cared for.

6.Racking collapse or vehicle incident on site

Clear the area, isolate the aisle with barrier tape and stop all forklift movements in the affected zone. Do not attempt to recover product until an engineer or the racking supplier has inspected the structure. Vehicle incidents on the dock or in the yard are treated as a stop work event for that area.

7.Drills and review

An evacuation drill will be run on each shift at least twice a year and a dangerous goods spill drill once a year. Each drill is debriefed and the plan updated where it did not work. The plan is reviewed annually and after any real emergency.