Emergency Response & Evacuation Plan

Table of Contents

1. Purpose & Scope
2. Legal Requirements
3. Site-Specific Emergency Plan
4. Muster Points & Headcount
5. Emergency Contacts
6. Fire Evacuation Procedures
7. Severe Weather Response
8. Medical Emergency Response
9. Critical Injury Notification
10. Communication Equipment
11. HCMI Emergency Plan Template
12. Drills & Review

1. Purpose & Scope

Construction sites present unique emergency challenges: changing layouts, multiple trades working simultaneously, temporary structures, heavy equipment, and evolving hazards. This guide establishes HCMI's emergency response framework for every church construction project we manage in Ontario.

Every worker on an HCMI site must know the emergency plan before beginning work. The site supervisor reviews the emergency plan during the site orientation and at every major project phase change. Visitors must be escorted and briefed on evacuation routes and muster points before entering any active work area.

2. Legal Requirements

• O. Reg. 213/91 s.17 — the constructor must establish written emergency procedures for the project before work begins, including procedures for medical emergencies and rescue.
• O. Reg. 213/91 s.18 — adequate first aid equipment, supplies, and services must be provided as required by Regulation 1101 (First Aid Requirements).
• OHSA s.25(2)(h) — employers must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.
• OHSA s.51-52 — immediate notification and written reporting requirements for critical injuries and fatalities.
• Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07) — fire safety requirements including hot work permits, fire extinguisher placement, and emergency access routes.
• O. Reg. 834 (Critical Injury — Definition) — defines what constitutes a critical injury requiring MOL notification.

3. Site-Specific Emergency Plan

Each HCMI church construction project must have a written emergency plan that addresses the unique conditions of that site. The plan must include:

• Site map showing all buildings, work areas, access roads, and surrounding properties (churches often have adjacent active worship spaces, daycare facilities, or schools).
• Evacuation routes marked on the site map with primary and secondary escape paths from every work area.
• Muster point locations identified and marked with signage.
• Emergency vehicle access routes confirmed with local fire department, kept clear at all times.
• Utility shut-off locations for gas, electrical, and water clearly marked on the site map.
• Hazardous material storage locations identified with SDS binder locations noted.
• First aid station location with supplies appropriate for the number of workers per O. Reg. 1101.
• Names and contact information for all designated emergency response personnel on the project.

The emergency plan is a living document. It must be updated whenever the site layout changes significantly, new hazards are introduced, or emergency personnel change. The site supervisor reviews the plan at minimum monthly.

4. Muster Points & Headcount

HCMI requires at least one designated muster point per project, located a minimum of 30 metres from the nearest building or structure and clear of vehicle traffic routes. For church projects with active congregation areas, muster points must be positioned to avoid interfering with church operations.

Headcount procedures:

1. The site supervisor or designated person maintains a daily sign-in sheet for all workers, visitors, and delivery personnel on site.
2. Upon evacuation, all personnel proceed to the muster point immediately.
3. The site supervisor or designate conducts a headcount using the sign-in sheet within five minutes of the evacuation alarm.
4. Any missing persons are reported to emergency services immediately. No one re-enters the site to search for missing persons.
5. The all-clear is given only by the site supervisor after confirmation from emergency services that it is safe to return.

5. Emergency Contacts

The following emergency contacts must be posted at all HCMI site trailers, first aid stations, and at each muster point:

• Emergency Services: 911 (fire, police, ambulance)
• Poison Control Centre: 1-800-268-9017
• MLITSD Health & Safety Contact Centre: 1-877-202-0008 (critical injury reporting)
• HCMI Head Office: 519-509-6363
• HCMI Safety Coordinator: [name and cell phone posted on site-specific plan]
• Project Manager: [name and cell phone posted on site-specific plan]
• Nearest hospital with emergency department: [address and directions posted on site-specific plan]
• Utility emergency contacts: gas company, electrical utility, water utility [site-specific]

6. Fire Evacuation Procedures

Construction sites have elevated fire risk due to hot work (welding, cutting, soldering), temporary heating, flammable materials, and exposed combustibles. HCMI fire evacuation procedures:

1. Discovery: If you discover a fire, alert everyone in the immediate area by shouting "Fire!" loudly and clearly.
2. Alarm: Activate the site fire alarm (air horn or designated alarm system). If none available, use a vehicle horn in three long blasts.
3. Attempt to extinguish only if the fire is small (no larger than a waste basket), you have the correct extinguisher, you have a clear escape route behind you, and you have been trained in fire extinguisher use. If any condition is not met, evacuate immediately.
4. Evacuate: Use the nearest safe exit route. Do not use elevators or hoists. Help anyone who needs assistance.
5. Assemble: Proceed directly to the designated muster point.
6. Report: The site supervisor calls 911 and conducts the headcount.
7. Do not re-enter until the fire department gives the all-clear and the site supervisor authorizes re-entry.

Fire extinguisher requirements: ABC-rated extinguishers must be placed within 23 metres of travel distance from any point on the project, per the Ontario Fire Code. Extinguishers must be inspected monthly and annually serviced. Hot work requires a dedicated fire watch with an extinguisher for a minimum of 60 minutes after hot work ceases.

7. Severe Weather Response

Tornado Warning

1. Monitor Environment Canada weather alerts. The site supervisor will sound the evacuation alarm if a tornado warning is issued for the area.
2. All workers descend from heights immediately. Crane operations cease and the crane is secured.
3. Take shelter in the lowest interior area of a permanent structure (e.g., the existing church basement if accessible and safe). If no permanent structure is available, workers move to a ditch or low-lying area away from vehicles, equipment, and trees.
4. Stay sheltered until the tornado warning expires or the site supervisor gives the all-clear.

Lightning

1. Apply the 30/30 rule: if the time between lightning flash and thunder is 30 seconds or less, all outdoor work stops.
2. Workers at heights (scaffolds, roofs, steel structure) descend immediately at the first sign of an approaching electrical storm.
3. Crane operations cease when lightning is within 16 km (10 miles) of the site.
4. Take shelter in a permanent structure or an enclosed metal-bodied vehicle. Do not shelter under trees, scaffolding, or metal structures.
5. Wait 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder before resuming outdoor work.

Extreme Heat

When the Humidex reaches 35 or higher, HCMI implements the heat stress protocol: increased water breaks (every 20 minutes), shaded rest areas, buddy system monitoring, and modified work schedules to avoid peak heat hours. Workers showing signs of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness) must stop work and be moved to a cool area immediately.

8. Medical Emergency Response

The HCMI medical emergency response chain:

1. Assess the scene for safety. Do not become a second casualty. Ensure the hazard that caused the injury is controlled.
2. Call 911 if the injury appears serious (unconsciousness, severe bleeding, suspected fractures, chest pain, difficulty breathing, falls from height).
3. Provide first aid using your training. At least one certified first aider per O. Reg. 1101 must be on site at all times. Use the first aid kit and AED (where available).
4. Do not move the injured person unless they are in immediate danger (fire, structural collapse, toxic atmosphere).
5. Notify the site supervisor who will coordinate with emergency services, ensure the access route is clear, and assign someone to meet the ambulance at the site entrance.
6. Document the incident in the first aid log and complete an HCMI incident report within 24 hours.

9. Critical Injury Notification

A critical injury as defined by O. Reg. 834 includes any injury that places life in jeopardy, produces unconsciousness, results in substantial loss of blood, involves a fracture of a leg or arm (not a finger or toe), involves amputation of a leg, arm, hand, or foot, consists of burns to a major portion of the body, or causes loss of sight in an eye.

The HCMI critical injury notification sequence:

1. Provide emergency first aid and call 911.
2. Secure and preserve the accident scene. Do not disturb anything except to provide first aid or prevent further injury.
3. Call the MLITSD Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008 immediately (OHSA s.51).
4. Notify the JHSC or health and safety representative immediately.
5. Notify the HCMI safety coordinator and project manager immediately.
6. A written report must be submitted to the MLITSD Director within 48 hours (OHSA s.52).
7. File WSIB Form 7 within three business days.

10. Communication Equipment

Every HCMI construction site must have reliable communication equipment for emergency response:

• Cell phones: the site supervisor must have a charged cell phone with reliable service at all times. For sites with poor cell reception, a signal booster or landline must be arranged.
• Two-way radios: required on sites with multiple buildings or work areas where line-of-sight communication is not possible.
• Air horn: a compressed-air horn serves as the evacuation alarm. Three long blasts = evacuate to muster point. Located at the site trailer and at each first aid station.
• Signage: emergency contact numbers, evacuation routes, and muster point locations must be posted at multiple visible locations throughout the site.

11. HCMI Emergency Plan Template

Every HCMI project uses a standardized emergency plan template that includes the following sections, completed by the site supervisor before work begins:

1. Project name, address, and nearest intersection.
2. Constructor and employer information.
3. Site map with evacuation routes, muster points, fire extinguisher locations, first aid stations, and utility shut-offs.
4. Emergency contact list (911, MLITSD, HCMI head office, project manager, safety coordinator, nearest hospital with directions).
5. Names and qualifications of designated first aiders on site.
6. Specific procedures for: fire, medical emergency, critical injury, severe weather, structural collapse, hazardous material spill, and utility failure.
7. Communication plan (alarm signals, radio channels, phone tree).
8. Special considerations (adjacent active worship spaces, school zones, daycare proximity, public access areas).
9. Drill schedule (minimum one evacuation drill per project phase).
10. Plan review dates and revision log.

The completed template is reviewed by the HCMI safety coordinator before work begins and is posted in the site trailer. A copy is maintained in the HCMI head office project file.

12. Drills & Review

HCMI requires emergency evacuation drills at the following intervals:

• Within the first week of project start-up.
• At each major phase change (e.g., foundation to framing, framing to enclosure).
• Whenever there is a significant change in the site layout or workforce composition.
• At minimum every three months on long-duration projects.

Drills are documented with the date, time, number of participants, evacuation time, and any deficiencies noted. Corrective actions for deficiencies must be implemented before the next work shift. Drill records are maintained in the project safety file.

The emergency plan is reviewed and updated whenever site conditions change, at minimum monthly during active construction, and after any actual emergency event.