Timeline of Organizational Roles in a Disaster Cycle - Assignment Example

Timeline of Organizational Roles in a Disaster Cycle Name Professor Institution Course Date Timeline of Organizational Roles in a Disaster Cycle Summary of the organizations Industrial fire disasters are on the rise in 21st century. Research has however, shown that such kind of disaster are today caused majorly by human faults rather than just being natural (McElreath et al. 2014, p.5). In this essay, a research will be conducted in various organizations so as to outline which stage of the disaster cycle of industrial fire they are involved. Baird (2010) pointed out that the cycle has four phases comprising of preparedness, planning, response and recovery. The essay will focus on companies such as Wesfarmers Limited, Royal Darwin Hospital, Coca-Cola Amatil, Alphapharm, BHP Billiton, and Incitec Pivot. Wesfarmers Limited, Alphapharm, and Incitec Pivot production processes use explosive chemical which can cause industrial fire. On the other hand, Royal Darwin Hospital has electrical faults which are also risks to industrial fire. In addition, Coca-Cola Amatil production process involves chemical reaction which can ignite fire. PREPAREDNESS Wesfarmers Limited Wesfarmers is an Australian multinational company which manufactures fertilizers, chemical and industrial products (Wesfarmers Limited 2016). The production of the chemical products is rigorous process which can high explode causing huge fire. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (2016) claimed that the incident of fire exposes the life of employees to risk as they can sustain burns or can even die. The company puts up preparedness plans which can help put out the fire. Occupational safety and health department buys fire extinguishers every year which can help the company in curtailing industrial fire situations (Wesfarmers Limited 2016). Royal Darwin Hospital Royal Darwin Hospital is a public hospital established in 1874 in Northern Territory, Australia (Royal Darwin Hospital 2016). The hospital has grown over the years to become the largest hospital in Northern Territory. As an institution which has existed from many years, it can be vulnerable to fire majorly of type E which is normally caused by electrical wire faults. Most electrical wires are worn out. The ductwork is also worn out and might not be effective in cooling. Australia Royal Darwin Hospital (2016) stated that the hospital often repairs its faulty wires and fire dampers as a way of preparedness to fire disasters which can strike anytime. Coca-Cola Amatil Coca-Cola Amatil Company is non-alcoholic and alcoholic drink manufacturer which operates in Australia, New Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Indonesia, Samoa and Fiji (Coca-Cola Amatil 2016). Quinlan, Bohle and Lamm (2010, p. 31) opined that Coca-Cola Amatil production entails chemical reaction which can sometimes result to industrial fire. For example, the company has been using brominated vegetable oil, a substance which is flame retardant in the beverages. However, the company has put up preparedness measures by investing in fire extinguishers to reduce chance of fire disasters in the plant (Coca-Cola Amatil 2016). Alphapharm Alphapharm is an Australian company which manufactures generic drug. According to Alphapharm (2016), the company has grown over the and now exports to over 50 nations across the globe. Quinlan, Bohle andLamm (2010, p. 64) opined that manufacture of drugs makes use of various chemicals which could be flammable in nature. Similarly, the company is at risk of dust explosion from dust which accumulates and ignites during production. The Alphapharm management has implemented preparedness strategies which recommended training on fire safety risk particularly on flammable dust and flammable chemical reactions (Alphapharm 2016). BHP Billiton BHP Billiton is multinational mining company with headquarters in Australia and specializes in minerals, petroleum and metals (BHP Billiton 2016). Extraction of metals is a process which normally pollute the environmental hence affecting the humanity. On the other hand, Cowie et al. (2012, p. 320) claimed that miners also face health concerns as they are exposed to gases or elements which can explode and cause fire. Mining fields normally have those combustible gases and elements which react and can cause fire. The company prepares miners and other employees on the mining on fire safety and equips them with fire extinguishers (BHP Billiton 2016). Incitec Pivot Incitec Pivot is a multinational company located in Australia and produces explosives chemicals, fertilizer, and also offers mining service (Incitec Pivot 2016). Eckerman (2011, p.305) asserted that explosive chemical are majorly of made of gases and other toxic substances and can cause huge industrial fire. Flammable chemical and liquid can ignite fire which can result to destruction of property and even injuries or death. Therefore, Incitec Pivot have purchased fire smoke detectors which sense if the chemicals are about to ignite (Incitec Pivot 2016). PLANNING Wesfarmers Limited Wesfarmers Limited has put up various planning measures to reduce to ensure they can handle the emergency that can befall the organization. The company has identified high risk areas as flammable chemical and industrial products and plans well by setting enough funds for occupational health and safety training and funds for buying suppression systems (Wesfarmers Limited 2016). Royal Darwin Hospital As a public hospital has lasted for several years and has several faulty electrical wires which are often repaired and cannot be done at once because it will stall operations of the company. The company has set funds for repair of new old electrical wire and electrical codes for the electrical wiring in the new buildings (Royal Darwin Hospital 2016). Coca-Cola Amatil As a production company, Coca-Cola Amatil can face inferno from chemical reactions. Bendig et al., (2012, p.680) contended that brominated vegetable oil which the company continue to use is known to ignite fire. However, they have been planning for such eventuality by connecting flame and Linear heat detection in most of their production machines. Coca-Cola Amatil is also planning to away with brominated vegetable oil by the end of 2016 to reduce risk of fire ignition (Coca-Cola Amatil 2016). Alphapharm Machines used by Alphapharm for manufacturing generic often run the risk of accumulating dust which can ignite industrial fire any time during production. To suppress such situation, the company often plans a budget for purchasing and replacing spark detection systems (Alphapharm 2016). Industrial Fire Prevention (2016) pointed out that spark detection system is a tool used to protect the company from the combustible dust explosion or fire. BHP Billiton BHP Billiton mining activities affects the health of employees and society since it exposes them to combustible gases and elements which can cause fire. BHP Billiton (2016) posited that the company has corporate social responsibility program which ensure the company protects employees and society from harm from fire or greenhouse gases. In their safety planning, the company has acquired Combustion Gas detection system which senses the potential ignition which can cause fire (Industrial Fire Prevention 2016). Incitec Pivot Explosive chemical produced by Incitec Pivot are very dangerous and can even explode during production and cause fire to the company (Eckerman 2011, p.303). The production has negative effect on health of employees when openly exposed. The company has planned for training program which focuses on fire risks assessments, emergency drills and evacuation, and conducted three times a year (Incitec Pivot 2016). RESPONSE Wesfarmers Limited The first response of fire at Wesfarmers Limited is often the evacuation of the employees (Wesfarmers Limited 2016). However, in case Wesfarmers Limited employees sustain burns, fire safety code outline first aid as the when involves cooling the burn, protecting the burn and treating pain. The first aid can then seek medical treatment for the victim (Work Health and Safety Act 2011 2016). Royal Darwin Hospital Royal Darwin Hospital first response whenever there is industrial fire is the evacuation. The evacuation exercise is followed by fire fighting particularly by use of fire extinguishers. The company recommend fire extinguisher because water can be a conductor of heat hence refueling the situation (Royal Darwin Hospital 2016). The company electrical engineer can be called to switch off power supply from switches and main supply. Coca-Cola Amatil When a disaster like inferno strikes Coca-Cola Amatil, the first response by the management is often the evacuation of employees to make them safe while the few who have sustain burns are taken to healthcare department for first aid. Some employees who understand fire safety can help in putting out the fire through application of fire extinguisher to avoid the spread to larger area (Coca-Cola Amatil 2016). Alphapharm Just like most companies which make generic drugs, Alphapharm employees are exposed to chemicals which can explode (Zhi-dong et al. 2011, p 203). The company through their safety code spells out using fire extinguisher and combustible chemical absorbents to put out the fire. BHP Billiton Cowie et al. (2012, p. 322) opined that Oil exploration and mining as carried by BHP Billiton produces combustible gases like natural gas and hydrogen can explode and cause huge fire and put the life of miners at risk. In an event that heavy gas emission takes place, BHP Billiton normally use adsorbents to absorb these gases or use oxidation to neutralize the gases to make it safe (BHP Billiton 2016). Incitec Pivot As stated earlier, Incitec Pivot production processes sometimes pose environment health risk by emitting greenhouse gas into atmosphere particularly production of explosive chemicals (Gurtu, Searcy & Jaber 2016, p.264). At the response stage, the company often evacuates employees whenever there are fires (Damalas and Eleftherohorinos 2011, p.1406). The experts are then called to neutralize the reactive chemical so as to stop fueling the fire. Oxidation materials, fire extinguishers and fire engines are normally used in this situation. RECOVERY Wesfarmers Limited Wesfarmers recovery program to fire caused by chemical and industrial products reaction is conducted by constructing new building, buying new machine and putting suppression systems into place (Baird 2010). The management also continues with constant training on occupational health and safety (Wesfarmers Limited 2016). Royal Darwin Hospital Royal Darwin Hospital recovery approaches to electrical faults involve repairing the electrical systems by doing a new wiring approach or constructing new buildings to completely restore normalcy (Baird 2010). The situation makes it safe for Royal Darwin Hospital employees and risk of electrical fires. In the perspective of burns, the victim is total treated to reduce pain and to restore his or her health (Royal Darwin Hospital 2016). Coca-Cola Amatil The event of fire, Coca-Cola Amatil the recovery to normalcy is often concluded by the buying fire detection or suppression machines (Baird 2010, p. 43). The process offers numerous opportunities since it improves prevention and intensifies preparedness, hence reducing vulnerability to such disasters in future. For example, during construction of the destroyed structure, the company connects flame and linear heat detection which identify is production process is likely to cause fire (Walker 2010). Alphapharm The company has an elaborate recovery program which entails repairing a machines emits chemical, providing protective gears and buying equipment which new neutralizes the small of chemical in drug manufacturing plant (Alphapharm 2016). BHP Billiton The recovery stage of BHP Billiton fire disaster caused by flammable gases is done by adopting Combustion Gas detection system which detect a possible ignition then alerting the miner to neutralize gases. similarly, Gurtu, Searcya and Jaber (2016, 262) claimed that the company has also purchased and built boilers, thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants which oxidizes gases making them less combustible. Incitec Pivot The recovery phase of explosives chemicals disaster involves purchasing new machines which can covert liquid chemicals to dry chemical which are less flammable (Incitec Pivot 2016). Similarly, the company provides full and comprehensive treatment to people affected by combustible chemicals. References Alphapharm 2016, Alphapharm Official Website, Viewed 1st June 2016 http://www.alphapharm.com.au/ Baird, M.E 2010, The "Phases" of Emergency Management, Vanderbilt Center for Transportation Research. Bendig, P, Maier, L, Vetter, W, Vetter, M 2012, Brominated vegetable oil in soft drinks – an underrated source of human organobromine intake, Food Chemistry Vol.133, No.3, pp. 678–682 BHP Billiton 2016, BHP Billiton Official Website, Viewed 1st June 2016, http://www.bhpbilliton.com/ Coca-Cola Amatil 2016, Coca-Cola Amatil Official Website, Viewed 1st June 2016 https://www.ccamatil.com/ Cowie, M, Mously, K, Fageeha, O & Nassar, R 2012, NORM Management in the oil and gas industry, Annals of ICRP, Vol.41, No.(3-4), pp.318-331. Damalas, C.A & Eleftherohorinos, I.G 2011, Pesticide Exposure, Safety Issues, and Risk Assessment Indicators, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.8, No.5, pp.1402-1419. Eckerman I 2011, Bhopal Gas Catastrophy 1984: Causes and consequences, In Nriagu JO. Encyclopedia of Environmental Health 1, Burlington, Elsevier, pp. 302–316. Gurtu, A, Searcy, C & Jaber, M.Y 2016, Framework for Reducing Global Manufacturing Emissions, Journal of Environment & Development, Vol. 25, No.2, pp. 159–190. Incitec Pivot 2016, Incitec Pivot Official Website, Viewed 1st June 2016 from http://www.incitecpivot.com/ Industrial Fire Prevention 2016, Fire Prevention and Fire Protection: "Protecting Production – Saving Lives", Viewed 1st June 2016 from http://www.industrialfireprevention.com/Fire_Protection.html McElreath, D, Doss, D, Jensen, C, Wigginton, M, Nations, R, Van Slyke, J, Nations, J 2014, Foundations of Emergency Management (1st ed.), Kendall-Hunt Publishing Company. Quinlan, M, Bohle, P & Lamm, F 2010, Managing occupational health and safety: A Multidisciplinary approach 3rd Ed, Palgrave Macmillan. Royal Darwin Hospital 2016, Royal Darwin Hospital Official Website, Viewed 1st June 2016 http://www.royaldarwinhospital.nt.gov.au/ Wesfarmers Limited 2016, Wesfarmers Official Website, Viewed 1st June 2016 http://www.wesfarmers.com.au/ Walker, K 2010, Advances in accident prevention, Steel Times International, pp.38–39. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 2016, Work Health and Safety Act 2011 No 10, Viewed on 1st June 2016 from http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/act+10+2011+pt.2+0+N?tocnav=y Zhi-dong, L, Zhang Shu-shen, Z, Yun, Z, Yong, Z & Li, W 2011, Evaluation of cleaner production audit in pharmaceutical production industry: case study of the pharmaceutical plant in Dalian, P. R. China, Clean Techn Environ Policy, Vol.13, pp.195–206. Read More