The prevention of population and environment from technological disaster based on Integrate Emergency Management System with key elements: prevention, preparedness, response and relief.

Prevention

has a primary objective - preventing accidents involving hazardous substances and limiting any adverse health consequences should an accident occur.

Management of a hazardous installation has the primary responsibility for designing, constructing and operating the hazardous installation in a safe manner and for developing the means to do so.

Public authorities, including health authorities, in different countries should co-operate and should exchange information, which could help prevent accidents or human exposure to chemicals. Health/medical professionals should be involved in decision-making relating to the prevention of chemical accidents.

Emergency Preparedness

has a primary objective – minimizing negative consequences of accident. The roles and responsibilities of individuals and organizations expected to be involved in emergency response activities should be clearly defined in emergency plans (including learning the warning signs and knowing what to do during an emergency). As part of the emergency planning process, there should be an identification of potential risks and the geographical zones where effects are likely to occur in the event of an accident.

Preparedness (and response) decisions should take into consideration the nature of possible clinical, as well as psychological, effects on those potentially affected, including response personnel, workers, and the local population.

Hospitals and other treatment facilities, which may be called on during response to an accident involving hazardous substances, should develop systems for receiving and handling large numbers of patients at one time.

As part of the planning process, information and communications needs should be examined.

First responders (police, fire and ambulance personnel) should be trained and educated to be able to take appropriate actions to minimize the human health effects of accidents involving hazardous substances.

The effectiveness of training and education programmes should be regularly assessed. As part of this process, simulation exercises should be carried out to test the competency of those likely to be involved in accident response.

Emergency Response

has a primary objective - to protect yourself and others from harm.

Systems should be in place for the collection, dissemination and updating of information available to health/medical personnel and other parties as the emergency response progresses, including medical information or advisories provided to the public via the media.

The on-site coordinator should decide on the immediate actions to take, including actions intended to avoid or limit the exposure to hazardous substances, based on preliminary information concerning the site, nature of the release, hazardous substance(s) involved, and any related analyses. Health/medical personnel should provide assistance, upon request, in arriving at such decisions.

For the appropriate treatment of exposed victims, emergency medical professionals should have access to specialized information and should be able to consult with specialists.

Following an accident, psychological support should be made available at an early stage.

Appropriate follow-up procedures should be put into place for monitoring and observation of persons seemingly unaffected by exposure to hazardous substances.

Efforts should be made by public authorities and industry to improve public awareness of chemical hazards in the community, and of how to respond in the event of an accident, for example through an understanding of the procedures related to possible evacuations and to sheltering in place.

All members of the response community, including members of the health/medical professions, should coordinate with the media in order to ensure that any health-related information disseminated in regard to accidents involving hazardous substances is accurate and consistent.

If an accident occurs, the public should be given, on a continuing basis, specific information on the appropriate behaviour and safety measures to adopt.

Accident relief

Appropriate epidemiological and medical follow-up to chemical accidents should be initiated following the release of toxic chemicals.

Persons who may have had significant exposure to toxic chemicals during an accident, whether they appear to be affected or not, should be examined and properly registered to allow for short- and long-term follow-up. It may advisable to take biological samples for immediate and later analysis.

Management should support the active participation by employees and others in accident investigations.