Discuss the following topics with each other:

1. How do I know how to act in case of accidents and incidents.
2. I am familiar with the Emergencies and Incidents action list and I know what it is intended for.
3. The Emergencies and Incidents action list is always visibly present at the current project site.
   

During this toolbox meeting we are going to talk about:

• What to do in case of accidents and incidents;
• The difference between the Alarm Card and the Emergencies and Incidents action list;
• When to use the Emergencies and Incidents action list;
• How to use the Emergencies and Incidents action list.
  

You are probably already familiar with your project’s Alarm Card. The Alarm Card is usually posted in the site hut and contains the most important contact details of the colleagues within your own project organization that must be immediately informed in case of incidents and accidents. This then enables them to provide First Aid or company emergency response (CER) assistance. Furthermore, the Alarm Card describes what you must do in the first instance in case of specific incidents.

Examples:

• When a hazardous substance leaks into the soil;
• When you unexpectedly encounter unexploded ordnance (UXO);
  

• When a fire has erupted on the project site.
  

The Alarm Card is completed by the work planner and attached as an annex to the H&S Plan and must also clearly visibly be posted in the site hut.

The Emergencies and incidents action list

After implementing immediate measures, it is important to also inform other colleagues and departments outside your own project organization about the incident that has occurred. It is important that colleagues and supervisors are informed of the incident in order to prevent miscommunication and to ensure you receive the support you need.

For example:

• The Communications department for questions from the media; not very helpful if they don’t know anything;
• The Insurance department that has to contact the insurance company; and
• Naturally the Quality & Safety department to investigate the incident.

All accidents and (environmental) incidents must be recorded in IRES (Incident Registration System); this is also specified on the Emergencies and Incidents action list. Should various departments be unable to quickly arrive onsite, make lots of photos (detail and overview).

Accident investigation

A thorough accident investigation enables us to better identify the causes of an accident. When we know the causes, we are in a better position to take the necessary measures to prevent similar accidents from occurring. This is why it is important to use the Emergencies and Incidents action list when something goes wrong on your project.

• After a (serious) accident, leave the (work) situation intact;
• Take photos and, where possible, help the Quality and Safety department with the accident investigation.
  

https://www.geenongevallen.nl/labels/HEIJMANS/image/Calamiteiten_Actielijst_Heijmans.pdf

• The management team (party with final responsibility in case of accidents) would not be familiar with an accident that occurred within their business unit.
  

What you must do:

• Ensure that the Emergencies and Incidents action list, as well as the Alarm Card, is visibly present at the site and that you have discussed it with the project team;
• Familiarize yourself with the contents of the Emergencies and Incidents action list by thoroughly reviewing it using the Heijmans GO! app or at www.geenongevallen.nl under the ‘Emergencies & accidents’ button.
• Once a year, conduct an (environmental) emergency exercise at one of your projects. Only then does one often discover how difficult it is to act quickly and to get hold of the right colleagues when there is an accident.