The Next Step - Implementing and Testing an Emergency Response Plan, 1992 Engineering Conference Proceedings

The St. Helens pulp and paper mill’s emergency response plan evolved from the Chlorine Emergency Plan. The first full scale, millwide evacuation drill occurred in 1989. The plan exercised conforms to the numerous requirements of 1910.120 (Haz Mat, Haz Whopper), as well as the various OSHA, SARA Title III, RICRA, etc., legislations. Three millwide emergency drills to date have confirmed the need for such a plan, established protocols to resolve each plan element, ensured that conflicts do not occur between elements, and each employee is trained as to what response is required. The plan continues to evolve primarily from critiquing these drills as well as from outside agency changes.

Direct benefits occur to the employee from greatly enhanced safety as well as a more secure place of employment; to the company from the above enhanced employee relations, but also direct financial gain from reduced potential for the exercised events to occur, and reduced damage when an unexpected event does occur. Further, the legal liabilities from agency inspections, fines, etc. are sharply reduced. The community is better protected, both from potential medical trauma and a better protected tax base. The company shareholder is also better served by avoiding financial losses, direct costs for medical and/or operating expenses, fines from various agencies, and major negative publicity.