UWA Hail Storm 2010 Safety Perspectives Mike Rafferty, Associate Director, Safety and Health AUSA Conference July 2011
Aims Critical Incident Management @ UWA Extreme Hail Storm Incident in March 2010 Health and Safety Experiences
Three Phases of a Major Incident Planning (Prevention) Preparation Response Recovery
Identified Threats/Risks Environmental Biological/radiological release Toxic/chemical release Environmental pollution Serious health issue/outbreak of disease Natural disaster Emergency Services Serious act of violence Kidnap and ransom
Identified Threats/Risks Emergency Services (continued) Vehicle accident Major fire/explosion Sabotage of a critical facility Civil unrest Lost group Infrastructure Services Prolonged loss of utilities Prolonged disruption of ICT services
Structure of CIM Team CIM TEAM Duty Officer Incident Manager Public Spokesperson HR Coord. Student Affairs Coord. Emergency Services Coord. ICT Coord. Support Group Coord. Recovery Coord. Media Coord. Commerc. Services Coord. HR / Student Next of Kin Support Team Emergency Control Organisation Telephone Response Team Log Keepers Runners Media Support Team
Critical Incident Management Critical Incident Management and Recovery Manual V1 - April 2008 Mumbia bombings, field trip in Bangalore Nov 2008 Kings Park bushfire January 2009 Swine Flu threat April 2009 (Pandemic Plan) Training and Enhanced Desk Top Exercise June 2009 Extreme Hail Storm March 2010 Critical Incident Management Manual V2 August 2010 Training and Enhanced Desk Top Exercise November 2010, second exercise involving deputies
June 2009
November 2010
Monday 22 nd March 2010
Extreme Hail Storm hits UWA 4.10 pm on Monday 22 nd March 2010 Total rainfall for Monday 22 nd March 2010 was 40 mm (in 1 hour) 23 mm fell in 10 mins (exceeded 1:100 average) Hail up to 6 cm in diameter recorded with average hail of 3-4 cm across many parts of the city Total damage estimated at >$1.2 billion across Perth metro area 136,000 vehicles damaged across Perth metro area UWA sustained damage estimated at >$16 million UWA fleet decimated approx 140 vehicles affected with approx 100 written off Building flooding made worse by drains blocked by vegetation and ice Hail damage windows, structures, vegetation, glasshouses, vehicles, wildlife
What happened
March 2010
Education Fine Arts and Architecture Library (EDFAA) Library Removing priority items from EDFAA including IT equipment and book stock. Hazardous conditions included: lack of lighting a large amount of wet sand and mud covering all areas of the floor a large amount of debris covering all areas of the floor including broken glass, wet books, broken furniture and upturned furniture lack of a lift meaning that recovered items had to be carried upstairs heat and humidity possibility of mosquito infestation possibility of mould growth
Role of Library Disaster Response Plan Safety Officer During initial stages no other roles are undertaken by the Safety Officer as safety is paramount. Ensure all procedures are conducted in a safe manner Ensure all participants in recovery have adequate meal, drink, and rest breaks Ensure provision of drinking water Ensure provision of appropriate personal protection equipment Ensure all staff are signed on and off while working on recovery Ensure that all staff affected know how to access Employee Assistance Program
Diary Monday 22 March 4.10 pm extreme hail storm, Critical Incident Management Team meets, damage reports (150), assessments, contractors Tuesday 23 Wednesday 24 8.40 am All-staff email, website, graduations relocated, Critical Incident Management Teams starts meeting daily Thursday 25 Nedlands campus buildings reopened Friday 26 VC presents to staff from most affected areas Saturday 27 Parent s day (1,000 persons) in Winthrop Hall Monday 29 VC presents to All-staff and students in Winthrop Hall, most water affected large venues reopened for classes Thursday 1 April Local ABC Broadcast from Winthrop Hall Monday 5 April UWA News articles How we weathered the storm Friday 16 April Hail Storm Debriefing meeting Tuesday 29 June Thankyou function, presentation of certificates Friday 29 October UWA Safety Awards
Health and Safety Issues Damage to structures, ceilings, furnishings, vehicles Sharp injuries - broken glass, vegetation Electrical services and equipment Conducting work safely Slips, trips and falls Manual handling Occupational overuse Fatigue management Biological - sewerage, mould, mosquitoes Working at height Demolition Asbestos Psychological support
Health and Safety Roles Emergency Management Plans Critical Incident Management Plan Health and Safety advice, information, equipment, assessments, investigations Psychological support Injury claims
Impacts Severe disruption to operations including impacts on Research, teaching and operations Financial impact, $16 m insurance + personal losses
Considerations Few injuries Response of staff, students, contractors, FESA, insurers Implementation of plans, training, communications Rapid recovery for most operations Heightened awareness of natural incidents Media coverage Asbestos removal
UWA information: http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201003232304/staffhailstorm-damage-and-clean http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201003262330/all-staffbriefing-monday EDFAA Flooding Library: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckdwewzrcze