Extreme Weather Preparedness: Canadian Centre

EXTREME SITUATIONS

Weather Serves up Threats for Every Season

LIKE MANY NATIONS, Canada is seeing an increase in the number of extreme weather events happening each year due to climate change. In 2021 alone, there were 13 catastrophic weather events causing billions of dollars in damages. These events can take the form of heatwaves, wildfires, floods, extreme cold, tornadoes, hurricanes, hailstorms or smog.

During an emergency, important decisions need to be made swiftly. A lack of resources, protocols or trained personnel can lead to panic, the consequences of which can be severe. A well-developed emergency response plan that accounts for each type of climate emergency can reduce the risk of worker injuries and incidents, and prevent or minimize damage to property, equipment, materials, and the environment.

An extreme weather event may not have happened nearby, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have an impact. Climate emergencies can bring about hazards such as fires, explosions, poor air quality, building collapses, structural failures, spills and the unintentional releases of chemicals. There may also be equipment malfunctions, loss of power and water, or stranded workers to contend with.

ASSESS RISK Perform a vulnerability assessment to identify which extreme weather events could occur in the area, then determine what the hazards and risks would be to workers and the organization if those events happened. Specific hazards and risks will depend on several factors such as location, weather trends, severity, as well as the size and type of the workplace. Some questions include: • What are the capabilities to respond to an emergency? • How does the layout of the premises factor in? • Is there ready access to emergency services under regular circumstances? • Will these emergency services be available to a specified workplace in a widespread emergency?

After all the hazards have been identified for each climate emergency, conduct a risk assessment to evaluate the risks that each of these hazards pose to workers, property and the environment.

To assess risk, consider the likelihood and severity of harm or damage. This assessment will help with prioritization and resource allocation during emergency planning and, most importantly, the

HIGHER CANCER RATES SEEN IN AFTERMATH OF WILDFIRES

Canadian researchers have conducted the first-ever epidemiological study of cancer trends in the aftermath of wildfires. Findings published this spring in the international medical science and health news journal, The Lancet, reveal a heightened incidence of brain and lung cancers in the vicinities where wildfires have occurred, but little discernible increase in blood cancers.

The research team — from McGill University, Statistics Canada and Health Canada — drew data from the 1996 Canadian Census health and environmental cohort, which tracks a statistically representative sampling of approximately 3.6 million people for the occurrence of cancer and cancer-related mortality in the period from 1996 to 2015. This was further scoped to people between the ages of 25 and 89 who had resided in Canada since at least 1986, lived outside Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver (i.e. in cities with fewer than 1.5 million residents) and within a 50-kilometre radius of areas burned in a wildfire. Those areas were pinpointed using Canada’s national burn area composite (NBAC) geographic information system (GIS) database.

Wildfires emit an array of carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, formaldehyde, phenols and heavy metals. Health researchers are additionally focused on the potential consequences of long-term or chronic exposure given that some regions are routinely prone to wildfires.

“Although some pollutants return to normal concentrations shortly after the fire has stopped burning (eg, fine particulate air pollution), other chemicals might persist in the environment for long periods of time, including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. As such, exposure to harmful environmental pollutants might continue beyond the period of active burning through several routes of exposure,” the study authors hypothesize.

The study conclusions emphasize that there are many variables to consider, but this initial examination finds a 10% higher rate of brain cancer and 4.9% higher incidence of lung cancer among those exposed to wildfire emissions in the previous 10 years. The authors note that there are many more factors to be considered and tackled in future research, including other types of cancers to which wildfire exposure may contribute and the health impact of the psychological stress wildfires are likely to cause for nearby residents.

They also project that such research will become increasingly relevant. “With the changing climate, wildfires are predicted to become more prevalent, severe and longer in duration in the future, and are increasingly recognized as a population health problem,” they reiterate.

Long-term exposure to wildfires and cancer incidence in Canada: a population-based observational cohort study is available with open access on The Lancet Planetary Health website at www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/home

development of proper emergency response procedures.

For example: Is there an area where flammables, explosives or chemicals are used or stored? Consider the possibility that one event could trigger others. A fire caused by extreme weather off-site could reach the chemical storage area. The extreme heat could cause an explosion, structural failure and trigger other events.

PREPARE RESPONSES Once the potential risks and consequences of each climate emergency have been identified, determine the actions required to protect workers, property and the environment. Emergency response plans for extreme weather events should include written procedures on how to respond, along with the responsibilities of designated people.

Consider the following: • Can steps be taken to prevent or minimize the impact of an emergency? • What resources will be required (such as trained personnel, fire fighting and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment, first aid supplies, communication equipment or power generators)? • Where are they located? • Are potential impacts on these resources also being accounted for? • Will other emergency supplies need to be provided (e.g., food and water)?

Detailed lists of emergency response personnel including their cell phone numbers, alternate contact details and their duties and responsibilities should be readily accessible within the plan. Include large-scale maps and/or drawings showing evacuation routes, service conduits (gas, water and wastewater lines, as well as stormwater drainage), first aid supplies, emergency equipment and gathering areas or muster points. Mark out the designated shelter areas and an inventory of emergency supplies.

Outline a process for checking the local weather forecast and air quality advisory, and a communication plan for sending weather alerts to workers. Include emergency procedures for workers who may not be in the primary workplace, including those who work outside, travel, work in remote areas, work alone or are responsible for overseeing critical processes and equipment.

COMMUNICATE Include details on how plans will be initiated and communicated with workers in the event of an emergency. Note that the usual channels of communication should not be relied upon to function normally.

Plans should factor in how long it will take for internal and external emergency services to respond. In the event of climate emergencies, there could be a delay in response due to an increase in demand for these services.

The plan should also provide workers with separate written instructions about their emergency response duties. Outline procedures on how to safely monitor, shut down or continue to operate critical processes, equipment and other devices that may cause injuries or damage in the event of a power failure or malfunction.

Emergency planning is important from both a workplace and community perspective because an organization may be able to offer services to others in an emergency.

Given the broad range of potential climate emergencies, the plan and protocols are likely to be contained in a substantial document. Ensure the emergency preparedness committee is reviewing the plan and its effectiveness regularly so it can be revised when needed. zz

The preceding article was provided by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. For more information, see the website at www.ccohs.ca.