Garage Construction Project

Emergency Procedures

17 min read

Emergency Procedures

Quick reference for responding to emergencies during construction.

Principle: Seconds matter. Know these procedures before you need them.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Life-Threatening Emergencies

CALL 911 FOR:

  • Unconsciousness
  • Difficulty breathing / choking
  • Severe bleeding that won’t stop
  • Chest pain / heart attack symptoms
  • Severe burns (electrical, chemical, large thermal)
  • Fall from height with injury
  • Suspected broken bones (especially spine, skull, pelvis)
  • Electrocution
  • Poisoning / chemical exposure
  • Eye injury (chemical, penetration, severe impact)
  • Heat stroke / hypothermia
  • Any injury where person can’t walk or function normally

When calling 911:

  1. State clearly: “This is an emergency”
  2. Location: [Your garage address]
  3. Nature: “Construction site injury - [type]”
  4. Condition: “Person is [conscious/unconscious], [breathing/not breathing]”
  5. Stay on line - dispatcher will guide you
  6. Send someone to meet ambulance at street if site not obvious

DO NOT HANG UP until dispatcher says to.

Non-Emergency Contacts

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

  • Available 24/7
  • Expert guidance for chemical exposures, ingestion
  • Call even if not sure it’s serious

Utilities Emergency:

  • Electric: [Add local utility emergency number]
  • Gas: [Add local gas company emergency number]
  • Water: [Add local water department emergency number]
  • Call utility immediately if:
    • Gas leak (smell, hissing)
    • Downed power line
    • Broken water main

Building Department: [Add local building department number]

  • For structural concerns, unsafe conditions
  • Required reporting of certain incidents

Non-Emergency Police: [Add local non-emergency number]

  • Theft, vandalism
  • Suspicious activity
  • Traffic control (if needed for emergency vehicle access)

Medical Facilities

Nearest Emergency Room:

  • Facility: [Add nearest ER name]
  • Address: [Add address]
  • Phone: [Add phone]
  • Approximate distance: [Add distance/time]

Nearest Urgent Care:

  • Facility: [Add nearest urgent care name]
  • Address: [Add address]
  • Phone: [Add phone]
  • Hours: [Add hours]
  • Use for: Non-life-threatening injuries (cuts needing stitches, sprains, minor burns)

When to choose Urgent Care vs. ER:

  • Urgent Care: Cuts (not arterial), sprains, minor burns, minor eye irritation, splinters/foreign objects
  • Emergency Room: Any life-threatening condition (see list above)

Personal Emergency Contacts

Project Owner: [Add your phone]

General Contractor: [Add contractor name and emergency contact]

Electrician: [Add electrician emergency contact]

Plumber: [Add plumber emergency contact]

Family/Emergency Contact: [Add emergency contact name and phone]

Medical Emergency Response

First Responder Sequence

If someone is injured:

  1. SCENE SAFETY FIRST

    • Is the scene safe for you? (live wires, fire, structural collapse)
    • Don’t become second victim
    • If unsafe, call 911 and stay clear

  2. ASSESS THE VICTIM

    • Conscious? Tap shoulder and ask “Are you okay?”
    • Breathing? Look, listen, feel for breaths
    • Severe bleeding? Look for blood pooling

  3. CALL FOR HELP

    • Call 911 immediately if:
      • Unconscious
      • Not breathing or gasping
      • Severe bleeding
      • Obvious serious injury
    • Assign someone specific: “You - call 911 now”
    • Don’t assume someone else will do it

  4. PROVIDE CARE (only if trained)

    • Bleeding: Direct pressure
    • Not breathing: CPR if trained
    • Choking: Heimlich if trained
    • Shock: Keep warm, lie flat, elevate legs

  5. DO NOT MOVE VICTIM unless:

    • Immediate danger (fire, collapse, electrocution)
    • Necessary for CPR
    • Spine injury can be worsened by movement

  6. STAY WITH VICTIM

    • Reassure
    • Monitor breathing, consciousness
    • Keep warm (shock prevention)
    • Continue care until EMS arrives

Specific Injury Response

Severe Bleeding:

Goal: Stop bleeding, prevent shock, call 911.

  1. Call 911 immediately
  2. Wear gloves if available (bloodborne pathogen protection)
  3. Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
  4. Don’t remove cloth if soaked - add more on top
  5. Elevate wound above heart if possible
  6. Apply pressure to artery if direct pressure fails:
    • Arm: Inside of upper arm
    • Leg: Groin area
  7. If bleeding stops, maintain pressure, bandage firmly
  8. Treat for shock (lie down, elevate legs, keep warm)

DO NOT:

  • Use tourniquet unless trained (can cause limb loss)
  • Remove embedded objects (nail, rebar, etc.) - stabilize and wait for EMS
  • Give anything to drink

For amputated part:

  • Wrap in clean, moist cloth
  • Place in sealed plastic bag
  • Place bag on ice (not direct contact)
  • Send with victim to hospital

Electrocution:

DANGER: Victim may still be energized. Touching = you get shocked too.

  1. DO NOT TOUCH VICTIM if still in contact with electrical source
  2. Turn off power at breaker if safe to do so
  3. If can’t turn off power, use non-conductive object (dry wood board) to separate victim from source
  4. Once separated, check for breathing/pulse
  5. Call 911 immediately
  6. If not breathing and you’re trained: CPR
  7. Electrical shock can cause internal injuries not visible - EMS evaluation MANDATORY even if victim seems okay

Electrical burns:

  • Often worse than they appear (internal damage)
  • Cool with water, cover with sterile dressing
  • All electrical burns require medical evaluation

Burns:

Severity assessment:

TypeDescriptionTreatment
First-degreeRed skin, painful, no blisters (like sunburn)Cool water 10-20 min, over-the-counter pain relief
Second-degreeBlisters, very painful, red/white skinCool water, sterile dressing, medical care if large
Third-degreeWhite or charred skin, may not hurt (nerves destroyed)Call 911, cover with sterile dressing, treat for shock

Immediate care:

  1. Remove from heat source
  2. Remove jewelry/tight clothing near burn (swelling occurs)
  3. Cool with running water 10-20 minutes (not ice)
  4. Cover with sterile, non-stick dressing
  5. DO NOT apply ointments, butter, ice
  6. DO NOT pop blisters

Chemical burns:

  1. Flush with water immediately (15-20 minutes minimum)
  2. Remove contaminated clothing while flushing
  3. Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
  4. Continue flushing while waiting for guidance
  5. Seek medical care - chemical burns worsen over time

Electrical burns:

  • See electrocution section above
  • Always require medical evaluation

When to call 911:

  • Third-degree burn (any size)
  • Second-degree burn larger than 3 inches
  • Burns on face, hands, feet, groin, or over joints
  • Chemical or electrical burns
  • Victim is child, elderly, or has medical conditions

Falls:

Assume spine injury until proven otherwise.

  1. DO NOT MOVE VICTIM unless immediate danger
  2. Call 911
  3. Stabilize head and neck (manually support, don’t twist)
  4. Check breathing, pulse
  5. Keep victim still and calm
  6. Treat other injuries without moving victim if possible

Warning signs of spine injury:

  • Fall from height (over 3 feet)
  • Neck or back pain
  • Numbness/tingling in extremities
  • Inability to move limbs
  • Deformity of spine
  • Loss of bladder/bowel control

Even if victim wants to get up: Insist on EMS evaluation if any concern for spine injury. Paralysis can result from moving someone with spine injury.

Head Injuries:

Concussion is common from falls, falling objects.

Call 911 if:

  • Loss of consciousness (any duration)
  • Confusion, slurred speech
  • Vomiting
  • Severe headache
  • Unequal pupils
  • Clear fluid from ears/nose (skull fracture)
  • Seizure

Even if 911 not called:

  • Monitor for 24 hours
  • Wake every 2 hours during sleep to check responsiveness
  • Seek immediate care if condition worsens

DO NOT:

  • Give pain medication without medical advice (can mask symptoms)
  • Allow to sleep unsupervised for 24 hours
  • Allow to drive
  • Allow to return to work same day

Broken Bones:

Suspect fracture if:

  • Heard/felt bone snap
  • Visible deformity
  • Severe pain, swelling
  • Can’t use limb
  • Bone protruding through skin (compound fracture - call 911)

Treatment:

  1. Call 911 for severe fractures (compound, spine, skull, pelvis, femur)
  2. Don’t move injured area
  3. Immobilize with splint if trained:
    • Splint in position found
    • Pad splint
    • Immobilize joint above and below fracture
  4. Ice pack (not directly on skin)
  5. Elevate if possible
  6. Treat for shock

DO NOT:

  • Try to realign bone
  • Push protruding bone back in
  • Move victim if spine/pelvis/femur suspected

Eye Injuries:

Chemical splash:

  1. Flush immediately with water (15-20 minutes)
  2. Hold eyelid open, flush from inner to outer corner
  3. Call Poison Control
  4. Continue flushing until help arrives
  5. Seek immediate medical care

Penetrating injury:

  1. DO NOT remove object
  2. Stabilize object (tape cup over eye around object)
  3. Cover other eye (prevents movement)
  4. Call 911
  5. Keep victim calm and still

Impact injury:

  1. Ice pack (not directly on eye)
  2. No pressure
  3. Seek medical care if:
    • Vision affected
    • Pain severe
    • Blood in eye
    • Doesn’t improve in 15 minutes

Choking:

Signs:

  • Can’t speak or cough
  • Hands to throat (universal choking sign)
  • Face turning blue

If victim can cough/speak: Encourage coughing, don’t interfere.

If victim can’t breathe (complete obstruction):

  1. Ask: “Are you choking?”
  2. If yes or nods:
  3. Stand behind victim
  4. Make fist, place thumb-side against abdomen (above navel, below ribs)
  5. Grasp fist with other hand
  6. Quick upward thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
  7. Repeat until object expelled or victim unconscious
  8. If victim becomes unconscious:
    • Lower to ground
    • Call 911
    • Begin CPR (chest compressions can expel object)

Heat Stroke:

Life-threatening emergency - call 911.

Symptoms:

  • Temperature over 103°F
  • Hot, dry skin (not sweating) OR profuse sweating
  • Confusion, slurred speech, seizures
  • Rapid, strong pulse
  • Loss of consciousness

Treatment:

  1. Call 911 immediately
  2. Move to shade/cool area
  3. Remove excess clothing
  4. Cool with water (spray, wet towels, ice packs at neck/armpits/groin)
  5. Fan aggressively
  6. If conscious and can swallow: sips of cool water

DO NOT:

  • Give salt tablets
  • Give alcohol
  • Allow to shiver (if body cools too fast, warm slightly)

Prevention:

  • Hydrate constantly in heat
  • Work early, break during hottest hours
  • Recognize early symptoms (see General Safety doc)

Hypothermia:

Life-threatening if body temp drops below 95°F.

Symptoms:

  • Shivering (stops as hypothermia worsens)
  • Confusion, slurred speech
  • Drowsiness
  • Weak pulse, shallow breathing
  • Loss of consciousness

Treatment:

  1. Call 911 if severe
  2. Move to warm area
  3. Remove wet clothing
  4. Wrap in blankets
  5. Warm center of body first (chest, neck, head) - NOT extremities
  6. Warm beverages if conscious (no alcohol)

DO NOT:

  • Apply direct heat (heating pad, fire) - can cause shock
  • Rub/massage (can cause heart failure)
  • Give alcohol

Non-Medical Emergencies

Fire

See 03 - Fire Prevention Plan for detailed fire response.

Summary:

  1. Alert others
  2. Small fire: Use extinguisher (PASS method)
  3. Large fire or extinguisher fails: Evacuate immediately
  4. Call 911 from safe location
  5. Never re-enter burning structure
  6. Meet at designated assembly point

Gas Leak

Natural gas or propane leak:

Signs:

  • Rotten egg smell (added to natural gas)
  • Hissing sound
  • Dead vegetation (underground leak)
  • White cloud/fog (large leak)

Response:

  1. DO NOT:
    • Use phone, flashlight, or any electrical device near leak (spark risk)
    • Turn lights on or off
    • Start vehicle
    • Smoke
  2. DO:
    • Evacuate immediately
    • Leave doors/windows open as you leave (ventilation)
    • Call 911 and gas company from safe distance (not near leak)
    • Shut off gas at meter if safe to do so

Gas shutoff:

  • Requires wrench (keep one near meter)
  • Turn valve 1/4 turn (perpendicular to pipe = off)
  • Once off, DO NOT turn back on (gas company must do it)

Electrical Emergency

Downed power line:

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - can electrocute from 35 feet away through ground.

  1. Assume all lines are live
  2. Stay at least 35 feet away
  3. Call 911 and electric utility immediately
  4. Don’t touch anything in contact with line (vehicle, fence, person)
  5. If victim in contact with line:
    • DO NOT TOUCH VICTIM
    • Call 911
    • Wait for utility to de-energize
  6. If you’re in vehicle touching line:
    • Stay in vehicle (safest)
    • If must exit (fire): Jump clear without touching vehicle and ground simultaneously
    • Shuffle away (keep feet together, no big steps)

Arc flash:

Electrical arc from panel/equipment:

Causes severe burns, blindness, fire.

  1. Turn off power at main if safe
  2. Call 911
  3. Treat burn victims (see burn section)
  4. Don’t re-energize until electrician inspects

Structural Collapse

Partial collapse of framing, roof, etc.:

  1. Evacuate immediately
  2. Call 911
  3. Account for all workers
  4. If someone trapped:
    • DO NOT enter unstable structure
    • Wait for fire department rescue
  5. Secure perimeter (prevent others from entering)
  6. DO NOT attempt repairs until engineer inspects

Warning signs before collapse:

  • Cracking sounds
  • Sagging beams/roof
  • Shifted supports
  • Visible cracks in structural members

If you hear/see these: Evacuate immediately.

Severe Weather

Tornado warning, severe thunderstorm:

  1. Seek shelter:
    • Enclosed structure (not framed but open building)
    • Interior room, away from windows
    • Low ground if no structure
  2. Avoid:
    • Open framed structure (provides no protection)
    • Vehicles (can be thrown)
    • Under trees (falling branches)
  3. Stay sheltered until warning expires

Lightning:

  1. Get indoors or in vehicle (hard-top)
  2. If caught outside:
    • Crouch low, feet together
    • Don’t lie flat
    • Avoid tall objects, metal objects, open areas
  3. If someone struck by lightning:
    • Safe to touch (electricity doesn’t stay in body)
    • Call 911
    • CPR if not breathing

Flash flood:

  1. Move to high ground immediately
  2. Don’t drive through water (6 inches can sweep vehicle)
  3. Abandon equipment/materials if necessary

Hazardous Material Spill

Fuel, chemicals, unknown substance:

  1. Evacuate area immediately
  2. Determine what spilled (check container label)
  3. Call 911 if:
    • Large spill (>5 gallons)
    • Unknown substance
    • Anyone exposed
    • Flammable material near ignition source
  4. Small, known spill:
    • Ventilate area
    • Wear appropriate PPE
    • Contain with absorbent
    • Dispose per hazardous waste rules
  5. For chemical exposure:
    • Flush with water immediately
    • Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
    • Seek medical care

Have Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available for all chemicals on site.

First Aid Kit & Equipment

Required First Aid Supplies

Minimum kit for construction site:

Wound care:

  • Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes) - 50 count
  • Gauze pads 4x4 - 25 count
  • Gauze pads 2x2 - 25 count
  • Rolled gauze - 3 rolls
  • Adhesive tape - 2 rolls
  • Antibiotic ointment - 10 packets
  • Burn cream - 6 packets

Tools:

  • Scissors (trauma shears)
  • Tweezers (for splinters)
  • Safety pins

Protection:

  • Disposable gloves (nitrile, latex-free) - 10 pairs
  • CPR face shield or pocket mask
  • Eye wash (2 bottles)

Treatment:

  • Instant cold packs - 4
  • Triangular bandage (for sling) - 2
  • SAM splint or improvise material

Medications (basic):

  • Pain reliever (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) - individual packets
  • Antihistamine (for allergic reactions) - individual packets
  • Aspirin (for heart attack) - individual packets

Documentation:

  • First aid manual
  • Emergency contact list
  • Incident report forms

Special additions for construction:

  • Eye wash station (if chemicals on site)
  • Larger gauze pads (for bigger wounds)
  • Extra cold packs (common injury)

Storage:

  • Waterproof container
  • Clearly labeled “FIRST AID”
  • Accessible location (everyone knows where)
  • Check monthly, restock used items
  • Replace expired items

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

Recommended for construction sites, not required for small projects.

Use for: Cardiac arrest (heart stopped, not breathing, unconscious)

How to use:

  1. Call 911 first
  2. Turn on AED
  3. Follow voice prompts exactly
  4. Attach pads to bare chest (diagram on pads)
  5. Stand clear when analyzing/shocking
  6. Continue CPR between shocks
  7. Keep AED on until EMS arrives

AED will NOT shock if not needed - safe to use.

Cost: $1,200-2,000 Value: Priceless if cardiac arrest occurs (survival depends on defibrillation within minutes)

Incident Reporting & Documentation

When to Document

Document ALL of the following:

  • Injuries (even minor - splinter, small cut)
  • Near-misses (close call, could have caused injury)
  • Property damage
  • Safety violations observed
  • Hazardous conditions

Purpose:

  • Pattern recognition (prevents future incidents)
  • Insurance claims (if needed)
  • Legal protection
  • Improvement of safety procedures

Incident Report Contents

For each incident, record:

  1. Date and time - Exact time incident occurred
  2. Location - Specific area (e.g., “Southwest corner, 6 feet from foundation”)
  3. Person(s) involved - Names, roles
  4. Witnesses - Names and contact info
  5. Description - What happened, step-by-step
  6. Injury/damage - Specific description
  7. Contributing factors - What caused it (fatigue, tool failure, procedure not followed, etc.)
  8. Immediate actions - First aid, 911 call, etc.
  9. Photos - If applicable
  10. Follow-up needed - Medical care, repairs, procedure changes

Signature and date by person completing report.

Root Cause Analysis

After any incident, ask:

  1. What happened? (the event)
  2. Why did it happen? (immediate cause)
  3. Why did that cause exist? (underlying cause)
  4. What could prevent it in future? (corrective action)
  5. Implement corrective action
  6. Verify effectiveness

Example:

  1. Worker cut hand on saw
  2. Guard was removed
  3. Guard was sticking, worker removed it
  4. Saw maintenance not performed, guard not lubricated
  5. Corrective action: Implement weekly saw maintenance checklist
  6. Verify: No more stuck guards reported

Learning from incidents prevents recurrence.

Training & Preparedness

For anyone working on construction site:

Basic first aid and CPR:

  • Offered by Red Cross, American Heart Association
  • 4-8 hour course
  • Certification lasts 2 years
  • Cost: $50-100
  • Value: IMMEASURABLE

Bloodborne pathogen training:

  • How to protect yourself when helping bleeding victim
  • Online courses available
  • 1 hour
  • Cost: $20-50

Fire extinguisher training:

  • Many fire departments offer free training
  • Hands-on practice
  • 1-2 hours
  • Highly recommended

Emergency Drills

Practice emergency procedures:

Fire evacuation drill:

  • Walk through evacuation route
  • Time how long it takes
  • Verify everyone knows assembly point
  • Practice using fire extinguisher (with trainer)

Frequency: Before construction starts, then quarterly during active construction.

Medical emergency drill:

  • Practice calling 911 (don’t actually dial, go through motions)
  • Practice locating first aid kit quickly
  • Practice basic first aid (with dummy or role-play)

Frequency: Before construction starts.

Purpose of drills: Emergencies cause panic. Practice makes response automatic.

Special Considerations

Working Alone

Increased risk - if injured, no one to help.

Safety measures:

  • Cell phone on person (not in vehicle)
  • Check-in schedule (someone expects call at set times)
  • Avoid most dangerous tasks when alone (roof work, heavy lifting, electrical)
  • Lower risk threshold (if not sure it’s safe, wait for help)

Consider: Personal emergency beacon (SPOT, Garmin InReach) for remote sites.

Medical Conditions

If you or workers have medical conditions:

Inform others:

  • Diabetes, heart condition, allergies, seizures
  • Where medication is kept (EpiPen, insulin, nitroglycerin)
  • What to do in emergency

Medical alert jewelry: Highly recommended (bracelet, necklace with condition and emergency contact).

Medication on-site:

  • Keep in accessible location
  • Protected from heat/cold
  • Check expiration dates

Language Barriers

If workers speak different languages:

Emergency response is harder.

Mitigation:

  • Translation app on phone
  • Emergency contact cards in multiple languages
  • Visual safety signage
  • Pre-plan emergency communication (pointing, gestures)

Post-Emergency Procedures

After 911 Response

Once emergency has been handled:

  1. Document thoroughly (incident report)
  2. Contact insurance (if applicable)
  3. Review cause (root cause analysis)
  4. Implement corrective actions (prevent recurrence)
  5. Debrief with all workers (lessons learned)
  6. Restock first aid kit (replace used supplies)
  7. Follow up on injured person (welfare check, return-to-work plan)

Returning to Work After Incident

Don’t rush:

Verify:

  • Scene is safe (no ongoing hazard)
  • All injured persons being cared for
  • Root cause identified and corrected
  • Workers understand what happened and how to prevent
  • Emotional readiness (serious incidents are traumatic)

If structural damage: Engineer inspection before resuming work.

If electrical incident: Electrician inspection before re-energizing.

If anyone shaken: Offer break, postpone work if needed. Safety first, schedule second.

Emergency Equipment Locations

Post this information visibly on site:

First Aid Kit: [Specify location]

Fire Extinguishers:

  • Primary: [Location]
  • Secondary: [Location]

Emergency Shutoffs:

  • Electrical panel: [Location]
  • Gas meter: [Location]
  • Water main: [Location]

Eyewash Station: [Location if applicable]

Emergency Assembly Point: [Specify location]

Nearest Phone: [If no cell service, specify landline location]

Emergency Contact List: [Posted at first aid kit location]

Summary - Emergency Preparedness

Four keys to emergency preparedness:

  1. PREVENTION

    • Most emergencies are preventable
    • Follow safety procedures in other documents
    • “An ounce of prevention…”

  2. PREPARATION

    • First aid kit stocked
    • Contact numbers posted
    • Training completed
    • Drills practiced

  3. RESPONSE

    • Stay calm
    • Follow procedures
    • Call 911 when needed
    • Provide care within your training

  4. LEARNING

    • Document all incidents
    • Root cause analysis
    • Implement corrective actions
    • Share lessons learned

Remember:

  • Life over property - Never risk injury to save materials or time
  • Call 911 without hesitation - Better false alarm than tragedy
  • Training saves lives - First aid/CPR training is invaluable
  • Practice makes automatic - Emergency drills reduce panic

You’re prepared. Stay safe.

Print and Post

The following should be printed and posted visibly at the construction site:

Emergency Contact List

EMERGENCY: 911

POISON CONTROL: 1-800-222-1222

PROJECT CONTACTS:
- Owner: [Your phone]
- Contractor: [Contractor phone]
- Electrician: [Electrician phone]
- Plumber: [Plumber phone]

UTILITIES:
- Electric: [Utility emergency phone]
- Gas: [Gas company emergency phone]
- Water: [Water dept phone]

MEDICAL:
- Nearest ER: [Hospital name, address, phone]
- Urgent Care: [Clinic name, address, phone]

EQUIPMENT LOCATIONS:
- First Aid Kit: [Location]
- Fire Extinguisher: [Locations]
- Electrical Panel: [Location]
- Gas Shutoff: [Location]
- Water Shutoff: [Location]

ASSEMBLY POINT: [Location]

Update this as project progresses and contact information changes.

This completes the Construction Safety Plan documentation.

Before starting framing phase, review:

  1. 00 - Safety Plan Overview - Overall plan and priorities
  2. 01 - General Safety Requirements - PPE and universal protocols
  3. 02 - Phase-Specific Safety - Framing section specifically
  4. 03 - Fire Prevention Plan - Fire equipment and procedures
  5. This document (05 - Emergency Procedures) - Emergency response

Stay safe. Your health is more valuable than any construction schedule.

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