Prevent Accidents and Emergencies
Complete exam-oriented revision notes for CBSE Class 10 Information Technology (402), prepared by matching the uploaded NCERT Domestic Data Entry Operator — Class X (2023–24) textbook.
✍️ Read • Revise • RecallSource check: Chapter 15 starts on printed page 247 of the uploaded textbook. The chapter covers accidents and emergencies, handling accidents, evacuation, fire safety, first aid and electrical rescue techniques.
Chapter Focus
In an organisation, a small accident or unforeseen situation may turn into an emergency if it does not receive proper attention. Emergencies may be natural or man-made and can disrupt operations or cause physical and environmental damage.
Natural Emergencies
- Floods
- Hurricanes
- Earthquakes
Man-made Emergencies
- Fire
- Toxic gas releases
- Chemical spills
- Illness
- Explosions
- Civil disturbances
📌 Emergency Action Plan
The textbook recommends developing a well-thought-out emergency action plan to guide employees during an emergency.
| Accident | Emergency |
|---|---|
| An accident is an unplanned, uncontrolled or unforeseen event resulting in injury or harm to people and damage to goods. | An emergency is a serious or crisis situation that needs immediate attention and action. |
| Example: A person falling down and getting injured. | Example: A customer having a heart attack or sudden outbreak of fire. |
Accident → unplanned/uncontrolled/unforeseen event causing
injury, harm or damage.
Emergency → serious or crisis situation requiring
immediate attention and action.
1. Notice and Correctly Identify
Employees should know what constitutes an accident and what constitutes an emergency. The organisation's policies and guidelines are the best guide for identifying and handling such situations.
2. Get Help Promptly
Follow the procedure for handling the particular accident or emergency and provide the required help and support according to organisational policies. Do not act outside the guidelines of your role.
3. Prevent Further Injury
If someone is injured, do not act according to impulse or gut feeling. Stay calm and follow the prescribed organisational procedure while waiting for help.
4. Act Within Responsibility and Authority
Provide help and support only within your authorised limits. Medical help should be provided by a person who is certified to provide the necessary aid.
5. Follow Instructions
Follow instructions given by senior staff and emergency services. When handling accidents or emergencies, work under the supervision of trained personnel.
Identify → Get Help → Prevent Further Injury → Act Within Authority → Follow Instructions
1. Trip and Fall
A person may trip on carelessly left loose material such as loose wires, goods left in aisles or an elevated threshold. Such accidents may result in bruises or serious fractures.
2. Slip and Fall
Slippery surfaces or substances on the floor can cause a person to lose balance and fall.
3. Injuries Caused by Escalators or Elevators
Accidents may occur while using escalators, elevators or lifts. Proper care and organisational procedures should be followed.
4. Accidents Due to Falling Goods
Goods or materials that are not properly stored may fall and cause injury to people or damage to property.
5. Accidents Due to Moving Objects
Moving objects or equipment can cause accidents when people come into their path or when safe operating procedures are not followed.
The textbook specifically identifies five common accident types:
- Trip and Fall
- Slip and Fall
- Injuries caused due to Escalators or Elevators (lifts)
- Accidents due to Falling of Goods
- Accidents due to Moving Objects
Attend to the Injured Person Immediately
The injured person should receive immediate attention according to the organisation's prescribed procedure and within the helper's authorised limits.
Inform Your Supervisor
The supervisor should be informed promptly about the accident.
Assist Your Supervisor
Provide necessary assistance to the supervisor while following the organisation's procedures and your authorised responsibilities.
⚠️ Important
Do not provide medical assistance beyond your qualification or authorisation. Properly trained and certified professionals should handle situations requiring specialised decisions.
Three Major Areas
| Emergency Area | Main Focus |
|---|---|
| First Aid | Immediate care according to training and authorised procedures. |
| Electrical Safety | Safe response to electrical emergencies and electrical hazards. |
| Evacuation | Moving people safely out of a dangerous workplace area. |
What is Evacuation?
Evacuation means moving people away from a dangerous situation or workplace area to a safe location.
Emergency Evacuation Planning
An organisation should have an emergency action plan that guides employees during emergencies. Employees should be aware of the evacuation procedures applicable to their workplace.
Evacuation Routes and Exits
- Know the available emergency exits.
- Be aware of evacuation routes.
- Follow the organisation's evacuation instructions.
- Do not obstruct emergency exits or routes.
- Follow instructions of trained staff and emergency services.
🚪 Remember
During an emergency, follow the established evacuation procedure instead of acting according to personal impulse.
Fire Hazard
Fire can become a major workplace emergency and can cause injury, property damage and disruption of operations.
Fire Prevention
Fire prevention requires identification and control of potential fire hazards. Employees should know the organisation's fire safety procedures and emergency arrangements.
Material and Ignition Sources
Fire requires combustible material and a source capable of igniting it. The textbook therefore emphasises identifying material and ignition sources when preventing workplace fires.
Workplace fires are commonly associated with improper storage of combustible material and combustible dust.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is a protection device containing an extinguishing agent that can be discharged to extinguish a fire.
- Identify fire hazards.
- Identify combustible materials.
- Identify ignition sources.
- Follow workplace fire procedures.
- Use fire protection equipment only as trained.
First Aid
First aid refers to immediate care provided to an injured or ill person before professional medical assistance is available, within the limits of the person's training and authority.
Important Principle
If you are not certified or trained to provide a particular medical aid, do not attempt procedures beyond your authorisation. Wait for the appropriate professionals and provide assistance as instructed.
⚠️ Safety Rule
Stay calm → follow organisational procedure → get appropriate help → do not exceed your authority.
Electrical Emergency
Electrical emergencies require careful action because contact with electricity can cause serious injury. The organisation's electrical safety procedures must be followed.
Basic Safety Principles
- Follow the organisation's electrical safety procedure.
- Do not take unauthorised action.
- Switch off electrical circuits when instructed and when it is safe and authorised to do so.
- Keep away from electrical hazards.
- Seek help from trained personnel.
First Aid for Electrical Emergencies
The textbook includes first aid for electrical emergencies as an important part of this chapter. If a person is affected by an electrical emergency, the appropriate electrical rescue procedure and first-aid procedure should be followed.
The chapter's Check Your Progress specifically asks: “What is the first aid for electrical emergencies?” and “List out electrical rescue techniques.”
Why Electrical Rescue Requires Care
An electrical emergency must be handled carefully to prevent additional injury. The first priority is to follow the prescribed organisational procedure and obtain appropriate assistance.
⚠️ Exam Safety Concept
A person should not take actions beyond their training, certification or authority during an electrical emergency. Trained professionals should handle specialised rescue and medical procedures.
Remember the Chapter Focus
- Electrical Safety
- First Aid for Electrical Emergencies
- Electrical Rescue Techniques
Why is an Emergency Action Plan Needed?
An emergency action plan provides employees with a planned course of action during an emergency. It helps an organisation respond systematically instead of depending on confusion or personal impulse.
Key Areas to Remember
- Identify possible emergencies.
- Know organisational policies and procedures.
- Know how to report accidents and emergencies.
- Know emergency exits and evacuation routes.
- Know whom to contact for help.
- Follow instructions of trained personnel and emergency services.
- Act only within your responsibility and authority.
Emergency Action Plan = Planned procedure to guide employees during an emergency.
- What is a workplace emergency?
- How do you protect yourself, your employees and your business?
- What is an emergency action plan?
- What should your emergency action plan include?
- How do you develop an evacuation policy and procedures?
- How do you establish evacuation routes and exits?
- What are the various types of fire extinguisher and their extinguishing material?
- What are the steps for operating a fire extinguisher in case of a fire emergency?
- Compare the different types of fire extinguisher.
- List the different classes of fire.
- List out electrical rescue techniques.
- What is the first aid for electrical emergencies?
These questions are taken from the chapter's own Check Your Progress section in the uploaded textbook, so they are especially useful for revision.
⚡ CHAPTER 15 — RAPID REVISION
- Accident: Unplanned, uncontrolled or unforeseen event causing injury, harm or damage to goods.
- Emergency: Serious or crisis situation requiring immediate attention and action.
- Emergency types: Natural and man-made emergencies.
- Natural examples: Floods, hurricanes and earthquakes.
- Man-made examples: Fire, toxic gas releases, chemical spills, illness, explosions and civil disturbances.
- Five accident types: Trip and Fall, Slip and Fall, Escalator/Elevator injuries, Falling Goods and Moving Objects.
- Handling accidents: Attend to injured person → Inform supervisor → Assist supervisor.
- Three major emergency areas: First Aid, Electrical Safety and Evacuation.
- Evacuation: Follow the organisation's established evacuation procedures, routes and exits.
- Fire prevention: Identify combustible materials and ignition sources and follow fire safety procedures.
- Fire extinguisher: A protection device containing an agent that can be discharged to extinguish a fire.
- Electrical emergencies: Follow electrical safety procedures and seek trained help.
- Golden rule: Never act beyond your training, certification or authorised responsibility.