Even though the law does not require it, an insurance assessor advises PAPFS that it may be beneficial to prepare an on-site emergency plan. Based on the scenario only, explain why an on-site emergency plan may be beneficial.

  

SCENARIO Pointed Arrow Production and Film Studios (PAPFS) is an organisation that produces animated films, commercials, and games for clients. The organisation builds their own models, figures, and scenery used in the films. The docklands site PAPFS operates from the docklands area of a large city. Built in 1950, this area was formerly the city's docks when it was a major shipping port. However, following economic decline, the area fell into disuse and was later sold and redeveloped for use by other businesses. The area now consists of large, converted warehouses that are arranged close together around the dock. Each warehouse has a dedicated car parking area at the rear. Another business, called 'MIST', occupies one of the nearby warehouses. MIST distribute aerosol products, such as hairsprays, to the beauty retail industry. They store more than 250 tonnes of solvent-based aerosols (with a flash point of 8C). Emergency services can take at least 30 minutes to reach the docklands area. Mobile phone signals can be unreliable in this area and people often get lost due to the confusing layout. The PAPFS warehouse The warehouse occupied by PAPFS is on two levels - a ground floor and an upper floor. The ground floor covers approximately 1300m and has a reception area, various workshops (woodworking, metalworking, and painting), filming studios, a storeroom, and a caf with toilets. From the reception area, a staircase and a combined goods/passenger lift give access to the upper floor. The upper floor is open-plan with meeting rooms and a viewing theatre. Members of the public can book tours of the studios, which are conducted on a daily basis. During a normal production day there are 150 people working onsite. Some of these are self- employed contractors. Complex model sets and figures, as well as scenery and any structural supports for the film set, are made in the workshops. Wood workshop Up to five workers are in the wood workshop during peak times of production. The workshop contains a range of fixed, electrically-powered machines, including a bench-mounted circular saw, a lathe, and a bandsaw. The bandsaw is the newest piece of machinery purchased due to the old one breaking down. There are also handheld portable electrically-powered tools, all connected to a low voltage transformer. Most of the machinery is clustered in the centre of the workshop. The workbenches used for measuring and intricate tasks are along the walls. Hearing protection and eye protective equipment are stored in designated cupboards. There is only one large external window; the windowsill of which is used to store spare parts, small equipment, and consumables such as replacement blades for the woodworking equipment, all in their original packaging. There have been some recent issues with faulty lathe spindles and a rusty tailstock (an adjustable part of the lathe holding the fixed spindle). Replacement parts took much longer to arrive than expected, resulting in production delays. A handwritten note was attached to the lathe warning workers not to use the machine. The workshop uses suspended fluorescent tube lighting. The fluorescent tubes have been changed on three recent occasions, as some workers said the tubes keep flickering. Halogen floodlights have been installed on the walls for extra lighting, but these cast shadows across the equipment in some areas of the room. Some machines have lighting positioned below the work area to illuminate the workpiece. Waste such as wood dust, shavings, and off-cuts have accumulated on the floor. An old portable LEV system is available for use by machinery operators.