MANY ISLANDS PIPE LINES (CANADA) LIMITED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES MANUAL Incident-Specific Response
2.5.6.4
Blizzards
• If a blizzard or heavy blowing snow is forecast, you may want to limit travel or string a lifeline between buildings if you have to move between them during a storm. • When a winter storm hits, stay indoors if at all possible. • If you must go outside, ensure others know where you are going. Report your status regularly. • Dress for the weather. Outer clothing should be tightly woven and water-repellent. Wear a hat. Jackets should have hoods. Most body heat is lost through the head. • In wide-open areas, visibility can be virtually zero during blizzards or periods of heavy blowing snow and a person can easily lose their way. • If you must travel on roads during a winter storm, do so during the daytime and let someone know your route and expected arrival time. • If your car gets stuck in a blizzard or snowstorm, remain calm and stay in your car. Allow fresh air in your car by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side – away from the wind. You can run the car engine about 10 minutes every half-hour if the exhaust system is working well. Be aware of exhaust fumes and check the exhaust pipe periodically to make sure it is not blocked with snow. Remember that you can't smell potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes. • To keep your hands and feet warm, exercise them periodically. In general, it is a good idea to keep moving to avoid falling asleep. If you do try to shovel snow, avoid overexerting yourself. Overexertion in the bitter cold can cause death as a result of sweating or a heart attack.
2.5.6.5
Hail
• If hail is forecast, assess potential hazards and take action to reduce the danger of equipment, building or vehicular damage. • Take cover when hail begins to fall. Hail comes down at great speed, especially when accompanied by high winds. People can be seriously injured by hail. • If possible, stay indoors and keep away from windows, glass doors and skylights which can shatter if hit by hailstones. Avoid using the telephone during a storm, and do not touch metal objects. • If outdoors, take shelter and avoid any low lying areas that may flood.
2.5.6.6
Heavy Rain / Freezing Rain
• When heavy rain is forecast, consider checking the site drainage to reduce the possibility of flooding. • Ice from freezing rain accumulates on trees, power lines and buildings. If you must go outside when a significant amount of ice has accumulated, pay attention to branches or wires that could break due to the weight of the ice and fall. Also look for ice build-up on roofs or overhangs. • Never touch downed power lines. A hanging power line could be charged (live) and you would run the risk of electrocution. Remember also that ice, branches or power lines can continue to break and fall for several hours after precipitation has ended. • When freezing rain is forecast, avoid driving. Even a small amount of freezing rain can make roads extremely slippery. Wait several hours after freezing rain ends so that road maintenance crews have enough time to spread sand or salt on icy roads. • Rapid onsets of freezing rain combined with the risk of blizzards increase the chances for extreme hypothermia. 2.5.6.7 Lightning Refer to COMP document – “ Working in the Vicinity of Lightning ” located in the Unified Management System SharePoint site .
Natural Disasters
January 2025
Section 2.5, Page 14
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