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EXPLOSION HAZARDS

Table of Contents

1. Explosion hazard

What is terrorism?

Terrorism is a term used to describe the use of force or violence against persons or property, with the aim of intimidation, coercion or ransom. Its fundamental characteristic is that it is difficult to predict the location and scale of its occurrence. There are few or no warning signs of an act of terrorism.

Specific features of a bomb attack

The detonation of an explosive is one of the most dangerous forms of terrorist attack. Its specific feature lies in the fact that it does not distinguish between “our own” and “strangers” (as opposed to actions such as kidnapping and holding a hostage or organising an attack with weapons against a particular individual).

In the case of a bomb attack, in most situations the victims are random people who have nothing to do with the terrorist’s motives. The terrorist does not usually stand out from the crowd.

2. Preventive measures

Is it possible to get prepared for a situation of possible explosion hazard?

In order to reduce the likelihood of negative effects of an attack, limit the potential damage and minimise the risk of chaos, follow a few basic rules:

  • memorise the planned evacuation routes and locations (in buildings, sub
  • ways and crowded areas)
  • do not accept packages, suitcases or gifts from strangers
  • pay attention to suspicious abandoned objects and unusual behaviour
  • do not leave your luggage unattended, as your behaviour may cause chaos
  • and trigger safety procedures
  • do not approach or touch objects with wires, gas, liquid, odour, sound,
  • powder, or that have been left by people walking away quickly
  • if you see a bomb – you are in its range. Move away to a safe distance and
  • hide, using natural and artificial barriers (avoid glass surfaces)
  • when in the vicinity of the bomb, do not use your mobile phone or take
  • photos with a flash
  • try to remember as many details as possible which may be useful to the
  • state services
  • inform the Police of the danger
  • once the alarm has been sounded and evacuation ordered, immediately
  • move to the exit (outside the danger zone)
  • inform people in the vicinity of the danger, trying not to cause panic
  • do not try to act like a hero. Leave risky operations to services with the right
  • equipment and knowledge.

3. Explosion hazard – how to act?

In the event of reporting about a suspicious consignment, the intervention of professional services is essential. If you have found an item of unknown origin and suspect that it may be an explosive or other dangerous device, you should report it to the Police, the State Fire Service, the Municipal Guards or the facility manager as soon as possible.

In case of notifying the Police:

provide information on the nature of the hazard (e.g. suspect shipment)

provide information on the location of the potential explosion hazard

provide the source of information about the hazard (own observation, telephone call)

provide as many details as possible about the possible phone call (e.g. phone number of the calling person and the receiving person, time of call)

What should you do if you are informed that a bomb has been planted?

  • Inform the services – call 112
  • Until the Police arrive, try to limit the number of people who are in the area of the potential bomb hazard. Block the passage with a chair, bench, ask people to leave the building.
  • When you are informed that a bomb has been planted in public utility locations, offices and public administration buildings (without specifying the exact location), inform those at risk and check the office work area – new furnishings and new, not used previously items should raise suspicion. Rooms that are open to the public should be checked by the institution’s safety officers.
  • Do not touch suspicious objects. Inform the building services and its manager of their location.
  • Once the Police arrive, they will take command of the operation. Explosive identification is handled by their specialised units.
  • Follow the instructions of state services.
  • Remain calm after the evacuation has been announced. Leave the affected area quickly, taking only your personal belongings (handbag or rucksack).
  • If the affected area is, for example, the car park where your car is parked, do not try to save it.

4. You have survived the explosion – what next?

If you witnessed the explosion and you are not injured

  • inform the state services of the incident – give details of the location and casualties
  • if possible, help survivors
  • move away from the scene
  • do not obstruct the access of the emergency services to the affected area
  • follow the instructions of the state services and the announcements made by the radio, television and megaphones.

In the event of a building and construction disaster hazard:

  • turn off gas, electricity and water supply
  • alert neighbours about the hazard and help them to leave the building if necessary
  • take your most important documents and money with you and leave the building
  • do not use the lift, watch out for ceilings and staircases
  • if you cannot leave the building through doors, escape through windows
  • if you cannot leave the building at all, hang a white sheet or tablecloth in the window to signal to the rescue team that you need help
  • if you have been buried or crushed, tap on metal objects to help rescuers locate your position
  • shout only as a last resort (when shouting, you inhale dangerous amounts of dust).

When you have left the building at risk of a construction disaster:

  • inform the services of the number of people remaining inside and those
  • who are definitely outside the building (for example, they are at work,
  • school)
  • do not obstruct the work of rescue workers and police officers – follow
  • their instructions
  • do not return to the scene of the disaster or enter the damaged building
  • without permission
  • if you are injured, report to a medical aid station
  • if you have any information that could help in the rescue operation – pass
  • it on to the state services

5. Emergency telephone numbers

General emergency telephone number for mobile phones

Emergency medical services

State Fire Service

Police

The “Procedure for safe behaviour and response in the event of an explosive material hazard” has been developed using the experience and standards of behaviour used, among others, in organisational units (formations) subordinate to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of the Republic of Poland.

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