TOOLBOX 062-03-12

ROAD ACCIDENT (Safety)

How to react if you witness a traffic accident?

This tool-box meeting present how to act in case of a traffic accident:

- Protect
- Assess
- Alarm
- Save.

Protect

Beware in case of a traffic accident, you should never endanger yourself.

If an accident occurs, switch on your warning lights, and park your car in a way to let
emergency teams intervene:
- After the accident area,
- If it is not possible, park your car at least 200 meters before the accident with your
warning lights on,

Protect the people: tell those who cannot help you to go as far as possible from the
accident without putting themselves in danger regarding traffic road.

Signal the area to avoid more accident:

- Use safety triangle (colored in red and reflecting),
- If you don't have one use a car with warning lights on,
- If those two means are not available and if it is possible to do it in a safe manner,
signal the area with one person using a red visible sign.

Forbid smoking near the accident to avoid any start of fire.

Assess the situation

Prior anything, you have to assess the situation.

Ensure that there is no immediate risk (fire, explosion…)

If there is any injured people, assess their condition (does the casualty bleed abundantly,
is he/she conscious, does he/she breath?).

If possible, shut down all the engines and disconnect batteries to avoid sparks starting a
fire.

Wedge vehicles, if possible, in case of instability. For example use the gear or brakes.
 TOOLBOX 062-03-12
ROAD ACCIDENT (Safety)
Alarm

If possible send someone raising the alarm then you can help casualties as fast as
possible.
Remind here emergency numbers to phone in case of accident.

The person alerting emergency services should give accurate details. Then emergency
services will act quickly and efficiently:
- Accurate location of the accident;
- Number and types of vehicles involved;
- Number, condition and situation of casualties;
- Any aggravating factor identified (fire, leak of oil, hazardous goods, and suspect
odor…)

Wait that emergency service hang up to do so.

First-aid

If you have followed such training and if you feel able to do so provide assistance to the
victims.
- Let the victims in the vehicles, except in case of fire or any other risk,
- Cover victims,
- Speak to them, comfort them,
- Do not give them something to eat or to drink
- Ask people around to help you… or to go away.

In case of fire use an extinguisher to start fighting the fire from under the engine and/or
by the radiator grill as shown on the pictures.
If the fire has already started, go away from the vehicle a fast as possible, after having
secured the victims.
Do not use water.