Workplace Emergency Plan for Floods and Water Ingress

What is a workplace flood emergency plan based on?

The Regulation on Emergencies in Workplaces defines an emergency as an event that may occur in all or part of the workplace, or affect the workplace from outside, and that requires emergency response, fire-fighting, first aid or evacuation, and it explicitly includes natural disasters in this definition (Art. 4). When identifying emergencies, the likelihood of natural disasters is taken into account (Art. 8). When determining response and evacuation methods, adverse effects that may come from nearby workplaces and the surrounding area are also taken into account (Art. 10/7).

The regulation does not list "flood" separately; but for a workplace located near a stream bed, built on flat plain land or with a basement floor, water ingress is one of the most realistic emergencies. In Bursa and the surrounding provinces, some warehouses and production areas are located along streams and canals or on low-lying land; in heavy rain, the problem often comes not from the stream but from inadequate stormwater drainage and water flowing down ramps into basements. This article looks at how to build a flood emergency plan at workplace level, with particular focus on basements and storage areas. For the general structure of the plan, see our article on how to prepare an emergency plan.

Workplace flood risk assessment: which areas are at risk?

The first step is to see where water will come from and where it will collect in your workplace. Walk around the site on a rainy day; note the direction the water flows, whether manholes overflow and whether water collects under ramps.

Area	Why is it risky?	Preventive measure
Basement store	Water collects at the lowest point; the only exit may be a single staircase	Bottom rack level kept empty or reserved for water-resistant materials; water sensor and pump
Loading dock pit	Rainwater collects directly in front of the dock	Grated channel, regular cleaning, pump if necessary
Electrical panel and transformer room	May be flooded if in the basement or at ground level	Raising the panel location, isolation point above water level
Chemical store	Water can float and topple containers and spread chemicals	Storing chemicals in a raised, leak-tight area
Lift pit and sump pit	Water collects; entering is confined space work	Cover, warning sign, entry only under a permit
Server and archive room	Commonly located in the basement	Moving critical equipment to an upper floor

Annex 1 of the Regulation on Health and Safety Measures in Workplace Buildings and Annexes requires waste water and standing water to be connected to the sewer system and, if the sewer level is insufficient, overflow to be prevented by forced drainage. A basement pump is therefore not an "extra measure" but part of the installation, and its maintenance should be tracked.

Basement store flooding: prevention and preparation

Basement store flooding often starts with a few hours of rain and goes unnoticed at night. Preparation is less about preventing the water from coming and more about reducing the damage and risk when it does:

Rack layout: Do not keep water-sensitive products, cardboard packaging or chemicals on the bottom levels. If this conflicts with the rule of putting heavy loads on the bottom level, make a separate layout plan for the basement.
Pump and non-return valve: Regularly test that the submersible pump works; have the non-return valve that prevents backflow from the sewer checked.
Water sensor and alarm: A simple sensor that notifies the security guard or responsible person of the water level in the basement gives early warning of flooding that starts at night.
Barrier materials: Sandbags or portable water barriers are kept ready for ramps and doorways; where they are kept is written in the plan.
Isolation points: Electricity and gas isolation points and valves are shown on the evacuation plan (Art. 12/1-f-7). Being able to switch off the basement circuit from an upper floor is a great advantage.

As the water rises: power isolation first, then evacuation

The regulation requires energy sources and systems that may create a hazard to be shut down safely in emergencies, in a way that does not create adverse situations or affect the operation of protective systems (Art. 5/1-f). In a flood, the practical meaning of this is simple: the power is cut before anyone enters the water.

The sequence to follow as the water rises is:

Whoever notices raises the alarm: The support staff member and manager are notified by alarm or telephone.
The basement is cleared: Workers in the basement go up by the stairs; the lift is not used.
Power is cut from a dry point: The circuit feeding the basement is switched off at a panel above water level. If the isolation point is in the water, nobody approaches the panel; power is cut at the main intake or the electricity distribution company is called.
Gas is shut off: If there is a natural gas or LPG installation, the main valve is closed.
Vehicles and forklifts are moved to high ground: Battery-powered equipment must not be left under water.
A headcount is carried out: After evacuation, a check and headcount confirm that nobody remains inside (Art. 10/2).
Salvaging materials comes second: Nobody goes down to the basement to take out products while the water is rising.

Electrical safety after a flood and re-energising

When the water recedes, the most dangerous moment is when the breaker is switched back on with the thought that "everything has dried out". Flooded panels, sockets, cables and motors retain moisture and mud inside; the insulation may be damaged. For electrical safety after a flood:

A flooded installation is not energised until an authorised electrician or electrical engineer has checked it. Insulation resistance is measured and the tripping of residual current devices is tested.
Wet electric hand tools, extension leads and chargers are not used without being checked; they often need to be replaced.
Annex III of the Work Equipment Regulation requires periodic inspection of the internal electrical installation and earthing at least once a year; environmental conditions and accident history are reasons to increase inspection frequency. After a flood, have an inspection carried out without waiting for the annual schedule.
We explain the steps for isolating the supply and verifying it in our article on the 5 safety rules in electrical work, and the function of the residual current device in our article on earthing and residual current devices.

Petrol-driven pumps and generators hired to pump out water are not operated in enclosed areas such as basements; the carbon monoxide in the exhaust is odourless and colourless. For details, see our article on heaters and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Worker safety during clean-up after a flood

Floodwater is often mixed with sewage, fuel and chemicals. The following rules apply to the team carrying out the clean-up:

Personal protective equipment: Waterproof boots, water- and chemical-resistant gloves and, where necessary, eye protection. A worker with an open wound is not assigned to work involving contact with mud.
Hygiene: Hand-washing facilities are provided before eating and drinking; no food is eaten in the clean-up area. Workers' vaccination status and health complaints are assessed with the workplace physician.
Slips and falls: Muddy floors and dislodged gratings and manhole covers are marked.
Racking: Racks that have been flooded or struck are checked before loads are placed on them; see industrial racking safety.
Heavier loads: Wet cardboard, sacks and fabric become far heavier than their original weight; a pallet truck or team lifting is planned instead of manual handling.
Chemicals: Toppled or floating chemical containers are identified first; see chemical spill response. During clean-up, different cleaning and disinfection products are not mixed; for example, bleach releases toxic gas when mixed with acidic products.
Sump pits and manholes: Pits and wells that need to be entered are confined spaces; they are not entered without a permit and gas testing, see working in confined spaces.

After the event: updating the plan and the risk assessment

A flood that has actually happened is the moment the plan is tested. The emergency plan is renewed without waiting for its period to expire when there are changes in or around the workplace that affect identified emergencies or create new ones (Art. 14). The risk assessment is also updated after a new hazard arising from outside the workplace or an incident. In the first week after the event, answer these questions: When was the warning received? Who cut the power, and from where? Which products and equipment were damaged, and why were they on the bottom level? Did the pump work?

Incorporate the answers into the plan and test the flood scenario in the next drill. You can track drill and plan renewal dates with the OHS calendar, and we can build the flood scenario for your warehouse and basement areas together on site as part of our emergency plan service. Other risks specific to warehousing businesses are covered on our logistics and warehousing page; for another example of a natural disaster scenario, see our article on the earthquake emergency plan in the workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does flood risk have to be included separately in the emergency plan?

The regulation requires the likelihood of natural disasters to be taken into account when identifying emergencies. If flooding is a realistic possibility because of your workplace's location, basement or drainage, it should be included in the plan as a separate scenario.

Who should cut the power in a flood?

The support staff member named in the plan, or their deputy, isolates the supply from a point above water level. If the isolation point is in the water, nobody approaches the panel; power is cut at the main intake or the electricity distribution company is called.

When can we restore power after the water has receded?

A flooded installation is not re-energised until it has been checked by an authorised electrician or electrical engineer. Insulation measurement and residual current device testing are carried out, and wet tools are checked separately.

Can our own workers carry out the clean-up after a flood?

Yes; however, the clean-up is included in the risk assessment, suitable PPE is provided, the power is off and checked, and chemical and confined space risks are managed separately. Workers' health status is assessed with the workplace physician.