How would you respond in an emergency?
Does your workplace have an emergency plan and is it practiced?
Planning
When planning for possible emergency situations you should ensure:
- Emergency procedures are developed;
- Evacuation procedures are developed;
- All workers are trained to implement or follow the emergency plan and are clear on how they should respond during an emergency situation;
- Emergency and evacuation procedures are tested and practiced (min. annually); and
- Equipment for appropriate response is available and maintained.
Types of emergencies to consider
There are many scenarios that should be considered when planning and developing emergency procedures and evacuation, including:
- Fire
- Explosion
- Medical emergency
- Rescues
- Incidents with hazardous chemicals
- Bomb threats
- Armed confrontations; and
- Natural disasters.
Planning should be based on a practical assessment of hazards associated with the work activities undertaken and the actual workplace. Additionally, external hazards should also be considered, for example a chemical storage facility across the road.
