All businesses must have an emergency management plan (EMP) in place to deal with all types of emergencies that could affect your workers.
What to include in an Emergency Management Plan
An emergency management plan is a set of written instructions that explains what workers and others in the workplace should do in the event of an emergency.
EMPs should be practical and easy to understand and include:
- emergency procedures
- procedures for notifying emergency services, including relevant contact details
- how medical treatment and assistance will be provided
- details of the person who is authorised to coordinate the emergency response
- details on how workers will be trained in implementing emergency procedures and
- processes for testing emergency procedures − these should be tested every 6 months and documented in the emergency procedure.
When developing your EMP, consider the size and location of your workplace, including its remoteness from health services, and the number and composition of your workers and other visitors to your workplace.
What types of emergencies should be covered?
The types of emergencies to plan for may include:
- fire
- explosion
- medical emergency
- rescues
- incidents with hazardous chemicals
- bomb threats
- armed confrontations
- natural disasters.
Evacuation procedure
An evacuation procedure is a document that outlines how workers can safely exit an area in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. It should specify a safe meeting point for everyone present. Evacuation procedures must be clearly and prominently displayed in your workplace. Ensure that your evacuation procedure is reviewed at least annually, or immediately following a change in the layout or activities of your workplace.
What to include in your evacuation procedure?
- specify when workers are required to evacuate, e.g. in response to a fire alarm
- include contact details for:
- emergency services and
- emergency management staff, including first aid officers and fire wardens
- detail where emergency equipment is located
- specify arrangements for assisting any hearing- vision or mobility-impaired people during an evacuation
- include processes for accounting for everyone present in the workplace
Who Develops an Emergency Management Plan?
EMPs are developed by an Emergency Planning Committee (EPC), which is usually comprised of health and safety representatives and senior managers.
An EPC is responsible for:
- strategic planning to respond to an emergency
- creating emergency management policies
- reviewing legislative requirements, and ensuring these requirements are met
- monitoring and evaluating emergency management in the workplace
- allocating resources to train staff on emergency management and
- reporting on how emergencies have been dealt with by the business
- responsibilities of an emergency planning committee
How to Develop and Implement an Emergency Management Plan
Step 1: Identify and assess workplace hazards
In consultation with workers, assess the internal hazards associated with your workplace and the potential consequences of an emergency occurring as a result of those hazards e.g. consider whether a fire could start in your workplace due to the presence of ignition sources and combustible material.
Step 2: Consider risks posed by external hazards
Determine whether any external hazards might cause an emergency, such as a fire or explosion e.g. consider whether there are any hazardous facilities, such as a fuel depot, located in close proximity to your workplace.
Step 3: Determine the controls you will put in place
Identify the controls you will implement to deal with any emergencies you identified in your assessment of internal and external hazards.
Step 4: Document the emergency management plan
Your EMP should be prominently displayed and accessible to staff, e.g. on your company intranet.
Step 5: Train workers in the emergency management plan
Ensure that your workers understand the processes to be followed in the event of an emergency. To adequately train workers in your emergency procedures, ensure that you:
- induct new workers in your evacuation procedures and provide staff with refresher training at least every 6 months
- practice evacuation drills at least every 12 months
- conduct specific training sessions for your emergency personnel, including fire wardens and first aid officers
- train workers on how to shut down plant safely, both during an emergency and as part of a planned shutdown and
- inform workers about the location of emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers, gas masks, etc.
Step 6: Review your emergency management plan
For emergency plans to remain current and effective they must be reviewed and revised (if necessary) on a regular basis.
- when there are changes to the workplace such as re-location or refurbishments
- when there are changes in the number or composition of staff including an increase in the use of temporary contractors
- when new activities have been introduced
- after the plan has been tested.
Emergency Equipment in the Workplace
The following emergency equipment should be available at your workplace:
- illuminated exit signs
- appropriate equipment to initially respond to a chemical incident, e.g. absorbent material to contain a liquid spill
- suitable first aid facilities
- appropriate fire protection equipment, e.g. foam or dry powder extinguishers. These should be checked by a competent person every 6 months
- safety data sheets for all hazardous substances stored or used onsite.
- A mechanism for warning staff of an emergency, such as a siren or alarm. This must be tested regularly, i.e. every 6 months, to ensure it is operational.
The MTA can assist you in developing an emergency management plan. For further information please contact the Workplace Relations team on 8291 2000.
