Emergencies happen to all of us, and it's a legal requirement for any employer to have both first aid arrangements and an emergency plan in place for all manner of problems. From fires to bombs, robberies or storms, any workplace needs plans in place for anything that could be expected to happen. Although specific requirements differ depending on workplace, there are many important things any employer or employee needs to know about emergency procedures. For a full overview, seek the relevant legislation for your area.
Who has the duty to prepare it?
All PCBUs must ensure that an emergency plan is prepared for the workplace, including for workers who may work at multiple workplaces.
What is an emergency plan?
An emergency plan is a written set of instructions that outlines what workers and others at the workplace should do in an emergency.
An emergency plan must provide for the following:
- emergency procedures, including:
- an effective response to an emergency
- evacuation procedures
- notifying emergency service organisations at the earliest opportunity
- medical treatment and assistance, and
- effective communication between the person authorised to coordinate the emergency response and all people at the workplace
- testing of the emergency procedures—including the frequency of testing, and
- information, training and instruction to relevant workers in relation to implementing the emergency procedures
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 and natural disasters.
The emergency plan should be based on a practical assessment of hazards associated with the work activity or workplace, and the possible consequences of an emergency occurring as a result of those hazards. External hazards should also be considered in preparing an emergency plan, for example a chemical storage facility across the road.
In developing the plan, consideration should be given to the application of all relevant laws, including public health laws (for example, workplaces that are also public places) and state or territory disaster plans.
What level of detail is required?
Emergency plans do not necessarily have to be lengthy or complex. They should be easy to understand and tailored to the specific workplace where they apply
In preparing an emergency plan, all relevant matters need to be considered including the:
- nature of the work being carried out at the workplace
- nature of the hazards at the workplace
- size and location of the workplace, for example, remoteness, proximity to health services, and
- number and composition of the workers, for example, employees, contractors, and other persons at the workplace such as visitors.
Special consideration may need to be provided for workers who travel for work, work alone or in remote locations.
Example Inclusions
An emergency plan may include practical information for workers such as:
- emergency contact details for key personnel who have specific roles or responsibilities under the emergency plan, for example fire wardens, floor wardens and first aid officers
- contact details for local emergency services, for example police, fire brigade and poison information centre
- a description of the mechanisms for alerting people at the workplace to an emergency or possible emergency, for example siren or bell alarm
- evacuation procedures including arrangements for assisting any hearing, vision or mobility-impaired people
- a map of the workplace illustrating the location of fire protection equipment, emergency exits, assembly points
- triggers and processes for advising neighbouring businesses about emergencies, and
- the post-incident follow-up process, for example notifying the regulator, organising trauma counselling or medical treatment.
Additional Requirements for Higher-Risk Workplaces
Higher-risk workplaces may require additional information in their emergency plans. Examples of these workplaces include:
- workplaces with confined spaces
- workplaces that use fall arrest harness systems
- Major Hazard Facilities and mines
- workplaces that handle or manage asbestos
- workplaces that store or handle hazardous chemicals, and
- workplaces that carry out demolition and refurbishment sites.
For more information about these requirements refer to the relevant chapters in the WHS Regulations and the related Codes of Practice.
Access to the Plan
Emergency plans, or a summary of key elements of emergency plans, should be readily accessible by workers or on display in the workplace, for example on a notice board.
Training in Emergency Procedures
Workers must be adequately trained in emergency procedures. Arrangements for information, training and instruction of workers must be set out in the emergency plan itself.
Training may include practising evacuations, identifying assembly points, location of emergency equipment, first aid arrangements and how to safely shut down machinery.
In determining training requirements, the following should be considered:
- inclusion of emergency procedure training in induction courses for new workers
- provision of refresher training for existing workers
- provision of training for short-term contractors or visitors at the workplace (this may not need to be as extensive as may be required for workers), and
- provision of specific training for individuals who have a formal role in an emergency for example fire wardens, floor wardens, first aid officers.
In Shared Workplaces
In shared workplaces PCBUs must consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other persons who have a work health or safety duty in relation to the same matter, so far as is reasonably practicable.
In shared workplaces where there are multiple PCBUs, a master emergency plan could be prepared that all relevant duty holders use. Examples of shared workplaces include shopping centres, construction sites or office buildings.
More information and guidance on consultation is available in the Code of Practice Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination.
Implementing Emergency Plans
Emergency plans must be implemented in an emergency. Directions from emergency services workers must also be complied in an emergency
Reviewing Emergency Plans
For emergency plans to remain current and effective they must be reviewed and revised (if necessary) on a regular basis. For example:
- 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, and
- after the plan has been tested
For further information, view the Safe Work Australia Emergency Plans Fact Sheet or the Model Work Health and Safety Act
