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.

What do I Consider when Preparing an Emergency Plan

Emergency plans should be easy to understand and tailored to the specific workplace where they apply. In preparing an emergency plan consider:

  • the nature of the work being carried out at the workplace
  • the nature of the hazards at the workplace
  • the size and location of the workplace
  • the number and composition of the workers and other persons at the workplace.

 

What should an Emergency Plan include?

An emergency plan must include:

  • emergency procedures
  • frequent testing of emergency procedures
  • information, training, and instruction to relevant workers to implement the emergency procedures.

 

Also, consider:

  • workers who travel to work, work alone or at remote locations (including procedures for managing off-site emergency situations)
  • workplaces with confined spaces or that use fall arrest systems
  • neighbouring businesses (such as hazardous chemical spills or bushfires)
  • people sleeping on-site (such as hotels)
  • large numbers of people at the site at the same time (such as stadiums)
  • high-risk chemical processes and major hazard facilities
  • significant cash handling, particularly outside normal business hours

It is a legal requirement that all workplaces have an emergency plan.

No one can predict when an emergency is going to take place. Emergency situations may arise due to a fire, explosion, chemical spill, medical emergency, natural disaster, bomb threat or violence. Your plans will help staff and visitors in any type of emergency.

Having a pre-prepared plan is the best way to respond to an emergency before it happens. Your plans will help workers and visitors in the event of an emergency.

A work-related emergency could be any event that endangers workers, visitors or members of the general public, causes damage or disrupts workplace operations.

See SafeWork NSW Fact Sheet for further assistance.

Source: SafeWork NSW

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