Activity 2: Preparing for emergencies

South Australian Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (OHSW) legislation imposes obligations on employers to implement its OHS policy in consultation with employees and their representatives. Planning includes the organisation's response to emergency situations. Emergency procedures must be developed that are relevant to the organisation and the unplanned, disruptive incidents that could occur. This includes emergency evacuations from a building or other workplace such as a construction site, vehicle or a remote location.

Disruptive incidents may include hazardous substance spills, explosions, fire, flood, power failure, bomb threat, robbery, civil protest, vehicle accidents and major machinery breakdowns. There should be a first aid service in all workplaces as part of the management of emergencies. Employers are further required to keep and manage emergency records, such as first aid treatments or a register of hazardous substances that can be used by the fire services when attending spills or fires. Records and records management form an integral component of the OHS program, enabling monitoring, review and improvement.

Benefits of completing this activity

• Compliance with the legislation
• Reduction in costs associated with injury, illness and emergencies
• Providing prompt first aid service
• Protection of workers in the event of an emergency
• Reduced illness and injury from exposure to chemicals.

Benchmark 2.1: Planning is used to establish and maintain a systematic approach to continuously improve OHSW.

What do you have in place now?

Use the following checklist - it will show you what you have in place and help you choose the tasks you need to do to meet Benchmark 2.1:

Indicators that satisfy Benchmark 2.1

• First aiders appointed and trained
• First aid kits fully maintained
• First aid treatment records kept
• Emergency response plan in place
• Emergency response procedures in place
• Details of expert advice sought/obtained in relation to emergency situations
• Register of hazardous substances maintained

Benchmark 4.2: The Employer must implement the risk controls identified in the OHS risk management program.

The responsibility for the carrying out the specific requirements for planning and managing emergencies will generally flow to line managers, supervisors or team leaders.

What do you have in place now?

Use the following checklist as a guide to check if you meet Benchmark 4.2, and to choose tasks in Activity 2:

Indicators that satisfy Benchmark 4.2

• Position descriptions allocate responsibility for emergency planning and implementation
• Written duty statements allocate responsibility
• Procedures written that covers each type of identified emergency situation
• Training and/or induction in emergency procedures
• Procedures manual/s include emergency planning responses for fire, explosion, chemical spills, first aid emergencies etc.
• Emergency exits clearly marked, unlocked and clear of obstructions
• Sufficient fire fighting equipment that is regularly maintained
• Emergency facilities regularly maintained.