Emergency plans

An emergency plan is a written set of instructions that outlines what workers and others at the workplace should do in an emergency.

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.

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
• completing a SeasonalSAFE Plan to keep your workers comfortable and safe from the effects of the summer environment. This includes extreme weather, sun exposure, bushfire or smoke. A SeasonalSAFE Plan can be an additional resource or incorporated into your existing emergency plan.

The emergency procedures must include:

• 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 by the business or employer to coordinate the emergency response and all persons at the workplace.

Workers must be adequately trained in emergency procedures. Arrangements for information, training and instruction of workers should 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 and equipment.

Consider the following when implementing emergency training:

• emergency procedure training during induction courses for new workers
• refresher training for existing workers
• including all workers, including shift-workers, part-time and casual workers
• including short-term contractors or visitors at the workplace
• specific training for people who have a formal role in an emergency, such as fire wardens, area wardens or first aiders.

If you share a workplace with other businesses, for example shopping centres, business estates, construction sites or multi-tenanted office buildings, you need to consult with those businesses when preparing your emergency plan.

Consider preparing a master emergency plan for tenants or businesses at these locations for a coordinated response to an emergency situation.

Emergency plans, or a summary of key elements of the emergency plan should be readily accessible to workers or on display at the workplace.

Make sure workers know where the plans are located and how to implement them.

Use this medical emergency plan poster to help emergency services access an injured worker quickly and easily.

Review and revise your emergency plan regularly to ensure it remains current and effective.

Other circumstances when emergency plans need reviewing and updating may include:

• changes to the workplace, such as re-location or refurbishments
• changes to the number and composition of workers, including increased use of temporary contractors
• where new activities have been introduced to the workplace
• after the plan has been tested following an actual emergency to identify failings and improvements.