INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM(IMS)
What Are Emergency Plans?
What Are Emergency Plans?
The purpose of emergency planning is to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to a serious and potentially dangerous event. Planning for emergencies may include preparations for natural disasters or man-made catastrophes, accidents, security breaches, terrorism, medical emergencies, food shortages, and other disruptive events.
Depending on the scope of your workplace and the type of work that is carried out, you can modify the emergency plan. We recommend the following emergency plans:
- Describe the steps your employees should take when an emergency arises; include instructions, training, and relevant information.
- Include evacuation procedures.
- Document the steps for notifying the relevant emergency services.
- Procedures relating to medical treatment or assistance.
- Intentions and frequency for testing these emergency procedures.
- Floor plan of your workplace outlining the locations for:
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- First Aid Kit
- Firefighting equipment
- Spillage kits
- Marking of exits, lifts, walkways
- Assembly points
The emergency plans for your organisation may not need to be too complex if it operates in a low-risk environment.
It is also imperative that every employee across the organisation is aware of the emergency coordinator and activator. These employees must be aware of the steps that will be taken to keep risk as low as possible.
Employees who intend to visit more than one workplace are required to know all applicable emergency plans.
Common Emergency Situations in the workplace
- Gas leak, chemical spill, or leak
- Fire
- Water shortage or electricity outage
- Natural disaster
- Robberies or bomb threats
- Medical emergency
Emergency Planning Best Practice:
Your emergency plans need to be reviewed and tested frequently so that everyone understands them. Especially relevant if your organization experiences high turnover, as new employees need to know what plans are in place.
Your current emergency plan may also need to be reviewed if laws or regulations change within your country. Keep up to date with the legal requirements of your industry.
Use SHEQ software
To design and implement a Quality Management System, SRM and many of our clients use Mango Compliance Software – www.mangolive.com Mango makes it easier to obtain and maintain ISO 9001:2015 certification.
SRM is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified. Contact our consultants today. Let us know if we can help you with the development and implementation of your Quality Management System.