Table of Contents
Emergency Preparedness and Response Policy
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy and procedure is to define the methods for managing the preparedness and response procedures for potential accidents and emergency situations that may lead to significant environmental and WHS impacts.
Scope:
The Emergency Management Policy applies to all people on A2Z Services workplaces. Encompass those on adjoining work workplaces, or private residences in A2Z Services emergency procedures and emergency responses (including evacuations) during significant or critical emergency situations or events.
Policy:
A2Z Services commits to preparing for potential environmental accidents and emergency situations which may arise. The procedures for preventing and mitigating emergency situations may include:
- Fires, explosions;
- Effects of storms, floods, cyclones or other unexpected weather conditions;
- Chemical spillage or leakage;
- Toxic emissions; or
- Accidents as a result of equipment failure.
- Incidents as a result of human error;
- Medical Emergencies;
- Bomb or Substance Threat;
- Violence or robbery;
- Environmental incidents;
- Other relevant matters based on the nature of the work, hazards, size and location and number and composition of people at the workplace.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The Function / Departmental Managers are responsible for:
- Overseeing and implementing the development of the emergency response plan;
- Implementation, maintenance and communication of policy and procedures around emergency response planning;
- Chairing necessary emergency response meetings;
- Identifying who should participate in the initial risk / impact assessment; and
- Provide guidance when necessary.
Environmental/WHS Response Representative:
- The Environmental/WHS Response Representative will review the suitability and effectiveness of the emergency procedures after each accident or emergency situation.
Emergency Response Team responsible for:
- The execution of the appropriate emergency procedures as advised by the Function / Departmental Manager;
- Ensuring the appropriate resources for the emergency response implementation are available;
- Attending emergency response review meetings as required;
- Ensuring communication of any changes is made known to employees, business owners and any effected parties; and
- Participation in post emergency incident review processes.
Employees responsible for:
- Keeping informed and be familiar with the emergency response procedures;
- Attending any required training in relation to emergency response procedures; and
- Following the emergency procedures in case of an incident.
The ERP will ensure the health and safety of people by including the following:
- Written instructions to contact emergency service organisations at the earliest opportunity;
- Written instructions for specific emergencies;
- Facility Plan displayed and accessible to everyone at the workplace;
- Evacuation procedures and assembly points, firefighting and emergency equipment, marked at the workplace plan;
- Display building evacuation plans;
- Alert/Warning, Alarms/Systems;
- Emergency exits well-lit and clear of obstructions;
- Fire protection equipment that is accessible and in working order;
- Chemical spill containment equipment and clean up materials as appropriate;
- SDS for all chemicals plus the chemical register available and current;
- Trained first aid personnel and first aid equipment;
- Roles and responsibilities designated and known, such as Area Wardens
- Specialised training;
- Specific procedures for mobility impaired persons;
- Contact details for emergency services;
- Reliable and functional communication equipment;
- Instructions for notifying relevant authorities;
- Involvement with emergency response organisations;
Managers will conduct emergency drills and periodic testing of the procedures.
The ERP will be reviewed and tested at least Bi Annually to ensure its effectiveness.
The General Manager and HSE Representative will review the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the emergency plan after each accident or emergency situation and revise the emergency plan as necessary.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedure
The Procedures will follow the general steps listed below. Each step within this general process may then be further detailed as necessary.
- Function / Departmental Managers will take proactive steps to initiate and implement a hazard and risk assessment of potential environmental accidents and emergency situations that may arise from tasks and processes. Risk Assessment Form (OF0005)
- Based on the risk assessment, a review will be undertaken to determine if any risk response procedures are already in place for identified operations and activities. Should no risk response procedure be identified, they will be developed and implemented for the activity;
- All operations and activities requiring a risk response procedure will be recorded in the Emergency Preparedness & Response Register (OR0014)
- Function / Departmental Managers will take proactive steps to ensure a standard operating procedure (OF0011) is prepared based on the outcomes of the hazard and risk assessment;
- Emergency team is developed and resourced sufficiently to implement the emergency plan when required;
- Employees and Emergency team members are trained and familiar with the procedures described in the Environmental Emergency plan;
Function / Departmental Managers will ensure emergency drills and periodic testing of the procedures is conducted where practical and, will maintain the Emergency Drill Report (OF0012) for any post incident review;
The Function / Departmental Manager and Environmental Response Representative will review the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the emergency plan after each accident or emergency situation and revise the emergency plan as necessary;
Assess the change to the emergency plan using a risk management approach to arrive at a priority for implementation. (Environmental Risk Assessment Form (EMS Tool Kit);
Follow the change management procedure for implementation. Change Request Form (OF0006) ;
7. Document the response in the appropriate Corrective / Preventative Actions Form (OF0004) and file the response as a record;
8. The Function / Departmental Manager will maintain documentation on emergency response and preparedness, and emergency incidents for at least 3 years.
Forms and Registers
Amendment Record
Issue#: 1 Issue Date: 13/7/2022
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Disclaimer: This documentcontains material to assist in meeting environmental management, Work Health and Safety and Quality obligations under the International Standard ISO AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016,14001:2016 and other legislative bodies. This document contains material sourced from Safe Work Australia. Any such material remains subject to copyright © Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/copyright. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of publication, it is provided as guidance only and does not provide legal advice on meeting your obligations. This document and its contents are © A2Z services 2018 and or the originating source authors and no permission is given for its duplication or copying, in part or in its entirety, for use outside its original purposes as stated within the company.