Summary
Emergency management is a vital aspect of business strategy beyond
merely responding to crises. It encompasses risk assessment, preparedness,
response, and recovery to ensure the business can respond
to emergencies. By investing in a comprehensive emergency plan, businesses can
safeguard their operations, protect their people, and improve organisational
resilience.
Why Emergency Management?
Businesses face numerous risks that can disrupt operations and threaten the
safety and well-being of staff, contractors and visitors. An effective emergency
plan is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a strategic necessity that can
determine a business' resilience in the face of unforeseen events.
The safety of employees, customers, visitors and the community should always be
a top priority. An emergency plan outlines procedures for evacuations, medical
and other foreseeable emergencies. Training staff on these procedures ensures
everyone knows how to react promptly and correctly, reducing the risk of injuries
and incidents.
Risk Assessment and creating a command for action
Non-compliance to Work Health and Safety legislation can result in hefty fines and legal action. By developing and maintaining an emergency plan, businesses can meet regulatory requirements, through regular drills and updates to the plan, which keeps the business prepared for any eventuality.
When considering your testing requirements as per clause 8.2 in ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015, it is important to consider what are the foreseeable and likely risks. For example, if your organisation is a Civil contractor, then while conducting Fire Evacuation of the office is a valid test, it is not the only, or potentially the most likely scenario your team might face. Perhaps a medical event while a worker is in an excavation, or a fuel spill if tankers are used for refuelling are potential events that could be mitigated through thorough testing and training.
Leadership and workers need to know their roles and responsibilities in each phase of the Emergency Plan – it is essential for businesses to ‘bounce back’ in disasters and emergencies.
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