3.8 Emergency Procedures

Why emergency procedures need to be developed

An emergency plan sets out procedures for dealing with sudden or unexpected situations. Its aims are to:

• prevent fatalities and injuries
• reduce damage to buildings, stock and equipment
• protect the environment and the community
• speed up the return to normal operations

An organisation must develop procedures for foreseeable incidents. These may include:

• fire
• explosion
• building collapse
• major structural failure
• spills
• unintended release of products
• terrorist activity
• exposure to ionising radiation
• loss of electrical power
• loss of water supply
• loss of communications

There are also risks from natural hazards:

• floods
• earthquakes
• tornadoes
• severe windstorms
• snow or ice storms
• extremes of temperature
• pandemic diseases

Besides guiding people during an emergency, developing the plan has other benefits. You may discover unrecognised hazards that would make an emergency worse and can work to remove them. The planning may show shortcomings, such as a lack of equipment, trained people or supplies, that can be put right before an emergency occurs. A plan also raises safety awareness and shows the organisation's commitment to the safety of workers.

Without an emergency plan an organisation can suffer severe losses, including multiple casualties and even financial collapse.

What to include in an emergency procedure

HSE guidance suggests the following.

• Consider what might happen and how the alarm will be raised. Do not forget night and shift working, weekends and times when the premises are closed, such as holidays.
• Plan what to do, including how to call the emergency services. Help them by marking your premises clearly from the road. Consider drawing a simple plan showing where hazardous items are located.
• If you hold dangerous substances above the legally defined threshold, you must notify the fire and rescue service and put up warning signs.
• Decide where people go to reach a place of safety or to get rescue equipment. Suitable emergency lighting must be provided.
• Provide enough emergency exits for everyone to escape quickly, and keep emergency doors and escape routes clear and marked.
• Nominate competent people to take control.
• Decide which other key people you need, such as an incident controller, someone able to give technical and site-specific information, or first aiders.
• Plan essential actions such as emergency plant shutdown, isolation or making processes safe. Clearly identify important items such as shut-off valves and electrical isolators.
• Train everyone in the emergency procedures, remembering people with disabilities and vulnerable workers.
• Do not resume work after an emergency if a serious danger remains. If in doubt, ask the emergency services for help.

Summary notes for Element 3 · Cheat sheet · Glossary. A study aid, not published or endorsed by NEBOSH.