Picture your workplace in evacuation mode – what kind of emergency is most likely to prompt it? Depending on where you work, it might be earthquake, fire, flood, or a security or biosecurity breach. The reality is that most workplaces are vulnerable to more than one kind of emergency - your emergency preparedness and staff training need to reflect this fact.
With wildfires, floods, and earthquakes here at home, and massive earth-slides, cyclones and monsoonal floods overseas, we are seeing repeated reminders that emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time, and often without warning.
Workplace legislation requires employers and employees alike to proactively manage workplace health and safety through risk assessment, emergency planning, and emergency evacuation training.
What does your risk assessment process cover? The primary focus for any business is the protection of staff, followed by protection of equipment and property. Business owners also need to consider a further level of risk management – one that deals with the mid and longer-term risks posed to vital non-tangible business assets such as business continuity, market share, reputation, and outsourcing arrangements.
If your business management team hasn’t already spoken with Safety First about evacuation planning and emergency management, there is no better time than right now.
Common sense dictates that it’s also incumbent upon us to develop emergency preparedness for our families and communities – when disaster strikes, it’s too late to plan.
Get Ready Week this year was themed Stay Safe, Stay Informed. Take the opportunity to ensure that the people you care about know how to stay informed during an emergency with these 2017 Get Ready Week resources.
