Emergency Response Procedures

Having an emergency response procedure helps individuals and organizations prepare for and effectively respond to unexpected and potentially dangerous situations.

The primary reason for having an emergency response procedure is to ensure the safety and protection of people and property. It provides a structured and organized way to respond to emergencies, reducing the risk of harm and damage.

Emergencies often require quick and decisive action. Having a procedure in place ensures that individuals or teams know what to do immediately, reducing response time and improving the chances of a successful outcome.

In chaotic and stressful situations, people can panic or make impulsive decisions. An emergency response procedure helps to minimize panic by providing clear guidance and steps to follow.

Proactively managing risks is preferable to reacting to crises

Emergency response procedures provide a framework for training and raising awareness among individuals and teams. This helps ensure that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Clear communication is vital during emergencies. Having a response procedure includes communication protocols, ensuring that information is shared effectively among response teams and with relevant authorities. By identifying potential risks and creating response plans, you can reduce the impact of disasters and emergencies. This proactive approach helps in risk mitigation. Whether at an individual, organizational, or community level, being prepared for emergencies is a fundamental aspect of safety and security. To help you the Team at JSEAsy has put together a series of Emergency response procedures.

Emergency Response Plan and Procedure

This policy and procedure touches on the common events leading up to the need to implement an Emergency Response Procedure (WRP)

Contents:

Personal Injury
1. Personal Injury – minor
2. Personal Injury – major
Minor Incident
1. Is it safe to go near the accident?
Isolated Incident
1. Is it safe to approach the accident?
Unmanageable incident
1. See Evacuation Procedure
Emergency Evacuation
1. Fire/ Smoke
2. Raise the alarm
3. Fire Fighting
4. Evacuate
Intruders
Chemical Hazard / Spill / Gas Leak
Suspicious Mail or Packages
1. If suspicious mail or package has not been opened
2. If suspicious mail or package has been opened
3. If suspected that the device is an explosive device
People with Specific Needs
1. What to do in an emergency situation – your individual response
2. Assisting a person with a physical disability
Mental Health Incidents
1. Mental health incidents can include:
2. People needing assistance
3. Face to face threatening or other concerning behaviours
4. Written, phone or observed threatening or other concerning behaviours
Fall From Heights – Refer to:
1. WHS Form 39 Fall From Height Emergency Response Procedure – if access equip on site
2. WHS Form 40 Fall From Height Emergency Response Procedure – No access equip on site
3. WHS Form 80 Fall from Heights Rope Access Emergency Response Procedure
Elevating Work Platform mechanical failure – Refer to:
1. WHS Form 41 EWP Emergency Response Procedure
Trenching Incident – Refer to:
1. WHS Form 68 Trench and Excavations Incident Emergency Response Procedure
Vehicle or Mobile Plant Rollover – Refer to:
1. WHS Form 69 Vehicle or Mobile Plant Rollover Emergency Response Procedure
Bush Fire – Refer to:
1. WHS Form 74 Site Bush Fire Emergency Response Plan

This procedure is included in the JSEAsy safety management software Premium versions.

This procedure can also be purchased individually as a standalone document.

Trench and Excavations Incident Emergency Response Procedure

Trench and Excavations:

A trench is a horizontal or inclined way or opening:

that commences starts at and extends below the surface of the ground, and that is open to the surface along its length
the length of which is greater than its width and greater than or equal to its depth

For the purpose of emergency response, an excavation shall be defined by any depression, hole, trench, or earth wall, man made or natural, of 1500mm or greater.

Trench collapses generally occur due to unstable soil conditions combined with improper or inadequate shoring. The potential for additional collapse is considered a primary hazard to personnel. Removing soil or debris, adding weight near the edge of an open cut, vibration (such as vehicle movement), rain, or simply the passage of time, may cause additional collapse at any time during the rescue operation.

Trench rescue operations present a significant danger to rescue personnel and may involve complex requirements for shoring, hand tools, earth-moving equipment, and other specialised resources. The purpose of this document is to outline the safe and effective management of trench rescue operations, which often require special considerations.

This procedure is included in the JSEAsy safety management software Premium versions.

This procedure can also be purchased individually as a standalone document.