No matter how many precautions you take, chemical emergencies can happen at any time (on any shift). This blog is all about emergency preparedness — the steps you need to take to ensure that your workers and property are safe before, during, and after a chemical emergency.
Planning for chemical emergencies involves:
Preparation is key when dealing effectively with an emergency situation – particularly in circumstances which involve dangerous goods. Incidents can quickly turn into life-threatening situations when flammable liquid fires, toxic chemical spills or chemical reactions occur in a plan for a chemical emergency, we’ve created some key steps for handling an emergency response.
To help you understand the situation a little better, we’ll be using some generic examples to demonstrate the emergency planning process.
PLEASE NOTE: They are not intended as specific emergency response advice, and you should always conduct your own risk assessment that considers the unique nature of your workplace.
The first essential step in emergency preparedness is to develop and implement an emergency plan. Your emergency plan looks at the type of critical incidents that could take place (or affect) your worksite.
Examples of emergencies in a workplace may be incidents caused by natural disasters (bushfires, floods, cyclones), workplace accidents (including fires, toxic gas releases, chemical spills), external threats (bomb scares, armed hold ups) or other hazardous situations.
Whether you’re developing an on-site emergency plan for chemical industry operations or an emergency procedure guide for a small retail business, you must consider relevant laws, public health laws and disaster plans relevant to your state or territory.
Your emergency plan (otherwise referred to as an EP) puts in place evacuation procedures and other safety measures to protect your workers as well as the business.
An emergency plan is required under Division 4 of the WHS Regulations and requires you to take into consideration:
When developing your emergency plan you may need to consult with your local emergency service providers, as well as the owners of neighbouring properties and worksites. This is especially important when the worksite is remote or when your job site is in a shared space. Let’s look at the following two generic examples.
EXAMPLE 1: Remote fueling station.
Your workplace is located in a remote area of FNQ 250km from the nearest commercial centre. Consulting with regional councils and emergency services when developing your emergency plan will be essential.
EXAMPLE 2: Welding workshop
Your welding workshop is located in a shared industrial building, there are 6 workshops in the building. Your emergency plan must consider the activities of the other 5 tenants as well as the requirements of the landlord.
Your EP must consider your operations, your risks and all relevant laws.
Most emergency equipment is mandatory and required under WHS legislation and Australian Standards. When developing your emergency plan, you should conduct a risk assessment and consider your need for:
The emergency equipment you install will relate to the specific needs of your job site, and must be always in working order and available for use during an emergency. It should be situated so it’s easy to grab and your workers must know how to use it safely.
Is your workplace equipped to deal with chemical emergencies, such as a hazardous spill?
Your emergency plan and emergency equipment is futile if your staff don’t know what to do. Take the time to develop procedures for different emergency situations, than reinforce this with regular training and drills. Your emergency procedures should include as a minimum:
Emergency procedures also include responses to other critical incidents eg, toxic gas alarms, essential equipment failure, power-cuts and blackouts, floods, storms, lightning strikes, accidents and bushfires on adjacent properties.
REMEMBER: The best approach to emergency preparedness is to have a complete understanding of the chemical hazards at your workplace and already have in place efficient housekeeping, chemical storage and handling systems.
Emergency preparedness is a fundamental part of a compliant risk management plan. To learn how to begin the risk management process at your own workplace download our free eBook How to manage the risk of Hazardous Chemicals in the workplace. It introduces our 4-STEP risk management methodology and contains a set of practical tools and templates you can begin using immediately. Don’t miss out. Get your copy today.