_emergency response preparedness
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Most organisations recognise the need to plan for and drill emergency response. A well organised and mature organisation will often provide and train employees in their emergency procedures, flowcharts, contact telephone numbers and evacuation drills.
emergency response preparedness
The Insignificant Few
However, in the vast majority of cases all of these activities are focused on one or two emergency scenarios, typically fire and bomb threat. However for many organisations these scenarios are neither the most likely nor the most significant emergencies their operations are likely to face. So what should they be managing?
The Forgotten Emergencies
An obvious example of emergency often overlooked is a serious medical emergency. Whether through injury or illness, the emergency treatment of employee, contractor or visitor is probably a scenario relevant to most organisations. All workplaces in Australia require some form of first aid resource including, with the exception of small employers, trained first aiders. However most first aiders get little to no opportunity to practice their skills after the practical assessment included in their training course.
This is just one example of an emergency scenario not considered by most organisations. There are scores more. However, the goal is not to just indiscriminately plan for every conceivable emergency situation but instead to determine those which deserve a share of the company's limited resources.
Risk Management Approach
Peter Gaul, Principal Consultant of OSHEM Solutions, advocates a risk management approach to emergency preparedness; "Organisations should determine all possible emergency scenarios but then use risk assessment to decide which are relevant and require additional controls, possibly including response procedures and rehearsal". Depending upon the nature and complexity of the operation, this process can be carried out using internal resources or through an external facilitator such as an Environmental Consultant and/or OHS Consultant.
By undertaking such an approach, not only does the organisation demonstrate a systematic and proactive approach to emergency preparedness and response but also further develops a risk management culture focused on managing what matters.
Peter Gaul is Principal Consultant of OSHEM Solutions, an Australian Environmental and OHS Consultancy.
OSHEM Solutions provides a range of services including OHS management system & environmental management system design, development and implementation, OHS auditing, environmental auditing, workplace inspections, industrial incident investigation and technical writing.
emergency response preparedness
Most organisations recognise the need to plan for and drill emergency response. A well organised and mature organisation will often provide and train employees in their emergency procedures, flowcharts, contact telephone numbers and evacuation drills.
emergency response preparedness
The Insignificant Few
However, in the vast majority of cases all of these activities are focused on one or two emergency scenarios, typically fire and bomb threat. However for many organisations these scenarios are neither the most likely nor the most significant emergencies their operations are likely to face. So what should they be managing?
The Forgotten Emergencies
An obvious example of emergency often overlooked is a serious medical emergency. Whether through injury or illness, the emergency treatment of employee, contractor or visitor is probably a scenario relevant to most organisations. All workplaces in Australia require some form of first aid resource including, with the exception of small employers, trained first aiders. However most first aiders get little to no opportunity to practice their skills after the practical assessment included in their training course.
This is just one example of an emergency scenario not considered by most organisations. There are scores more. However, the goal is not to just indiscriminately plan for every conceivable emergency situation but instead to determine those which deserve a share of the company's limited resources.
Risk Management Approach
Peter Gaul, Principal Consultant of OSHEM Solutions, advocates a risk management approach to emergency preparedness; "Organisations should determine all possible emergency scenarios but then use risk assessment to decide which are relevant and require additional controls, possibly including response procedures and rehearsal". Depending upon the nature and complexity of the operation, this process can be carried out using internal resources or through an external facilitator such as an Environmental Consultant and/or OHS Consultant.
By undertaking such an approach, not only does the organisation demonstrate a systematic and proactive approach to emergency preparedness and response but also further develops a risk management culture focused on managing what matters.
Peter Gaul is Principal Consultant of OSHEM Solutions, an Australian Environmental and OHS Consultancy.
OSHEM Solutions provides a range of services including OHS management system & environmental management system design, development and implementation, OHS auditing, environmental auditing, workplace inspections, industrial incident investigation and technical writing.
emergency response preparedness