Emergency preparedness is planning and actions undertaken in advance of a possible or probable natural or man-made emergency. To be prepared for the worse is the key to ensuring the safety of yourself and colleagues.

1. HSE AWARENESS TRAINING
Emergency Preparedness
Compiled by
Rudi Nieuwoudt
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Emergency Preparedness
Copyright 2017 ©
Emergency preparedness is planning and actions undertaken in
advance of a possible or probable natural or man-made emergency.
To be prepared for the worse is the key to ensuring the safety of
yourself and colleagues.
What Is Emergency Preparedness?
There are many factors to take into consideration when developing
an emergency preparedness plan. In this toolbox talk we will
concentrate on the following key aspects:
 Emergency Plot Plan.
 Escape Routes and Assembly Points
 Site Emergency equipment – Availability and inspections
 Assigning duties and responsibilities.
 Regular Emergency Drills

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Emergency Preparedness
The function of the emergency plot plan is to show to all
employees where the escape routs are as well as the
assembly points. The plot plan must be easy to understand
and must be communicated to all affected people. It is also
important to ensure the plot plan is displayed at strategic
points in the workplace.
Emergency Plot Plan
Escape routes must be well defined. Signage and barricading
goes a long way in ensuring escape routes are highlighted.
Assembly points must be of appropriate size for the amount of
people they must accommodate. Internal Emergency Assembly
points must contain a plot plan, emergency contact numbers,
and forms of communication with the outside. It is imperative
that assembly point are not used as storage areas!
Escape Routs and Assembly Points

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Emergency
Equipment
Environmental Spill Kits
Fire Extinguisher
Fire Hydrants
Breathing Apparatus
Sirens
Radios
Telephones
Air Horns
First Aid Equipment
What do all these pieces of
equipment have in common?
They Need Appointed and Trained people to
operate and inspect them!! Don’t get caught in
an emergency with equipment that is defective
or missing!!
Some emergency equipment commonly found at work areas

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The Emergency Controller The Supervisor
Duties and Responsibilities
Pre-Emergency
 Ensure you are aware of the location of all the
assembly points.
 Ensure you are trained in the emergency
procedures.
 Ensure you are clearly visible by wearing a brightly
colored reflective vest.
 You must have communication (Radio) with your
supervisor.
 Regularly inspect escape routes to ensure they
are clear at all times.
 Regularly inspect emergency equipment to ensure
they are in working order at all times.
During an Emergency
 React immediately when the alarm is sounded.
 Direct employees to the nearest appropriate
assembly point.
 Sweep the area to ensure everyone is evacuated.
 Report to your supervisor.
 Assist with the taking of roll calls.
Post Emergency
 Ensure any used emergency equipment is
replaced.
 Make sure you are part of the debriefing session
and report any concerns you have to your
supervisor.
 Ensure corrective and preventative measures are
implemented and monitor effectiveness.
Pre-Emergency
 Ensure that your team is trained on the emergency
procedures.
 Ensure that regular emergency drills are carried
out and report any improvable points.
 You must have communication (Radio) with your
emergency controller.
 Regularly inspect escape routes to ensure they
are clear at all times.
 Regularly inspect emergency equipment to ensure
they are in working order at all times.
During an Emergency
 React immediately when the alarm is sounded.
 Direct employees to the nearest appropriate
assembly point.
 Take roll calls and report the status to the
appropriate authorities.
Post Emergency
 Ensure any used emergency equipment is
replaced.
 Lead a debriefing session with all involved parties.
 Ensure that you are part of the investigation where
applicable.
 Communicate any lessons learnt to employees.
 Ensure corrective and preventative measures are
implemented and monitor their effectiveness.

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Duties and Responsibilities
The Employee
Pre-Emergency
 Ensure you are aware of the location of all the
assembly points.
 Ensure you are trained in the emergency
procedures.
 Ensure that the employees, emergency controllers
and supervision are made aware of their duties
and responsibilities.
 Regularly inspect escape routes to ensure they
are clear at all times.
 Regularly inspect emergency equipment to ensure
they are in working order at all times.
During an Emergency
 React immediately when the alarm is sounded.
 Direct employees to the nearest appropriate
assembly point.
Post Emergency
 Ensure any used emergency equipment is
replaced.
 Make sure you are part of the debriefing session.
 Communicate any lessons learnt to employees.
 Ensure corrective and preventative measures are
implemented and monitor effectiveness.
Pre-Emergency
 Ensure that you are trained in the emergency
procedures.
 Ensure that you know where the assembly
points are.
During an Emergency
 React immediately when the alarm is sounded.
 Switch off any machinery and close gas bottles
that you were working with before leaving the
area.
 Follow any directions from the emergency
controller.
 Move quickly to the emergency assembly point.
 Report to your supervisor to be accounted for
during roll call.
Post Emergency
 Join the debriefing session.
 Give input about any concerns you had during
the emergency. Mention any improvable points
you think must be considered.
 Make sure that you are made aware of any
changes in the procedure and any corrective
and preventative actions taken.
The Safety Officer

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Emergency Drills
If conducted correctly, emergency drills are the most effective way to gauge
the effectiveness of your emergency procedure. To ensure that your drills are
conducted correctly please take into account the following points.
 Treat every Drill as if it is a real emergency.
 Have several observers positioned at strategic points to monitor the
evacuation without interfering with the proceedings.
 Debrief all involved after the drill.
 Compile a report of the findings noted during the drill. Note both positive
and negatives.
 Compile an action plan for the corrective and preventative measure to be
taken. Assign responsible persons and target dates.
 Monitor effectiveness of actions taken.