Emergency preparedness

The consequences of an incident can be significantly reduced if the organisation is appropriately prepared to handle potential emergency situations.

• 14.1Required emergency procedures are identified commensurate with identified credible emergency scenarios, including consideration of foreseeable human behaviours in the event of an emergency.
• 14.2Effective emergency plans, including and involving external emergency services and general public, are in place.
• 14.3Emergency response plans are documented, accessible and clearly communicated. The plans, based on assessed HS&E and process safety risks, cover: response organisation structure; defined roles and responsibilities; internal and external communication procedures; procedures for accessing and mobilising personnel and equipment; procedures for interfacing with other organisations and external emergency response organisations; public relations; and recovery and remediation.
• 14.4There are arrangements to ensure that specified levels of management regularly review emergency response plans, using findings from drills and incidents to identify and address issues and opportunities for improvement, so that they are kept up to date as living systems.
• 14.5Equipment and facilities needed for emergency response are defined and readily available and maintained.
• 14.6Adequate numbers of competent personnel are available to fulfil the defined roles in the emergency plans.
• 14.7Mutual aid schemes involving relevant third parties and external emergency services are established and agreed as appropriate.
• 14.8A regular programme of drills involving internal and external resources is used to exercise, develop and improve capabilities for a range of emergencies.
• 14.9Arrangements for emergency preparedness are understood and followed; understanding of arrangements, and compliance with them, are regularly tested.
• 14.10Compliance and performance trends are reviewed by specified levels of management.