Emergency procedures are clear, structured plans that outline how to respond to unexpected and potentially dangerous situations.
Well-defined emergency procedures are crucial to protecting the health and safety of employees and people you support. As part of your Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management system, these procedures ensure quick, organized, and effective responses that minimize harm, reduce confusion, and potentially save lives. Regular training and drills help employees understand their roles during an emergency, contributing to a safer, better prepared work environment.
There’s a lot to consider when creating your organization’s emergency procedures. Check out our templates and resources, created with social service workers in mind, to help your process.
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WorkSafeBC Requirements
The development, implementation, and maintenance of emergency response plans are required under WorkSafe BC Occupational Health & Safety Regulations (OHSR).
Learn more:
- WorkSafeBC Emergency Preparedness and Response – OHSR 4.13 – 4.18
- WorkSafeBC Emergency Planning – OHSR 5.97 – 5.104
- WorkSafeBC Documentation – OHSR 3.25
WorkSafeBC Resources:
Preparing for emergencies is key to developing a proactive health and safety program.
What Employers Need to Know
Policies and Procedures
- Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to protect workers in emergencies. Employers must develop, implement, and maintain effective emergency preparedness and response plans.
- Emergency response plans must be readily available to all employees. Plans must outline how to respond to different emergencies that may affect the workplace, including detailed procedures for communication, coordination, and evacuation if necessary.
- Plans must include methods for effective communication between employees, emergency responders, and external agencies.
- Roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined and specify who is responsible for specific actions during an emergency.
- Lead roles must be designated and defined in the plan, such as the fire marshal, emergency wardens, and first aid attendants.
- Occupational first aid attendant coverage must be adequate for the workplace in the event of an emergency.
- Clear policies and procedures for maintaining all safety-related documentation are required.
- Emergency response plan and procedures should be regularly reviewed and updated.
- Relevant legislation should be monitored for changes and documentation revised accordingly.
- A muster point or meeting location must be identified in the event of a full evacuation.
Access to Training
- Employees must be trained in their roles and with the equipment, and communication devices required for emergency response.
- Emergency drills must be conducted to ensure workers are familiar with their roles and required actions.
- The effectiveness of emergency drills must be documented and reviewed.
- Annual in-person fire, evacuation, first aid, and earthquake drills are required and must be documented with the following information:
- Attendance
- Debrief
- What went well?
- Gaps identified?
- Corrective action plan(s) and follow-up
Fire Safety
- Fire plan signage must be posted to indicate safe and accessible evacuation routes throughout the workplace.
- Fire safety training should include R.A.C.E. and P.A.S.S.
- Firefighting and suppression equipment and devices (e.g., fire extinguishers, pull alarms, sprinkler systems) must be maintained through fire prevention companies.
Best Practices
Assess and Train Regularly
- Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all workplace-specific potential emergency scenarios.
- Integrate emergency response plan training into new hire orientations.
- Train all employees regularly on emergency procedures, evacuation, and firefighting equipment. Crosstrain multiple reliable people in emergency response roles.
- Run unannounced drills to assess reactions and response times.
- Maintain training and education records for the duration of an employee’s tenure to demonstrate ongoing competency and compliance.
Be Prepared
- Assign responsibility for emergency planning to a dedicated coordinator to consistently oversee and track all emergency operations.
- Create emergency supply kits in secure, convenient locations. Kits should contain items such as flashlights, emergency contact lists, and blueprints.
- Maintain a supply of emergency food and water.
- Create multilingual resources and signage for staff whose primary language is not English.
Promote a Safety Culture
- Encourage employees to report hazards, suggest improvements, and actively participate in staff meetings, safety meetings, and huddles.
- Implement a reliable record-keeping system that suits the organization’s size and needs.
- Conduct annual reviews of all emergency planning policies and procedures to ensure relevance, accuracy, and compliance.
- Engage the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) in reviewing emergency response plans and contributing to the revision of procedures.
Disclaimer: This resource is intended to help community social service organizations understand the requirements of different aspects developing of health and safety programs. It provides information on key concepts and directs users to relevant resources. The content above is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Please refer to the included links or consult official legislation and resources for current and accurate information.