Lately, a new report of flooding seems to pop up every other day, especially in the eastern half of the country. Flooding and rain damage can cause tremendous destruction and chaos for both families and businesses.
Having a safety plan that is up-to-date and well understood among your workforce can mean the difference between life and death. Below, we go over the legal criteria for Emergency Plans and some tips for implementing any new elements.
The Bare Minimum
According to the model Work Health and Safety Regulation (article 43), Emergency Plans are a legal requirement. All businesses must ensure that every workplace has an Emergency Plan, including cases where employees work in multiple workplaces,
The Contents
Emergency Plans are written instructions for procedures to be followed in the event of a relevant emergency and should include:
- Relevant training for workers who may have specific roles in the Emergency Plan. e.g. ServoSkills
- Testing and trials of the Emergency Plan
- Emergency procedures (evacuation procedures, emergency service notification/basic medical treatment, emergency contact posting/notification, egress points, etc.)
Of course, no Emergency Plan will be effective unless the entire workforce knows there is a plan. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure every employee is aware of the Emergency Plan, their specific responsibilities in case of an emergency, and where to go if they have any questions about the plan.
In addition to that, Emergency Plans should be reviewed regularly to accommodate any changes that occur in the workplace. You are legally required to review the Plan with the consultative assistance of your workplace’s health and safety representatives when necessary.
Getting all of the safety-related paperwork for your Independent Service Station can be a hassle at best and a legal nightmare at worst. When you’re ready to take a load from your mind while still providing high-quality service, try ServoPro. With years of experience in the petroleum industry, we can help you with anything from compliance services to training and IT support. If your already a ServoPro member and you need to put an emergency plan in place or you haven’t joined yet and would like to knowm more Contact us today.