Contingency and emergency preparedness

• Author: International Labour Organization
• Pages: 75-77

MEISI05-R-2005-02-0159-1-En.doc

75

17. Contingency and emergency

preparedness

17.1. General

17.1.1. Any comprehensive OSH programme should include plans for emergency

response.

17.1.2. The emergency response plans should include, at a minimum, the following:

(a) the roles and responsibilities of the workers assigned to respond;

(b) emergency escape routes and procedures;

(c) procedures to be followed by workers who remain to perform critical operations

before they evacuate;

(d) the evacuation of the worksite;

(e) procedures to account for all workers after the emergency evacuation is complete;

(f) rescue, medical and other duties for workers who are assigned to perform them;

(g) the means for reporting fire and other emergencies;

(h) provisions for first aid;

(i) providing relevant information and training to all personnel of the facility, at all

levels, including regular exercises in emergency prevention, preparedness and

response procedures.

17.1.3. The necessary and most recent information, as well as internal

communication and coordination, should be provided to protect all persons in the event of

an emergency at the worksite. Alarms should be capable of being seen and heard by

everyone; periodic emergency drills should be performed.

17.1.4. Emergency planning, prevention, preparedness and response arrangements

should be designed to protect both workers and the public and should be established in

cooperation with external emergency services.

17.2. First aid and medical care

17.2.1. Implementing an effective first-aid programme should be a cooperative effort,

involving employers, workers and their representatives, occupational health and public

health organizations, and the labour inspectorate.

17.2.2. First aid, including the provision of trained personnel, should be available at

every facility. First-aid boxes should always be clearly marked, be easily accessible and

located near areas where accidents could occur. They should be able to be reached within

one or two minutes. They should be made of suitable materials, and should protect the

contents from heat, humidity, dust and abuse.