Making Compliance with Work, Health and Safety Requirements Hassle-Free

If your company is like most, the likely perception on compliance is a set of check boxes designed to meet requirements. The checklist approach treats compliance as a project rather than a formal workplace safety procedure. It is like saying: a fire drill run at the end of the day after everyone has finished work just to tick the box and say it has been done, versus the opportunity to intelligently integrate this compliance requirement into the overall business continuity plan as part of the enhanced safety strategy.  

In most cases, compliance mandates outline the requirements for planning for emergencies in facilities. To meet the requirements, the Australian Standards states the objective to enhance the safety of people in facilities, by providing a framework for emergency planning and utilising the built facilities as appropriate. The requirements and recommendations in this Standard have been kept general so that they can be adapted to suit all facilities. Regardless of the size and complexity of a facility, continuous assessment and improvement is needed to ensure that the arrangements are effective in an emergency.  

All occupants and visitors to a workplace, regardless of their abilities, have an obligation to take responsibility for their own safety. While this seems simple enough, some workplaces encounter difficulties. This is often due to not having a developed emergency plan that outlines procedures should an emergency arise. The result is an inability to respond to an emergency efficiently, leading to possible injuries, loss of property and life, and fines for negligence.   

Knowing and understanding the Standards, and with the help of an Emergency Management consultant, will aid any CEO/Manager/Director in determining risks and developing control measures for them. It will help them understand their business better. A compliant emergency management system will be part of your overall business continuity plan, as important as the other things needed for your business to succeed. 

Businesses with compliant systems have the following in place: 

• Managers committed to implementing and reviewing their emergency plan in accordance with the Australian Standard 3745:2010 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities. 
• Employees involved in the program with substantial training and re-training. 

• A plan to identify and control hazards as outlined in their procedures. 
• Training on safe work practices by providing inductions for new employees and/or contractors. 
• Mutual respect, caring and open communication in a climate conducive to safety. 
• Continuous monitoring for improvement, raising any concern/s that may affect the safety of the occupants.  

Preparing an Emergency Plan is not an easy task and it requires a lot of detail. Workplace Emergency Management have years of experience preparing Emergency Plans for a broad range of facilities across many industries. We take the stress out of the process and provide qualified consultants to guide you through the process and take on the bulk of the hard work pre and post servicing. 

Get in touch with us at Workplace Emergency Management today for a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of your workplace’s emergency response and management procedures. Call our friendly staff today at 02-8883-1694.