In an emergency, you can be stuck at work, without transport home. Make a personal workplace emergency plan so you know who to contact at work and have a plan to get home safely. Emergencies can happen anytime, including during business hours. You can’t predict when they will happen, but you can take actions to make your business more prepared.
Identify the risks to your business and staff
Find out what the risks are and how they can impact on your business. Risks include natural hazards, health emergencies and utility failures. If you have staff, talk to them about the risks they think are most relevant to your business.
Make an emergency plan for your business
Businesses have an obligation to be prepared for an emergency. In most cases we can’t predict when an emergency will happen. But we can make plans to make sure our staff are safe, our financial and personal losses are reduced and we are able to get back to business as soon as possible.
Your plan should include the following.
* Emergency procedures for fire, earthquake, tsunami and other hazards.
* Assembly points, wardens and first aid training.
* How to contact staff, suppliers, clients and insurance providers.
* Alternative arrangements if you are unable to access your premises, files, etc.
Talk to your disabled staff. Find out what support they might need if there's an emergency. Also think about how you might need to help any visitors who have a disability.
Look after your staff
As an employer, you have a duty of care to your staff, including caring for them during and after emergencies. Start by involving your staff in identifying risks and making an emergency plan. Talk to them about what they, and their whānau, would need to get through an emergency.
Make sure your staff have personal workplace emergency plans so they know who to contact at work in an emergency and have a plan to get home safely. In an emergency, your staff may be stuck at work or unable to take transport home for a day or more. Make sure you have enough supplies for everyone onsite for five days. This should include for visitors too.
Make an emergency plan for your business
Businesses have an obligation to be prepared for any emergency. While we can’t predict when an emergency will happen, we can make plans to ensure our staff are safe, our financial and personal losses are reduced and we are able to get back to business as soon as possible.
Your plan should include –
· Emergency procedures for fire, earthquake, tsunami and other hazards
· Assembly points, wardens and first aid training
· An evacuation plan should your business be in an inundation zone
· How to contact staff, suppliers, clients and insurance providers
· Alternative arrangements should you be unable to access your premises.
Talk to your disabled staff and find out what support they may need if there is an emergency.
Here’s a link on emergency planning from business.govt.nz
Have a Civil Defence cabinet
These suggestions for equipment and food are guidelines only. What you need will depend on the number of staff, the nature of your business, the type of building, and your location.
