Work safely

3. Emergency incidents at work

Despite the best WHS plans, unfortunately, accidents and emergencies still occur in workplaces. It is important you know how to respond if an incident happens.

Photo by @mchesin on Unsplash, accessed 11/09/2021

Emergency incidents that can occur in any workplace include:

• fires
• explosions
• chemical leaks and exposure
• trips and falls
• medical episodes such as heart attack, epileptic fit, diabetic fit etc.

All workplaces are legally obliged to provide signage, procedures, training and practice runs such as fire drills, for all staff, to enable a swift and controlled response to any emergency incident which may occur.

Common signs, such as the ones below, will direct you to important information or equipment you may need in an emergency. Make sure you look around your workplace and locate where the emergency equipment is stored.

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay, accessed 09/09/2021

Emergency information signs indicate the location of, or directions to, emergency related facilities such as exits, safety equipment or first aid facilities. 

The back ground is green and any text or pictograph is white.

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay, accessed 09/09/2021

Fire signs advise the location of fire alarms and fire-fighting facilities.  

The background is red and any text or pictograph is white.