This procedure must be read in conjunction with WHS-PRO-020: Emergency Procedures

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1 1. Purpose Document No: WHS-PRO-021 Approval Date: 8/04/17 EMERGENCY WARDENS Approved By: G. Mowbray Review Date: 8/04/19 Responsible Officer: Expiry Date: N/A Employment Relations Advisor Issue No: 8/04/17 Authorising Officer: Business Manager, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference The aim of this procedure is to ensure that: There are adequate arrangements to deal with emergencies at ACBC agencies appropriate training is given to all workers who have been assigned a role in the control of emergencies at ACBC workplaces This procedure must be read in conjunction with WHS-PRO-020: Emergency Procedures 2. Scope This procedure applies to all ACBC Agencies. It covers all workers at ACBC and ACBC controlled premises. 3. Related Documents ACBC Work Health & Safety Policy ACT: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 NSW: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 NT: Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations QLD: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 SA: Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 TAS: Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 VIC: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 WA: Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 AS Planning for emergencies in facilities Note: It is advisable to check other state and territory legislation which may also apply (e.g. Fire and Emergency Services legislation, Building legislation, Fire Safety legislation). 4. Definitions Emergency An emergency is an unexpected event that poses a threat to life, property or the environment and requires immediate action to prevent or limit such a threat. Emergency warden An emergency warden is a worker who has been nominated to assist with managing an emergency at the workplace. Emergency floor plans Emergency floor plans show a plan view of the workplace indicating the exits, the preferred evacuation route, the emergency assembly area and fire fighting equipment. Emergency assembly area The Emergency assembly area is the place where workers should assemble when they have been evacuated from their building. Page 1 of 5

2 Emergency Coordinator At workplaces where there is more than one Emergency Warden, one of the Emergency Wardens must be selected to be the Emergency Coordinator. This role is responsible for the overall management of emergencies at that workplace. If there is only one Emergency Warden present in the workplace, then this warden assumes the role of Emergency Coordinator. Assistant Emergency Coordinator At workplaces where there are multiple Emergency Wardens, one of the Emergency Wardens may be selected to be the Assistant Emergency Coordinator. This role is responsible for assisting the Emergency Coordinator. Where no Assistant Emergency Coordinator is nominated, the Emergency Coordinator may co-opt an Emergency Warden or any other suitable person to carry out this role. Health and Safety Representative (HSR) A Health and Safety Representative nominated and elected by employees at a workplace in accordance with the relevant State or Territory legislation. Supervisor The Supervisor is a Bishop, an Agency Head, Director, Manager, Coordinator or Team Leader, who is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of workers. 5. Responsibilities Emergency Coordinator The Emergency Coordinator will be responsible for: Setting the appropriate emergency plan in motion Determining the level of response Coordinating the response Monitoring progress of any emergency evacuation Briefing Emergency Services personnel upon arrival on type, scope and location of the emergency and the status of the evacuation and, thereafter, act on the senior officer s instructions Testing the alarm system Organising maintenance and repairs to defective emergency equipment Assistant Emergency Coordinator The Assistant Emergency Coordinator will be responsible for: Liaising with statutory authorities such as the Police and WorkCover Confirming that the appropriate Emergency Service has been notified Liaising with relatives Keeping the Emergency Coordinator informed of the situation as changes occur Acting as directed by the Emergency Coordinator Emergency Wardens Emergency Wardens will be responsible for: Assisting the Emergency Coordinator in managing an emergency Safe evacuation of all people on site at the time of the emergency Accounting for all people and their whereabouts at the time of the emergency Assisting occupants with disabilities to evacuate the building/area Relaying a summary of this information to the Emergency Coordinator Maintaining lists of people likely to be present at the workplace Reporting any defective equipment Communicating with the Emergency Coordinator by whatever means available and act on instructions Page 2 of 5

3 Advising the Emergency Coordinator as soon as possible of the circumstances and action taken Co-opting persons, as required, to assist a warden during an emergency Confirming that the activities of wardens have been completed and report this to the Emergency Coordinator or a senior officer of the attending Emergency Services if the Emergency Coordinator is not contactable Supervisors Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that: Emergency procedures and arrangements are implemented at their sites Emergency arrangements are communicated to new and existing workers The relevant training has been undertaken by emergency personnel Emergency drills are regularly carried out at their site Workers Workers should: Make themselves aware of the emergency procedures and arrangements at their workplace Cooperate with emergency personnel during emergency drills Follow instructions from emergency personnel in the event of an emergency Report any defective equipment Employment Relations Advisor The Employment Relations Advisor will: Assist in developing emergency plans and procedures Facilitate provision of training 6. Selection of Emergency Personnel Number A sufficient number of Emergency Personnel need to be appointed to ensure that whenever the workplace is occupied, the Emergency Personnel are available to respond to an emergency and to enable the workplace to be checked and evacuated quickly and efficiently without compromising any occupants and visitors safety. The following should be taken into consideration when determining the number of Emergency Personnel: the size of the facility, floor or area the number of occupants and visitors the installed occupant warning equipment the fire engineered and life safety features of the facility Personnel Emergency Coordinator/ Assistant Emergency Coordinator The person appointed as Emergency Coordinator should: be capable of performing his/her duties be capable of leading and taking command display effective decision-making skills demonstrate the capability to remain calm under pressure be available to undertake their appointed duties be capable of effectively communicating with occupants and visitors be familiar with the facility be able to undergo relevant training Page 3 of 5

4 Emergency Wardens Emergency Wardens should be appointed in consideration with their presence in the workplace (i.e. whether they are usually physically located in the workplace) Persons appointed as Emergency Wardens should: be capable of performing their duties have leadership qualities and the ability to command authority display effective decision-making skills demonstrate the capability to remain calm under pressure be available on-site to undertake their appointed duties be capable of operating fire extinguishers be capable of effectively communicating with occupants and visitors be capable of deputizing for other positions such as Emergency Coordinator be able to undergo relevant training 7. Authority of Emergency Personnel During emergencies, instructions given by the emergency personnel shall take precedence over the normal management structure. 8. Identification of Emergency Personnel Emergency personnel shall be identifiable by the use of coloured apparel that shall be at least one of the following: Helmets Caps Hats Vests Tabards Note: Emergency Coordinator & Assistant Emergency Coordinator wear white helmets, caps or hats; Emergency Wardens red helmets, caps or hats; First Aid Officers Green helmets, caps or hats. Where first aid personnel respond with emergency personnel, they shall be identified by a white cross on a green background. Identification apparel should be prominently marked with the wearer s emergency personnel role. The type of identification used for each emergency personnel designation shall be consistent throughout the facility. 9. Training of Emergency Personnel All emergency personnel are to be given training that will enable them to carry out their roles competently. The training is to be provided by a competent trainer or training organization. The training should cover the following: The duties of all emergency personnel as described in the emergency response procedures and emergency plan Procedures for the specific emergencies contained in the emergency plan Responding to alarms and reports of emergencies Reporting emergencies and initiating the installed emergency warning equipment Communication during emergencies Pre-emergency activities Emergency activities Post-emergency activities Occupants and visitors with disabilities. (This may need to include training on personal emergency evacuation plans) Human behaviour during emergencies Page 4 of 5

5 The use of installed emergency response equipment (e.g. extinguishers and WIP phones) The performance of the building and its installations during a fire or other emergency (e.g. fire doors, emergency lights, exit signage, sprinklers, ventilation and smoke control systems and fire-rated stairs) Refresher training must be provided to all emergency personnel annually. This should be followed by an emergency evacuation drill. Training records must be retained for all training received by emergency personnel. 10. Records Training Records Page 5 of 5