Skip to main content

Emergency Preparedness Overview

PCBUs must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision of:

  • Emergency plans and procedures
  • Adequate first aid facilities and trained personnel
  • Emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, etc.)
  • Access to emergency services

What is an Emergency?​

An emergency is an event that:

  • Requires immediate action
  • Threatens the safety of people at the workplace
  • Could result in serious injury or death

Construction Emergencies​

Common construction emergencies include:

  • Fire or explosion
  • Structural collapse (scaffolding, formwork, excavation)
  • Person trapped (in excavation, confined space, machinery)
  • Falls from heights with serious injury
  • Electrocution
  • Gas leaks or hazardous substance releases
  • Medical emergencies (heart attack, heat stroke, serious injury)
  • Natural disasters (storms, floods, earthquakes)

Emergency Planning​

Emergency Plan Requirements​

Emergency plans must:

  • Identify foreseeable emergencies
  • Establish emergency procedures for each type of emergency
  • Specify evacuation procedures
  • Identify locations of emergency equipment
  • Nominate emergency contact persons
  • Detail testing and review procedures

Construction Site Emergency Plans​

Consider:

  • Site-specific hazards (heights, excavations, confined spaces, chemicals)
  • Changing site conditions as construction progresses
  • Multiple PCBUs and coordination of emergency response
  • Access for emergency services (ambulances, fire trucks)
  • Communication systems (how to raise alarm, contact emergency services)
  • Assembly points away from hazards
  • Visitor and contractor management during emergencies

Emergency Procedures​

Evacuation Procedures​

Must specify:

  • When to evacuate (alarm signals, who can authorize)
  • How to evacuate (evacuation routes, assembly points)
  • Who ensures everyone evacuated (floor/area wardens)
  • How to account for people (roll calls, visitor sign-in sheets)
  • When workers can re-enter (all-clear procedures)

Construction considerations:

  • Evacuation from heights (scaffolding, elevated floors)
  • Accounting for workers in excavations or confined spaces
  • Multiple assembly points for large sites
  • Audible alarms over construction noise
  • Multilingual workforce understanding procedures

Fire Emergency Procedures​

  • Raise the alarm - alert others to danger
  • Call emergency services - 000 or site emergency number
  • Attempt to extinguish - only if safe to do so with appropriate extinguisher
  • Evacuate if fire cannot be controlled - close doors to contain fire
  • Account for all persons at assembly point

[!warning] Do Not Risk Your Life Fighting Fire Only attempt to extinguish small fires if you are trained, have appropriate equipment, and have a clear escape route.

Confined Space Rescue​

Confined spaces require specific rescue plans before entry:

  • Trained rescue team or emergency services on standby
  • Rescue equipment (harnesses, winches, breathing apparatus)
  • Communication system between entry team and standby
  • Never enter a confined space to attempt rescue without training and equipment

Person Trapped or Seriously Injured​

  • Call 000 immediately - request ambulance and describe situation
  • Provide first aid if trained and safe to do so
  • DO NOT move injured person unless immediate danger (fire, collapse)
  • Preserve the scene for investigation (where safe to do so)
  • Notify SafeWork NSW - serious injuries and dangerous incidents are notifiable

Emergency Equipment​

Fire Fighting Equipment​

Portable fire extinguishers:

  • Appropriate type for fire risks (Class A, B, C, E, F)
  • Located near fire risks
  • Accessible and clearly signposted
  • Tested and maintained regularly

Construction sites typically need:

  • Dry chemical powder extinguishers (multi-purpose)
  • CO2 extinguishers near electrical equipment
  • Fire blankets in site offices and meal areas

Other fire equipment:

  • Fire hoses and hydrants (permanent buildings)
  • Fire blankets
  • Sprinkler systems (if installed)

Emergency Lighting​

Required where:

  • Workers need to evacuate in darkness or smoke
  • Power failure could trap workers
  • Evacuation routes not adequately lit

Construction considerations:

  • Emergency lighting in enclosed areas
  • Torches or headlamps for confined spaces
  • Backup power for construction sites

Emergency Communication​

Essential systems:

  • Alarm systems - to alert workers to evacuate
  • Two-way radios - for communication during emergencies
  • Mobile phones - to call emergency services
  • Emergency contact lists - displayed prominently

First Aid Equipment​

See First Aid section for detailed requirements.

Minimum requirements:

  • First aid kits appropriate to workplace size and hazards
  • Located where readily accessible
  • Maintained and stocked

First Aid Provision​

First Aid Requirements​

PCBUs must provide:

  • Adequate first aid facilities (first aid kits, rooms)
  • First aid trained personnel (sufficient number for workplace)
  • Access to medical services (arrangements for transport to medical treatment)

How Many First Aiders?​

Consider:

  • Number of workers
  • Nature of work and level of risk
  • Location and access to medical services
  • Work arrangements (shifts, scattered locations)

Construction guideline:

  • Low-risk sites: 1 first aider per 50 workers
  • High-risk sites: 1 first aider per 25 workers
  • Remote sites: Higher ratio and advanced first aid training

First Aid Training​

Recommended training:

  • Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) - standard first aid
  • Remote or High-Risk: Advanced first aid and CPR
  • Refresher training - every 3 years (CPR annually)

First Aid Facilities​

Construction sites need:

  • First aid room - for large or long-term projects
  • First aid kits - in site offices, on vehicles, with mobile crews
  • Equipment - stretchers, spinal boards, eye wash stations
  • Clean water - for washing wounds and eye injuries

Emergency Training and Drills​

Training Requirements​

Workers must be informed about:

  • Emergency procedures for the workplace
  • Location of emergency equipment
  • Location of emergency exits and assembly points
  • How to raise the alarm
  • Their roles in emergencies (wardens, first aiders)

Training should be:

  • Part of site induction for new workers
  • Refreshed regularly
  • Provided in languages workers understand
  • Practical (demonstrate using extinguishers, evacuation routes)

Emergency Drills​

Conduct drills to:

  • Test emergency procedures
  • Practice evacuation
  • Identify problems with procedures
  • Train workers in their emergency roles
  • Build confidence in emergency response

Construction site drills:

  • Schedule during toolbox talks or site meetings
  • Practice evacuating from different areas of site
  • Test alarm systems
  • Time evacuation and account for all persons
  • Review and improve procedures after each drill

Notifiable Incidents​

Certain emergencies must be notified immediately to SafeWork NSW:

Notifiable Incidents Include​

  • Death of a person
  • Serious injury or illness:
    • Requires immediate treatment as in-patient in hospital
    • Immediate treatment for serious head, eye, chest, or abdominal injury
    • Amputation
    • Serious burns
    • Serious musculoskeletal injury
    • Serious lacerations
    • Electric shock
  • Dangerous incidents (even if no one injured):
    • Uncontrolled collapse of structure, scaffolding, equipment
    • Uncontrolled explosion or fire
    • Uncontrolled release of hazardous substance
    • Fall of person from height > 2 metres
    • etc. (see WHS Regulations for complete list)

Notification Process​

  1. Immediately notify SafeWork NSW:
    • Phone: 13 10 50
    • Online: SafeWork NSW website
  2. Provide details:
    • Location and time of incident
    • Nature of incident
    • Contact details
  3. Preserve the site - must not disturb scene unless:
    • To help injured person
    • To remove body (with police permission)
    • To prevent further injury or damage
    • By direction of inspector
  4. Written notice - within 48 hours if required

Emergency Services Access​

Ensure Emergency Services Can Access Site​

  • Clear address - visible from street
  • Access routes - wide enough for fire trucks and ambulances
  • Site maps - available for emergency services showing layout
  • Contact person - someone available to meet emergency services and guide them
  • Hazard information - materials on site, utilities, specific risks

Construction sites:

  • Maintain clear access roads
  • Remove obstacles blocking emergency vehicle access
  • Provide site plans showing hazards (gas lines, electrical, chemicals)
  • Ensure gates can be opened for emergency vehicles

Coordination with Other PCBUs​

When multiple PCBUs share a workplace:

  • Coordinate emergency planning - shared procedures and drills
  • Communicate clearly - who is responsible for what
  • Joint evacuation - shared assembly points and accounting
  • Emergency contact lists - for all PCBUs on site

Principal contractors must document emergency arrangements in the WHS Management Plan.