Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities 5a: 5 Prepare, maintain, test and implement an emergency plan

Under WHS Regulation 43 a PCBU must ensure an emergency plan is prepared and maintained covering emergency procedures (effective response, evacuation, notifying emergency services at the earliest opportunity, medical treatment and assistance, and effective communication between the person authorised to coordinate the response and everyone at the workplace), testing of the procedures including how often, and information, training and instruction to relevant workers. The plan must be based on an assessment of the workplace hazards and the consequences of an incident, taking account of the work, hazards, size and location and the number and make-up of the people present, and of external hazards such as a neighbouring chemical store. Types of emergency include fire or explosion, chemical release, medical emergency, natural disaster, bomb threat, violence and robbery.