Emergency Management Policy

1. Policy Statement

Guidance: This policy affirms the company's commitment to protecting life, assets, and the environment during an emergency, aligning with the general duties of an employer under Section 8 of the OHS Act.

[Company Name] is committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its employees, contractors, visitors, and the public, as well as safeguarding company assets and the environment in the event of an emergency. We will achieve this through a structured approach to emergency management encompassing prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

2. Our Commitments

Guidance: This section details the specific actions the company will take to fulfill its policy statement.

• Preventing emergencies where reasonably practicable through proactive risk assessment and hazard control.
• Preparing for foreseeable emergencies by developing, implementing, and maintaining robust Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), providing necessary resources, and ensuring adequate training and drills.
• Responding effectively and efficiently to emergencies to minimize harm to people, property, and the environment.
• Recovering from emergencies by restoring normal operations as safely and quickly as possible and learning from incidents to improve future preparedness.
• Complying with all applicable South African legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, relevant SANS standards (e.g., SANS 10400-T), and local municipal by-laws.
• Fostering a culture of safety and emergency preparedness among all employees through awareness programs and active participation in drills.
• Ensuring effective communication channels are established for internal personnel and external emergency services during an emergency.
• Regularly reviewing and continually improving our emergency management system, plans, and procedures.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Guidance: Clearly defined roles are crucial for an effective emergency response.

• Top Management (CEO): Holds overall accountability for the effectiveness of this policy and ensures the provision of necessary resources for emergency management.
• OHS / Emergency Manager: Responsible for developing, implementing, and reviewing the Emergency Management System and site-specific ERPs, and for coordinating training and drills.
• Emergency Response Team (ERT): A trained group of individuals (including First Aiders and Fire Wardens) responsible for fulfilling designated roles during an emergency as outlined in the ERP.
• All Employees and Contractors: Responsible for familiarizing themselves with emergency procedures, participating in drills, and following the instructions of the ERT and emergency services.

4. Policy Review

This Emergency Management Policy will be reviewed at least every two years, or as necessitated by changes in legislation, operations, or lessons learned from incidents or drills.