Whakaritea Tō Wāhi Mahi Prepare Your Workplace

Every business has a legal duty of care to its staff, which includes keeping them safe during emergencies. Preparing your workplace for emergencies is not just about ticking a box – it’s about protecting your employees, your business, and ensuring you can recover quickly. 

Involve your team in the creating an emergency plan for your workplace. Talk to them about their concerns, and make sure they’re aware of what to do if an emergency happens. Encourage your team to have personal emergency plans as well, so they know how to reach their families and get home safely in the event of a major disruption. 

Here are the key things your emergency management plan should cover: 

• Evacuation procedures: Have clear, simple instructions for how to evacuate the building in an emergency. Choose a safe meeting place nearby where everyone can gather. 
• Injury management: Ensure you have first aid supplies and that your team knows basic first aid. You may need to care for injured people for several hours. 
• Up-to-date emergency contacts: Keep a list of critical contact details, including staff, emergency services, clients, suppliers, and your insurance provider. Make sure this list is easy to find and updated regularly. 
• Emergency supplies: If an emergency occurs, your team could be stuck at work for hours, or even overnight. Be prepared with enough food, water, and supplies for everyone on-site, including customers and visitors. 
• Utilities shutoff procedures: Fires caused by gas leaks and electrical sparks can happen after disasters. Make sure your team knows how to safely switch off electricity, gas, and water. 

To help get you started, download our Emergency Response Plan Template. Complete it, and make sure it’s visible to all your staff.