Fire and emergency alert

Most of us would relate to the sad events of Black Saturday and be aware of fire’s capacity to cause devastation and destroy lives, infrastructure and business.

The same capacity to destroy life and property is present in the industrial environment. A safety management system must contain effective prevention and reaction measures to protect life and property.

Every time you fly you will get a run-through on the safety procedures and this is to ensure that you have a chance of survival in the event of an incident. The energy in the aviation industry is placed in the prevention strategies so that the emergency response is not required. But effective response plans, training and procedures are in place and practiced.

Participate fully and seriously in any trial exercises or evacuations in your workplace and make comments for improvement. Keep your eyes open for improvement opportunities in both prevention and reaction procedures in the workplace.

Familiarise yourself with the evacuation plans and muster points and who the emergency wardens are. Know the emergency number and play your role in the emergency. There is no such thing as a false alarm until the scene is declared safe. Do not enter buildings until the all clear is given.

Remember all incidents and injuries are preventable. The better planned and prepared we are the less likelihood of an incident.

Kevin Bassett
Corporate Safety Manager