Emergency management

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 requires preparation to respond to emergencies in a place of work, to prevent harm or potential harm, to workers. An emergency is described as 'a sudden state of danger'. These procedures need to be appropriate for the potential dangers of the workplace, including management of people lawfully in the workplace.

Emergency evacuations

Fire

Under the Fire and Emergency Evacuation Regulations 2006, the University is required to have an evacuation procedure for most buildings, and an approved evacuation scheme.

Find out more about fire evacuations

Earthquake

Everybody should know what to do during an earthquake. By following the correct procedures, you can reduce the risk to yourself and others.

Find out more about earthquake evacuations

Types of emergencies

The risk and hazard register is a starting point to identify the types of potential emergency situations. For example:

• Hazardous substances responses
• Serious injury
• Bomb scare
• Cash handling - armed hold-up, robbery
• Unwelcome visitor and/or threatening behaviors
• Emergency break downs of equipment/supplies
• Isolation and remote location emergencies, etc.

Whatever the identified potential dangerous situation, the risk or hazard must be eliminated or minimised where possible, and an action or response plan should be documented.

As with any identified risk, hazard or procedure, training and equipment may need to be provided. Ensure that the information remains current, is readily available to workers and is accessible. This information should be a part of the induction process for any new workers.

Please ensure that the physical address is known in the case of having to provide information to emergency services.

First aid provision

Each work area must have first aid coverage, suitable to the nature and location of the work being undertaken.

When determining the need for First Aiders and first aid supplies, each University department should complete a first aid needs assessment based on Section 5 of First aid at work produced by Worksafe NZ.

A certificated workplace First Aider is an individual who has completed the 12-hour Comprehensive (Workplace) First Aid qualification. This qualification requires a two-yearly Revalidation course of six hours.  Courses are arranged through the Health and Safety office (contact hs.training@otago.ac.nz), but can be provided in the department or division if more appropriate.

First aid courses

The University offers three first aid courses to staff. Please note that these courses do cost.

• Comprehensive (Workplace) First Aid
• Revalidation (Refresher) First Aid