Emergency Preparedness and Response
Along with developing operational controls for implementing alternatives for achieving the desired targets, organizations should be prepared for dealing with emergencies and accidents that can occur in spite of an organization’s preparedness and readiness. Emergencies and accidents can include toxic spills, exposure of hazardous materials to humans and animals, and operational injuries to employees.
Emergency preparedness and response requires organizations to have the provisions for:
- assessing the potential for accidents and emergencies,
- preparing plans and procedures for responding to incidents,
- testing emergency plans and procedures periodically,
- preventing accidents and their environmental impacts,
- reducing impacts associated with the incidents,
- reviewing procedures and response after an incident occurs,
- refining procedures and responses, if necessary, and documenting them,
- training employees on the refined or new procedures.
For example, an engine oil spill from a storage location may require reviewing the procedures for storing and handling oil, cleaning up spills, disposing materials from cleanup, documenting and posting the revised procedures, and informing employees in charge of handling engine oil so that such pills can be prevented in the future.
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