AS3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities

Unsure what’s expected of you during an emergency? Let us walk you through the requirements.

Why do I need to know about this?

If you are a Person Conducting Business or Undertaking (PCBU) this Australian Standard (AS) helps guide you towards meeting legislative obligations by outlining the minimum requirements of emergency preparedness to protect life leading up to, and during an emergency.

 

AS3745 dives into 3 main areas of emergency preparedness:

  1. Emergency Planning

  2. Evacuation Diagrams

  3. Training requirements

So, what goes into an Emergency Plan?

At a minimum, it must include:

  1. A clear statement of purpose and scope

  2. Information on the structure and purpose of the Emergency Planning Committee

  3. Identification of the facilities to which it applies

  4. Descriptions of emergency features of the facility

  5. The organisational arrangements for the facility

Your emergency plan must also include clearly denoted separate sections for each of the following:

  1. Emergency identification outcomes

  2. The emergency response procedures

  3. The evacuation diagram

  4. Training arrangements

  5. A list of emergency response exercises

 

Along with the emergency plan, you will also need to have compliant evacuation diagrams.

These evacuation diagrams must meet some strict criteria which includes:

  1. Location of diagrams

  2. Pictorial representation of the floor or area

  3. The title “Evacuation Diagram”

  4. A clear “you are here” mark

  5. The location of exits (shown in green)

  6. The locations of all emergency response equipment

  7. The location of assembly areas

  8. Paths of travel to be taken

  9. Text or pictorial stating the location of the facility

  10. Physical size requirements of diagrams

 

Training is another core aspect of AS3745 compliance.

The Emergency Control Organisation (ECO), otherwise known as your warden team, will be responsible for the facility prior to the arrival of emergency services, and must be trained in various aspects of emergency management including:

  1. The duties of each role within the ECO

  2. Knowledge of the emergency plan

  3. Site procedures for specific emergencies

  4. Responsibilities pre, during, and post emergencies

  5. Reporting and communicating in emergencies

  6. Managing occupants with additional needs

  7. Safe use of emergency equipment (extinguishers etc.)

  8. Skills retention requirements (no greater than 6 months for ECO)

 

We know this is lot to take in when you’re trying to focus on moving your business forward, which is why we’re here to help. The team at Safety 101 are highly experienced in real life emergency response and have helped businesses across Australia meet their emergency preparedness obligations.

Get in touch to discuss getting your emergency plans, evacuation diagrams, or warden training compliant with AS3745 today.

Stephanie Dietzemergency management, workplace health and safety, safety101, evacuation