Dear reader,

Sure… we all get sick and need a few days off work here and there. But, a significant portion of your workforce is probably abusing their sick leave privileges!

I read an article on Fin24 last year. It says the rate of absenteeism in most companies is between 3.5% and 6%. That’s 11 days more than the average employee should take off sick.

And, it’s almost impossible to establish how many employees don’t arrive at work for countless other reasons… family problems, substance abuse, lack of motivation and financial issues.

Be prepared in an emergency situation

Emergency evacuation planning is an essential part of preventing injuries and ensuring the safety of your employees in emergency situations. Imagine what could happen if a fire extinguisher isn’t working when there’s a fire, or an emergency exit door is locked in an emergency.

It’s an employer’s duty to identify all possible emergency situations, prepare for dealing with emergencies and to make sure all employees know what to do by (OHSAct Section 8 Duty of the Employer to create and maintain a healthy and safe workplace):

o    Providing clear instructions and information;
o    Holding regular practice drills; and
o    Conducting regular inspections of emergency equipment and escape routes.

Appoint competent employees to deal with emergencies

These appointments must include:

- An emergency controller: to take control and make sure the emergency plan is working.

- Evacuation wardens: to make sure everyone in the building is evacuated and moved to a safe place.

- First aiders: to help anyone that is injured and make sure disabled employees are evacuated and moved to a safe place.

- Fire fighters: to extinguish fires.

Tip!
These employees don’t need to be H&S committee members but must be competent to perform the duties they are responsible for. Being members of the H&S committee would be good practice.

If you subscribe to the Health & Safety Advisor, you'll have three sample evacuation procedures, and handy checklists of the duties of your emergency controller, evacuation warden, first aiders and fire wardens in your handbook.

Stay safe, 

Rachel Paterson
Publisher

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