The consequences go beyond immediate injuries. Business disruptions, liability, and reputational fallout are all amplified without a clear emergency plan in place.
What’s in a solid emergency plan?
Benson detailed the key components of an effective Emergency Response Plan (ERP):
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- Risk assessments
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- Evacuation routes & assembly points
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- Defined roles (fire wardens, first responders)
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- Communication protocols
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- Resource allocation (first aid kits, safety equipment)
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- Routine training & drills
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- Post-incident reviews
“Your plan is only as good as the people implementing it,” Benson said, emphasizing that preparation must go hand in hand with regular employee training.
Employee training takes centre stage
A poll conducted during the webinar revealed nearly half of participants ranked employee training as the most critical element of emergency planning. Benson agreed:
“If your employees do not know what to do, where to go, or how to react safely, your risk assessments and fire detection systems won’t protect them.”