COSHH Risk Assessment Step 7: Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies

Accidents and emergencies

You must plan for any emergency, accidents or incidents.

Plan set procedures and systems, such as emergency procedures and procedures explaining how to warn and notify employees and the emergency services, etc. You need to regularly practice safety drills, and you must provide appropriate first-aid facilities. Review, update and/or change your plans as circumstances change.

If a hazardous substance occurs and you couldn't control it, you must take immediate steps to minimise the harmful effects and tell employees who may be affected.

In emergencies, anyone not concerned with the emergency should leave the area. Anyone who must stay must have appropriate safety equipment, including personal protective equipment.

When you don't need a plan for emergency

This type of plan isn't necessary if:

• the quantities of the hazardous substance would only be a slight risk to health;
• the current control measures are enough; and
• the substance isn't a carcinogen, mutagen or biological agent.