New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION 2001 - REG 17

17 Employer to provide for emergencies

(1) An employer must ensure that, in the event of an emergency at any place of work at which the employer’s undertaking is conducted, arrangements have been made for:

(a) the safe and rapid evacuation of persons from the place of work, and

(b) emergency communications, and

(c) appropriate medical treatment of injured persons.

If the employer does not have control, or has only limited control, of the place of work, the duty under this subclause applies only to the matters over which the employer has control.

(2) In making arrangements for the purposes of this clause, an employer must take the following into account:

(a) the nature of the hazards at the place of work,

(b) the size and location of the place of work,

(c) the number, mobility and capability of persons at the place of work.

(3) If employees work at a fixed place of work, the employer must ensure that:

(a) adequate arrangements are made for the shutting down and evacuation of the place of work in the event of an emergency, and

(b) details of the arrangements for any such evacuation are kept on display in an appropriate location or locations at the place of work, and

(c) one or more persons are appointed and appropriately trained to oversee any such evacuation and, if appropriate, in the use of on-site fire fighting equipment.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

Note: Also see clause 13 (2) (b) which requires an employer to provide any person who may be exposed to a risk to health and safety at the employer’s place of work with any information, instruction and training necessary to ensure the person’s health and safety.