Incident and Emergency Management
- Establish Emergency Response Procedures
- Complete Annual Emergency Drill and Evacuation Drill Checklist
- Designate Emergency Warden and Review Duties
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Medical clinic employers must plan for potential emergencies, such as fires, severe weather, earthquakes, or other events that could threaten worker safety. An emergency may be defined as any situation of a serious nature that develops suddenly and unexpectedly, and demands immediate attention.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must:
- Assess workplace hazards and implement controls to reduce the risk of injury, including preparing for potential emergencies.
- Develop and implement an emergency response plan that covers all foreseeable types of emergencies, including chemical spills if the clinic keeps enough chemicals on site that staff and first responders might be harmed by them in an emergency.
- Conduct annual drills to test emergency response procedures, including fire drills (required) and chemical spill drills (if applicable).
- Maintain a list of the chemicals and compressed gases used by the clinic. This list is used to help employers identify if certain chemicals may increase the risk or severity of potential emergencies (e.g., fire, explosion, spill).
- Provide training to staff on emergency response procedures and their specific roles in the procedures. Larger employers can consider designating an emergency warden to assist in executing the procedures in an emergency.
- Online courses, such as Code Silver and Code Black training, can support employers in this responsibility.
- Ensure fire safety systems are inspected annually by certified personnel.
Establish Emergency Response Procedures
Clinic staff need to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Complete the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Response Procedures template and share with your staff. We recommend printing the When to Call 9-1-1 quick reference card to post in a visible area.
Complete Annual Emergency Drill
Employers must train employees for emergencies, including conducting annual emergency drills as required by health and safety regulations. These drills help staff become familiar with emergency procedures and how to use evacuation routes effectively.
Use the preparation checklist to guide the planning and execution of an emergency evacuation drill. It is recommended to use a second drill evaluation form to document the drill and record evaluation results for compliance purposes.
Designate an Emergency Warden and Review Duties
WorkSafeBC recommends assigning an emergency warden in larger workplaces as a best practice to help coordinate evacuations during emergencies. These individuals can also assist by regularly checking fire safety equipment and ensuring that evacuation routes and emergency exits are clearly marked, well-lit, and unobstructed. Print and share the Emergency Warden Duties document so all clinic staff are aware on who the warden is.
