NOS
“Effectively Manage Incidents and Emergencies”
OVERVIEW
This standard is aimed at those who work at a management level in the
environmental protection or waste management sector and who are
required to deal with and manage incidents and emergencies. This
could include fire, flood, spillage, contamination or other
environmental incidents, scenes of crime, accidents and medical
emergencies, as well as health and safety and security incidents.
It is important that procedures are in place to deal with incidents and
emergencies and that these are communicated to those who need to
know, including what to do, for example how to use appropriate
emergency equipment, how to contact the emergency services and
other relevant sources of assistance, and how to record and report
details of incidents and emergencies.
Effectively Manage Incidents and Emergencies
Performance criteria
You must
able to:
be Respond to incidents and emergencies
P1
Identify the nature, location and extent of the incident
P2
Identify the appropriate individuals to report the incident to and
those agencies who should be involved
P3
Identify the appropriate people to inform as actions are taken
P4
Respond to all incidents and emergencies within a timely manner
P5
Recognise the difference between an “emergency” and an “urgent”
situation
P6
You must
able to:
Ensure your response is proportional to the severity of the situation
be Manage incidents and emergencies
P1
Obtain complete and accurate information about the incident or
emergency from the relevant sources
P2
Carry out an accurate assessment of the situation
P3
Select a course of action which is both appropriate to the situation,
and within the limits of your competency and authority
P4
Utilise the appropriate resources throughout the emergency
P5
Provide support and direction to others involved in the incident or
emergency
P6
Evaluate the potential outcomes of the situation, and develop a
plan of action which outlines contingency actions
P7
Liaise with colleagues, emergency services and any other relevant
individuals or organisations involved in the situation
P8
Work with and assist colleagues, emergency services and any other
relevant individuals or organisations involved to resolve the
situation
P9
Provide accurate information to the relevant people involved in a
clear and timely manner
You must
able to:
be Develop and maintain effective systems for responding to emergencies
P1
Ensure procedures are in place to deal with incidents and
emergencies
P2
Ensure that all procedures are communicated to those that need to
be informed
P3
Confirm the required aim, scope and objectives of incident and
emergency plans
P4
Provide a framework for management, co-ordination and control,
including:


P5
procedures for enabling risk mitigation
procedures for determining whether an emergency has
occurred
 roles and responsibilities of responders
 procedures for alerting staff and activating response
arrangements
 provision of resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, finance)
 provision of robust information and communications
systems
 arrangements to warn, inform and advise the community
Present suggested amendments to plans and procedures in a clear,
concise manner to the appropriate person
P6
Ensure procedures are reviewed systematically, in line with current
risk assessments, lessons identified from incidents and exercises,
and any changes to legislation and guidance
P7
Devise and implement procedures where they do not exist
P8
Conduct regular drill as a means of assessing the effectiveness of
current procedures
P9
Obtain feedback from those involved in the drill process
P10
Maintain accurate and up to date training records for all staff
involved in emergencies or incidents
P11
Communicate all procedures, and any changes made to procedures
after review
P12
Present suggested amendments to plans and procedures in a clear,
concise manner to the appropriate person
You must
able to:
be Maintain the safety of human and environmental health
P1
Ensure everyone involved or affected by the incident or emergency
is given relevant information, including any information on
potential risks
P2
Maintain your own safety while dealing with incidents or
emergencies
P3
Take appropriate action to ensure that the area is reinstated as
safe, following an incident
P4
Select and implement appropriate working procedures in
accordance with associated risks
P5
Select, prepare, use and maintain tools and equipment that are
appropriate and required in order to work safely and effectively
P6
Wear PPE in accordance with organisational procedures, and
manufacturer’s instructions
P7
Take appropriate actions to minimise any further potential damage
to the environment, caused by the incident
P8
Take measures to protect and maintain the safety of the public
from the incident
You must
able to:
be Implement effective communication and appropriate use of data and
records
Use appropriate materials and substances to tackle pollution
P1
incidents, according to instructions and procedures
P2
Communicate the completion of your work accurately, and to the
appropriate person(s)
P3
Keep accurate records of each incident in accordance with current
legislation, and organisational policies & procedures
You must
able to:
be Understand and follow the regulations, procedures and requirements for
managing emergencies and incidents
Take the correct course of action, in accordance with procedures,
P1
to deal with the incident
P2
Assess and prepare the site of the incident in accordance with
relevant instructions, procedures, legislation and other needs
P3
Follow correct procedures after the situation has been assessed
P4
Complete all relevant documentation
P5
Ensure that the correct methods are used when gaining access to a
site
P6
Ensure procedures for maintaining good environmental practice are
used
P7
Ensure the correct methods for cleaning equipment are used to
remove pollutants and substances
P8
Ensure that the correct procedures for the disposal of waste and
consumables are in line with relevant legislation
Effectively Manage Incidents and Emergencies
Knowledge and understanding
You need to know and General
understand:
The procedures and specific instructions in place for the
K1
management of individual incidents and emergencies
K2
The importance of investigating the cause of incidents and
emergencies
K3
The importance of remaining calm in an emergency situation
K4
How weather and other conditions can impact on the incident
K5
K6
How to discuss the details of the incident in a clear, nonconfrontational and respectful manner with those involved
The resources required for each individual situation
K7
How to act promptly and in association with others, if
necessary
K8
How to ensure that all training needs of staff are up to date
K9
How to obtain feedback from a drill process
K10
How to identify hazards and assess risks
K11
The types of hazards that are associated with different
pollutants
K12
The types of PPE required for individual situations, and the
instructions for the use, care and maintenance of these items
K13
The correct use of PPE in accordance with procedures and
manufacturer’s guidelines
K14
The limitations of PPE items
K15
Preventative and protective measures which can be taken for
individual incidents and emergencies
K16
K17
The safe practices which should be used when dealing with
incidents and emergencies
The requirements for the completion of records
K18
The procedures for communicating and reporting information
on the incident
K19
K20
K21
K22
K23
K23
K24
K25
K26
The regulations, procedures and requirements for managing
emergencies and incidents
What constitutes an environmental “incident” or “emergency”
The organisational emergency procedures and their associated
health and safety requirements
How and when to review and monitor plans and resource
requirements for emergency operations
Record keeping and the types of data required for monitoring
purposes
The various systems required for the different types of
emergencies or incidents that may occur
The procedures in place for responding to incidents and
emergencies
The roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in
accidents and emergencies
the roles and responsibilities of public services that may be
involved when dealing with incidents and emergencies
K27
the importance of responding promptly to incidents and
emergencies
Effectively Manage Incidents and Emergencies
Additional information
Behaviours:
Glossary:
You must be able to:
 work alone and as part of a team when responding to, and
resolving, incidents and emergencies
 work in a manner which provides leadership during emergency
situations and incidents
 remain calm during emergency situations and incidents
 maintain effective communication during and after emergency
situations and incidents
Control(s)
The means by which the risks identified are eliminated or reduced to
acceptable levels.
Emergency
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate
action.
Hazard
a hazard is something with the potential to cause harm (this can include
articles, substances, plant or machines, methods of work, the working
environment and other aspects of work management)
Incident
An event or chain of events which has caused, or could have caused, injury,
illness and/or damage to assets, the environment or third parties.
Personal Protective Equipment
The protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment
designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards
addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals,
biohazards, and airborne particulate matter.
Procedures
A series of steps, instructions and/or decisions, a task. This includes the
documentation prepared by the employer about the procedures to be followed
for health, safety and welfare matters. Instructions covering, for example:
1. the use of safe working methods and equipment
2.
3.
4.
5.
the safe use of hazardous substances
smoking, eating, drinking and drugs
what to do in the event of an emergency
personal protective equipment use
Risk
A risk is the likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being realised. The
extent of the risk depends on:
1. the likelihood of that harm occurring;
2. the potential severity of that harm, i.e. of any resultant injury or
adverse health effect; and
3. the population which might be affected by the hazard, i.e. the number
of people who might be exposed.
Stakeholders
Any person(s) or group with an interest in an organisation, which may include,
employees (at any level), duty holders. employee representatives, contractors,
customers, community
Developed by
Version number
Date approved
Indicative review date
Validity
Status
Originating organisation
Relevant occupations
Suite
Key words
Julie Peer
v.1.
ICERMS Ltd.
Healthcare Waste Management