8.1 Emergency preparedness plan

The plan should provide operational procedures for:

  • responses to natural disasters, such as fires, floods, earthquakes or explosions
  • risk assessments associated with any new or revised procedure
  • managing exposures and decontamination
  • emergency evacuation of people from the premises
  • emergency medical treatment of exposed and injured persons
  • medical surveillance of persons exposed to an incident
  • clinical management of persons exposed to an incident
  • epidemiological investigation
  • continuing operations after an incident.

In developing this plan the following items should be considered for inclusion:

1. location of high-risk areas, such as laboratories and storage areas

2. identification of at-risk personnel and populations

3. identification of procedures according to the level of risk

4. identification of responsible personnel and their duties, such as the biosafety officer, safety personnel, local health authority, clinicians, microbiologists, veterinarians, epidemiologists, fire services and police services

5. treatment and follow-up facilities that can receive exposed or infected persons

6. transport for exposed or infected persons

7. how emergency equipment will be provided, such as protective clothing, disinfectants, chemical and biological spill kits, decontamination equipment and supplies.

Book navigation