There are many situations that can occur in any industry. These situations can mostly be categorised as an:

• incident

• accident

• emergency

ACTIVITY

Watch the video (right) to find out the difference between these terms and then write a definition for each term in your own words in a Google Doc.

Common risks in the industry

• Slips, falls, and trips

• Motor vehicle crashes

• Repetitive motions

• Impact by an object

• Malfunctioning or defective safety equipment

• Overexertion

• Bending and lifting heavy objects

• Toxic exposure

• Falling from elevated heights

Common injuries in the industry:

• Spinal cord injuries or amputations from stunts ending in tragedy

• Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive bending and lifting, particularly among hospitality and hotel workers

• Electrical burns or shocks resulting from downed power lines or exposure to electrical cords and equipment on-set

• Vision or hearing loss from loud noises

• Slip and fall injuries

• Water related injuries, including near-drowning incidents that cause oxygen deprivation

• Skin reactions, particularly among workers in contact with hazardous materials and chemicals

• Serious injuries sustained by unruly and violent audiences

First aid is the immediate treatment or care given to a person suffering from an injury or illness until more advanced care is provided or the person recovers. Only people who have received first aid training, and are currently certified (or qualified) to provide occupational first aid can actually give first aid.  

The PCBU has a legal obligation to provide first aid equipment and a trained first aider at your workplace.  

You should not provide first aid unless you are qualified and certified to do so. 

If you come across an incident where first aid is required, 

• assess the situation for danger immediately

• notify the trained first aider using the site procedure

• assist them as required.

You will learn more about this when you complete your First Aid Certificate

If you are around when an incident occurs you will need to identify whether it is a situation where you can employ first aid (basic if you have no training or more advanced if you have training) or whether it is an 'emergency' in which case professional support, such as an ambulance, may be needed. 

First aid scenarios may include such things as small cuts or grazes, twisted ankles or small weather related injuries such as sunburn or overheating. Emergencies would include major falls, severe burns, electric shock and being rendered unconscious. Again if in doubt, ring an ambulance. 

An emergency plan is a written set of instructions that outlines what workers or others should do in the case of an emergency. An emergency plan must provide the following: procedures including how to respond in an emergency, evacuation procedures, notifying emergency services, medical treatment, effective communication to appropriate people. 

Having an Emergency Action Plan is a crucial step to ensuring that workers know what to do in an emergency and can remain calm.

Watch the video '6 Steps to Developing an Emergency Action Plan' to explore the processes required in preparing for the response to a workplace emergency.

The first way to reduce workplace accidents is to put measures in to place to prevent them from occuring. This may include risk assessments to ensure what you are doing is being done in a safe way and having safe work practices and procedures to ensure that everbody knows how to engage with the job in a safe manner.

Having these prevention methods are great but it doesn't guarentee that accidents won't occur so secondly, we need to have policies and emergency plans in place for when these things do happen. This could include emergency plans and emergency drills so that workers have practiced safe responses before an event occurs. 

After accidents and emergencies it is essential to assess what happened and adjust procudres if necessary to help reduce the chance of it happening again.

In the majority of emergencies you will need to seek assistance whether that is a first aid offer within your workplace or external emergency services such as police, ambulance or fire service. Another external services you may require is the Poisons Information Centre in cases where you have been exposed to hazardous chemicals. Your local GP or Emergency Department at the hospital could offer assistance as well. n any emergency you should notify the appropriate people at you workplace and record the incident on the appropriate incident report form.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Police, Ambulance and Fire: 000

Poisons Information Centre: 131126

May sure that you have the number of your local GP and Emergency department in a prominant place in the workplace.

Exit signs need to be clearly visible to the occupants of a building and illuminated at all times. They will be installed directly above exit doors, at the top of staircases and at any change of direction along the way to directing people along the escape route to a final exit or evacuation point. 

Emergency lights are installed at regular intervals around a building to illuminate the egress paths out of the building. The type of light, building shape and ceiling height will determine where they are required to be installed.  

Automated fire alarm (AFA) systems are a crucial component in fire detection for buildings and are designed to alert occupants and initiate quick responses by FRNSW in the case of fires. AFA systems are required under building legislation, as prescribed by the National Construction Code, and are administered by Local Government Authorities. These alarms usually cooincide with an audible signal that sounds in the building, signalling for all people to evacuate to the pre-arranged evacuation point.

NSW legislation stipulates that smoke alarms must be installed on every level of your home. This includes owner occupied homes, rental properties, relocatable homes, caravans and camper-vans or any other residential building where people sleep. 

Evacuations are an important procedure in responding to an emergeny. Have emergency drills help workers to be prepared when an emergency arises and reduces the risk of them panicking and creating higher risk of secondary emergencies. 

You workplace may conduct emergency drills in fire emergencies, hazardous chemicals, lockdowns and more. 

Watch the video (left) to learn more about lockdowns and evacuation drills.

In pairs, look at the website (left) which outlines the different roles involved in emergency control in an organisation. Create a Google Doc that list these roles and a brief description of their job in an emergency situation.

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) at a workplace must ensure the workplace is provided with fire protection and firefighting equipment. 

If you see fire or smoke, remain calm - remember RACE 

1. Rescue any people in immediate danger if it safe to do so.

2. Raise the Alarm.

3. Close all doors and windows to Contain the fire (only if it safe to do so).

4. Try to Extinguish the fire using appropriate firefighting equipment only if you are trained and it is safe to do so.

After carrying out RACE follow the instructions of your workplace emergency plans.

Have a look at the worksheet (left) to learn about some of the basic fire safety equipment. At this poitn you will go on a trip around the school to have a look at the fire safety equipment and the mains at the front of the school. As you are going around, discuss which type of equipment it is and what types of fires would be typical in the industry the would use each type of equipment.

The Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017 is an example of a recent entertainment industry emergency. Watch the news report and have a look at the newspaper article (both left) to find out more about this incident.

Discuss as a class what emercency action would have been needed during this emergency.

Complete the worksheet (right), showing your understanding of how to respond in an emercency.

Watch the video 'WHS in major events' from Safe Work Australia' as an insight into the safety measures taken by the national organisation to ensure that all major events are fun, exciting and safe.

Recording and reporting is an essential part of ensuring the safety of workers. In the case of emergencies, reporting is improtant to ensure that assistance is delivered quickly and that people recieve the right help in a timely manner.

Recording the incident on the appropriate incident report form will ensure a record is kept but also allows for the incident to be examined and decision can be made as to whether procedures and policies need to be updated to reduce the risk of this emergency happening again.

Complete the section on 'Responding to Emergencies' in your workbook (pages 91-107).