Why safety starts with behaviour

For QHSE managers, the company emergency plan is a powerful tool to make safety concrete, lively and testable. Not as a static document in a folder, but as a living script that actively involves, trains and connects people.
Emergency plan is carried in the organization
A company emergency plan is only effective if it is carried in the organization. Safety is not in procedures alone, but in attitude and behavior. The following elements are crucial to making a company emergency plan a culture carrier:
- Clear communication: Explain not only the company emergency plan, but also the underlying risks and the importance of everyone's role in it.
- Practical instructions: Make sure everyone involved knows exactly what steps to take in the event of an incident.
- Responsible use of resources: Whether it's a fire extinguisher, breathing air or evacuation plan - everyone must be able to act safely and correctly.
- Maintenance and checks: Equipment and facilities must always be in top condition; a failure in an emergency is unacceptable.
- Shared responsibility: Safety is not just a task of the or prevention officer - it is a collective effort.

The company emergency plan: not a paper tiger, but a life-saving compass
An effective company emergency plan encompasses much more than fire instructions. It is a dynamic document that responds to different scenarios and provides:
- Thorough risk analysis: What hazards are real at your location? Think of chemical incidents, power outages, extreme weather conditions or violence in the workplace.
- Concretely developed scenarios: What happens step by step in an evacuation? Who takes charge? How will communication take place?
- Clear division of labor: Every second counts. In a good emergency structure, everyone knows immediately what his or her responsibility is.
- Coordination with external emergency services: Involve fire, police and ambulance in your preparations. A joint exercise makes the response many times more effective.
- Practice, train, adjust: Practice at least annually is crucial. And evaluate after each exercise: what went well, what can be improved?

Five steps to a safety culture that works
A good company emergency plan fits seamlessly with broader safety goals. Here's how to build a solid safety structure in five steps:
1.    Legal compliance: Make sure you comply with health and safety laws, FAFS obligations and specific industry requirements.
2.    Understanding risks: Conduct an up-to-date RI&E and use the insights to fuel your emergency plan.
3.    Continuous learning: Organize regular FAFS training, evacuation drills and safety meetings.
4.    Active involvement: Let employees think and participate. This increases ownership and awareness.
5.    Evaluate and improve: Let the emergency plan live. Adjust it as processes, personnel or location changes.

Building a safety culture that works together
Whether you're just starting out with a company emergency plan or want to revamp an existing plan: it's the opportunity to make safety tangible and experienceable within your organization. A plan on paper is not enough. By practicing, communicating and optimizing, safety becomes a shared responsibility - and thus a natural part of the work culture.
Do you want your company emergency plan to fit into a strong safety culture? We are happy to support you with advice and training, using creative safety communication.

Wilgh draws up the company emergency plan based on the NEN8112. The standard deals with the company emergency organization (BNO) of companies/organizations. The BNO must be tailored to the risks present within the company and is one of the three pillars of (fire) safety. 

Safety starts with awareness. And a good company emergency plan makes that awareness concrete.