Safety leadership and emergency plans

December 2014 will forever be remembered by the tragic events that unfolded in Martin Place. Two innocent lives were lost, and a city came together in mourning and solidarity.

The Sydney Siege underlined the importance of taking appropriate steps to protect the community at large. It also highlighted the need for organisations to have a clear emergency plan and to think about implementing appropriate security measures.

Health and safety legislation imposes a duty on entities undertaking work to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their workers and other persons. It also requires workplaces to prepare and implement an emergency plan, and ensure that all workers receive appropriate information, training and instruction.