Fire and Emergency Facts
Procedures and plans to ensure the safe occupancy of every workplace must be developed and implemented in accordance with the Canada OHS Regulations (COHSR).
Emergency Evacuation Plans
Emergency evacuation plans are required when more than 50 employees are working in a building at any time. Evacuation plans must be prepared, posted and implemented in accordance with section 17.4 of the COHSR .
Emergency Wardens
Emergency wardens and monitors are required for buildings with emergency evacuation plans. Wardens and monitors must be appointed in accordance with section 17.7 of the COHSR and be instructed and trained in their respective duties.
Inspections
Buildings with evacuation plans must be inspected by a qualified person a least once every six months, in accordance with section 17.9 of the COHSR. Fire escapes, exits, stairways and fire protection equipment in the building must be inspected in order to ensure that they are in serviceable condition and ready for use at all times. A written record of each inspection must be retained for two years.
Meetings of Emergency Wardens and Drills
Evacuation or emergency drills must be conducted at least once every year and after any change is made to the evacuation plan for that building. A record of each drill must be kept in accordance with section 17.10 (2), (3) of the COHSR.
Emergency wardens and monitors must meet at least once every year, and after any change is made to the evacuation plan for that building, to ensure they are familiar with their respective duties under the evacuation plan and emergency procedures. The learning activity must be tracked and recorded, using the learning code provided.
Emergency Procedures
Each workplace must have emergency procedures in place to be implemented:
- if a person commits or threatens to commit an act that is likely hazardous to others;
- in the event of an accumulation, spill or leak of a hazardous substance;
- if an evacuation plan is in place, but evacuation is not appropriate;
- in the event of a power failure; and
- in the event of a fire.
Procedures must be prepared, posted and implemented in accordance with section 17.5 of the COHSR.
Training
All employees must be instructed and trained in the emergency procedures and the location and use of fire protection equipment within their respective workplace. The learning activity must be tracked and recorded, using the learning code provided.