Risk assessment – Emergency management

References: National Regulations-Part 7 Division 4. National Quality Standards 2.2.2

This table lists the identified hazards and threats to our early childhood service, assessment of the risks associated with those hazards and how we reduce their impact.
*Please note that under regulation 168(2)(e) of the National Regulations, services operating under the NQF must have emergency procedures that are based on a risk assessment that is conducted to
identify potential emergencies that are relevant to the service.

5. Treatments to be 6. Revised Risk Rating

1. Identified 2. Description of Risk 3. Current Risk Control Implemented After implementing
Hazard or Measures Implemented 4. Risk Rating Treatments
Measures to be taken by our service
Threat at our Service to eliminate or reduce impact of the
risk

Consequence Likelihood Risk Level Consequence Likelihood Risk Level

Bush Fire • Weekly check of Safety equipment Severe Possible High During an elevated fire danger period Severe Unlikely medium
ensure a heightened state of
• Large Bushfire or Grass fire rapidly during bushfire season.
readiness. As appropriate. This will
spreading from surrounding areas. • Liaison with local fire services include
regarding clearing of trees, (Staff to follow g8 emergency
building safety prior to start of the evacuation policy)
Probable Consequences Bush fire season. • Consult with local/district CFA
• Fatality and/or Permanent disability • Check CFA website alerts during the
to obtain advice on current
from burns. bush fire season. bushfire conditions that could
• Serious injury from smoke Inhalation. • A business continuity plan is in place. impact the facility.
• Stress or psychological injury • Ensure lines of communication
• Conduct evacuation
requiring extensive clinical support with relevant emergency
for multiple individuals • Working Bees and company services are available.
maintenance schedules to clean • A staff member will regularly
up and clear site monitor CFA and Bureau of
• Risk Assessment is reviewed and meteorology websites, listen
communicated with staff to ABC local radio and check
• Staff and parents are aware of plan vic roads Closures.
and understand their role within in
• Consider closing the service
it. when fire conditions pose a
• Seek advice from the approved threat to the community.
provider/licensee, person with
• Consider closing centre on
management control/Licensee days when safe travel to and
representative. from the centre by staff and
families is compromised.
• Convene the IMT and consider
other actions and confirm
state of readiness.
• Advance communication with
families when warnings in
place regarding attendance
and or centre closure
Intruder • Visitors must report to service Major Possible High • Staff will also follow G8 policy Moderate Possible Medium
Unknown/known person entering the managers/reception and sign and procedure when dealing
facility and demonstrating threating in using visitors register. with armed intrusion.
behaviour due to: • Staff are present at the entrance • Staff will share appropriate
• Police operation/siege, pursuit to welcome people entering information in regards to
of an offender. the building parent issues
• Drug affected or mentally • Lockdown/lockout/evacuation • The service will develop a
unstable person. procedures are regularly process and pre-determined
• Armed intruder practiced. actions to discretely alert
• Procedures for responding to others of an intruder.
• Custodial/parent dispute, • Centre Manager/Administration
intruder incident are readily
• Holdup - cash accessible to staff in case of will be guided in managing
emergency. intruders on the facility’s
• Educators carry phone handset. grounds.
Probable Consequences;
• Values of mutual respect and • Where staff feel the need for
support in arranged
• Physical and /or psychology acceptable parent behaviour
meetings with parents
policy are communicated and
harm to staff and/or children regularly reinforced e.g at • Two staff will be present
parent forums, information • Staff will use a signal to obtain
night and newsletters.
support from another staff
• Encouraging engagement of member.
parents in the services • An appropriate room will be
activities.
selected for meetings where
• In relation to court orders and possible e.g one with two
custody papers: exit points.
• The service maintains a register • Where necessary, the service
of current documents will seek legal advice
• Parents are advised of the regarding obtaining a
trespass order for parents
services relevant processes
who use threating behaviour.
and duty of care to the other
children and staff. • If there is an escalation of
• Cashless payment systems intruder incidents. The
service will consider
• Signage indicating cashless • Liaising with local police to
payment system
arrange a prompt response
• Keypad entry to any call assistance.
• Installing distress buttons in
reception area and meeting
rooms.
• Seek advice from police,
auspice body/service
management and in
exceptional circumstances,
advice on engaging a
security guard on an ad hoc
basis.

FIRE Fire services equipment (fire hose reels, Severe Rare medium
fire extinguishers, fire blankets,
A building fire resulting from:
hydrants) is tested and tagged as per
• Stored chemicals such as Australian standards.
cleaning fluids.

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 • Kitchen fire • A fire blanket (tested and tagged
• Faulty electrical wiring. to Australian standards) is
available in kitchen area.
• Faulty electrical equipment. • All electrical equipment is tested
and tagged as per Australian
Probable Consequences standards and that leads are
free from damage If
equipment or leads are
• Risk of injury from burns or damaged ensure appropriate
smoke inhalation disposal.
• A business continuity plan is in
place.
• Evacuation procedures are
practised each term.

BOMB THREAT Probable cause severe rare low

• Terrorism • Staff will follow safety check

procedures prior to opening
• Hoax or prank the centre
• Staff are encouraged to read
emergency evacuation and
lockdown procedures
Probable consequences
• Staff to take notice of any
suspicious activity and
• Risk of injury or harm communicate with the person
in charge

Severe weather Probable cause • Regular Scheduled Major Unlikely Medium

event
maintenance to roof, gutters
A severe weather event could result and drains to keep clear.
from: • Liaison with SES/local
• electrical storm causing fire government to identify
• High winds causing roof to potential local risks.
collapse. Limbs to fall from • Contingency for storage of
trees and airborne debris equipment/materials if
shattering windows. necessary.
• Rain inundation resulting in • On the basis of weather
unsafe electrical wiring/loss of forecast, secure loose objects
power communications. in open areas e.g. play
Probable Consequences equipment and garbage bins
• Communication tested
Risk of Injury and Death • Utility shut off instructions/points
are known
• Back up communications and
contact lists maintained in
case power fails.
• Condition of large trees are
regularly checked
• Shade sail structures are
regularly checked.
• A business continuity plan is in
place.

Flood Probable cause • Flood plan covering actions major unlikely medium
needing to be undertaken
• Centre flooding due to natural when a flood is likely, during
a flood and after a flood
occurrence
• Centre flooding due to pipe • Prepare emergency kit
consisting of a torch with
blockage/drain blockage spare battery, first aid kit and
bursting- other than natural manual, waterproof bags,
occurrence
emergency contact numbers,
gloves, cleaning products
• Inform staff, parents and visitors
of flood risk
Pandemic • Basic hygiene measures are in Major Unlikely Medium
Probable Cause place and posters are
Identify the key cause: e.g : displayed at the beginning of
• Strain of influenza virus for the flu season (April)
which there is no vaccine • There is convenient access to
available water and the liquid soap and
Probable Cause Identify the key alcohol based sanitiser in
consequences bathrooms.
• Risk to health and/or death in • Staff and children are educated
serve case on prevention of spreading
germs.
• Policies on illness and
attendance are
communicated to parents.
• Implement Human Influenza
incident Pandemic response
procedures as required.
• Children displaying signs of
illness are separated from
other children until collected
by parents.

Hazardous Probable Cause • Implemented safe work Severe Rare Medium • No hazardous substances to be Severe Rare medium
substance release
procedures for handling stored on centre premise
(inside and outside
• Fire or leak at nearby factory or chemicals.
service)
house • Schedule any practice
• Road accident involving a emergency evacuation drills
on a regular basis.
vehicle transporting Obtained Material safety data
hazardous material. sheets (MSDS) for all
• Leaking fuel storage at facility. dangerous goods and
Hazardous substances on-
site from supplier or
Probable consequences: manufacturer.

Risk of illness or Death

Electrical hazard Probable cause • Ensure testing of electrical severe rare medium

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 equipment is current
• Electrocution from faulty • Encourage reporting of all
electrical faults
electrical wiring or equipment,
frayed chords, bad • electrical safety as part of OHS
connections, overload of risk assessments and risk
power or other electrical fault management programs
• Use of high risk electrical • Encourage general safety
equipment such as handheld precautions
equipment
Evacuation Children alarmed by evacuation bells • Planned rehearsals each month so
children are aware of the process
and the sound of the alarm
• Education of children and modelling
on how to respond in a safe way
• Close supervision
• Comforting children
Children do not respond and move to • Planned rehearsals each month so
the area for evacuation
children are aware of the process
and the sound of the alarm
• Education of children and modelling
on how to respond in a safe way
• Close supervision
• Comforting children
Injury occurs during evacuation • Planned rehearsals each month so
children are aware of the process
and the sound of the alarm
• Education of children and modelling
on how to respond in a safe way
• Close supervision
• First aid offered (staff hold required
first aid qualifications)
• Emergency evacuation packs have
stocked first aid kits

Relief staff unaware of procedures • Signs on all exit points to ensure

instructions are easily identifiable
• Thorough orientation and induction
process to include emergency
evacuations
• Emergency evacuation bags contain
instructions
• Follow the directions of permanent
staff
Visitors & volunteers do not know how • Signs on all exit points to ensure
to respond
instructions are easily identifiable
• Visitors and volunteers sign in in
visitor book
• Visitors and volunteers are directed
to read the emergency evacuation
procedures
• Visitors and volunteers are required
to follow the code of conduct and
take directions from centre staff
Inclement weather when evacuation • Evacuation procedures continues
takes place
and proceeds in line with
procedures
• When given the all clear, children are
changed into dry clothes
• Families notified of children being
exposed to a degree of inclement
weather. Families can elect to
collect their child early if they
prefer
• Evacuation assembly areas to be
assessed for suitability in times of
inclement weather
• Emergency evacuation bags contain
items suitable for inclement
weather – eg water, sunscreen
Emergency encroaches on planned • Evacuation procedures have been
evacuation route
reviewed by emergency
services/approved evacuation
specialists
• If route is blocked, exit via the safest
way and continue to the assembly
point
• Daily visual inspections to be
undertaken to ensure evacuation
routes remain clear from clutter
Children with medical conditions • Location of medication is easily
identifiable and accessible in
emergency evacuations
• Medical condition forms are easily
accessible in emergency
evacuation
Children with special needs • Individual evacuation plans to be
developed for children requiring
specific needs depending on
mobility and confidence in
negotiating multiple stairs
• All staff to be aware of the individual
plans and requirements under the
plans
• Regular review of plans
Hazards – Designated evacuation routes blocked • Daily checks of stairwells
Evacuation with hazards
Routes • Exit doors free from hazards
• Exit doors in working order
Equipment Evacuation equipment broken/in poor • Regular checks completed of
condition/ not fully stocked
equipment used in evacuations –

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 evacuation bags, evacuation
ropes, emergency evacuation cots,
infant transport slings

Assembly Location of assembly point is in a high • Planned rehearsals each month so

evacuation point traffic area
1 No protection from weather elements children are aware of the process
High accessibility with public • Education of children and modelling
Children can become separated from on how to respond in a safe way
group • Active supervision
• Emergency evacuation kits to be
stocked to manage weather
conditions
• Roll marking/ Child: Educator
allocation during various times of
the evacuation
nd
Assembly Location of 2 assembly evacuation • Staff to take guidance from
evacuation point point is not known to staff
2 emergency services on which
Location of assembly point is in a high evacuation point is being accessed
traffic area
No protection from weather elements • Planned rehearsals each month so
High accessibility with public children are aware of the process
Children can become separated from • Education of children and modelling
group on how to respond in a safe way
• Active supervision
• Emergency evacuation kits to be
stocked to manage weather
conditions
Roll marking/Child Educator allocation
completed during various times of the
evacuation
Fire – additional Centre serves hot food or food that • Only foods that require no cooking or
information needs cooking
use of electrical appliances are to
be prepared
• Educators undertake fire training and
are confident in the use of fire
equipment – only if safe to use
Other Risk to Tripping over children • Provide further training with
staff during Rushing
evacuation educators to ensure they are
spatially aware of their
surroundings
• Regular practicing of drills to ensure
all staff are familiar with
procedures
Other Risk to Tripping over children • Visitors and volunteers are directed
visitors during Rushing
evacuation Not listening/following instructions to read the emergency evacuation
procedures
• Visitors and volunteers are required
to follow the code of conduct and
take directions from centre staff
Emergency Evacuation On-Site Evaluation

Emergency Evacuation Primary Off-Site Evaluation

Emergency Evacuation Secondary Off-Site Evaluation

Emergency response drills

Target Date Observer’s

& Record
Type of Drill Person Responsible Completed*
Date Drill
Performed ü

January

February

March

April

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 May

June

July

August

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

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