IOSH Emergency Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of emergency procedures?
- To comply with insurance requirements
- To protect people from harm, minimise damage, and ensure a coordinated, effective response when an emergency occurs (Correct answer)
- To provide information for the annual safety report
- To demonstrate safety competence during audits
Correct answer: To protect people from harm, minimise damage, and ensure a coordinated, effective response when an emergency occurs
Emergency procedures exist to protect people from harm, minimise damage to property and the environment, and ensure that when an emergency occurs, the response is coordinated, effective and well-practised. They cover what to do, who does it, and how to communicate.
Question 2: What key elements should a fire evacuation procedure include?
- Only the location of fire exits
- How the alarm is raised, evacuation routes, assembly points, roll call procedures, duties of fire wardens, and arrangements for visitors and disabled persons (Correct answer)
- Only instructions to call 999
- Only the location of fire extinguishers
Correct answer: How the alarm is raised, evacuation routes, assembly points, roll call procedures, duties of fire wardens, and arrangements for visitors and disabled persons
A fire evacuation procedure should include: how to raise the alarm, immediate actions on hearing the alarm, evacuation routes, alternative routes if primary is blocked, assembly point locations, roll call procedures, fire warden duties, arrangements for visitors, and personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for disabled persons.
Question 3: What is a 'Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan' (PEEP)?
- A general evacuation plan for all employees
- A tailored plan for a specific individual who may need assistance to evacuate safely, such as someone with a mobility impairment (Correct answer)
- A plan for the CEO's personal safety
- A plan that is only required in hospitals
Correct answer: A tailored plan for a specific individual who may need assistance to evacuate safely, such as someone with a mobility impairment
A PEEP is a bespoke emergency evacuation plan developed for an individual who may have difficulty evacuating independently — due to mobility impairment, visual/hearing impairment, pregnancy, or other condition. It identifies the specific assistance needed, who will provide it, and the evacuation route to be used.
Question 4: How often should fire drills be conducted?
- Only when the fire alarm is due for testing
- At least annually, and more frequently in higher-risk premises or where there is a high turnover of staff (Correct answer)
- Every five years
- Only after a fire incident
Correct answer: At least annually, and more frequently in higher-risk premises or where there is a high turnover of staff
Fire drills should be conducted at regular intervals — at least annually for most workplaces, and more frequently in higher-risk premises (e.g., schools, care homes), premises with many visitors, or where there is high staff turnover. Records of drills should be kept.
Question 5: What are the main types of fire extinguisher and their uses?
- All fire extinguishers are the same and can be used on any fire
- Water (solids), foam (liquids/solids), CO2 (electrical/liquids), dry powder (multi-purpose), and wet chemical (cooking oils) (Correct answer)
- There is only one type of fire extinguisher
- Fire extinguishers should never be used by untrained staff
Correct answer: Water (solids), foam (liquids/solids), CO2 (electrical/liquids), dry powder (multi-purpose), and wet chemical (cooking oils)
UK fire extinguisher types: Water (red label) — for Class A (solid materials); Foam (cream) — for Class A and B (liquids); CO2 (black) — for electrical fires and Class B; Dry powder (blue) — multi-purpose; Wet chemical (yellow) — for Class F (cooking oil/fat fires).
Question 6: What is the minimum first aid provision an employer must provide?
- A fully equipped first aid room in all workplaces
- A suitably stocked first aid box and an appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements (Correct answer)
- Only a list of local hospitals
- Only a telephone for calling emergency services
Correct answer: A suitably stocked first aid box and an appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements
As a minimum, all workplaces must have: a suitably stocked first aid box, and an 'appointed person' to take charge of first aid arrangements and call emergency services when needed. Higher-risk workplaces or larger workforces will need qualified first aiders and more comprehensive provisions.
IOSH Emergency Procedures 1
What is the primary purpose of emergency procedures?