Most countries have their own regulations concerning these including the

assessment, staff instruction, recording and reporting duties of employers.

In effect, safe systems of work are also needed for these topics but because of their importance and to comply with the regulations, the information needs to be presented in a different format.

Accidents

Legislation sets out an employer's legal obligations for reporting accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Enforcing Authorities. In the UK this is covered by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). As defined in your policy statement, it is a key function of the safety manager to ensure that these obligations are fulfilled.

It is also important to compile your own accident and incident statistics and to review these periodically to determine what steps, if any, should be taken to prevent recurrence in the future. These reviews should also be coupled with health surveillance and be incorporated into risk assessments so that any control measures needed can be identified and given the necessary priority.

You should document and prominently display "The procedures to be followed in the event of an accident at work". The information should include:

• Accident reporting procedures to inform the safety manager and the enforcement authority and to record all accidents even minor ones, in the accident book.
• How to summon first aid assistance.
• The location of the first aid boxes.
• The telephone numbers of local doctors, hospitals and emergency services.

First aid

You may need to seek advice regarding what you are obliged to provide in terms of first aid facilities. Some authorities stipulate that there must be a qualified first aider on site (no matter how few people you employ) and there may be specific requirements concerning the number and location of first aid boxes, eye wash stations, signs, posters and rest room facilities.

Fire

You must obviously ensure that your fire precautions and procedures are adequate in terms of:

• Building construction.
• Access and egress.
• Emergency exits.
• Emergency lighting.
• Fire fighting appliances (sufficient, appropriate and maintained).
• Fire drills and alarm checks.
• Storage of flammable/combustible materials (gas cylinders, fuel oils, wood and paper waste).
• Identification of fire / explosion risk areas and instructions for isolating power, fuel, gas etc.
• Evacuation procedures and responsibility for roll calls.
• Employee training in procedures and general fire safety practices.

It is wise to obtain guidance from your Local Authority fire service on these matters. Once you have established appropriate facilities, systems and procedures you should document them and have the notice prominently displayed. As mentioned earlier, it is also useful to have a plan of your premises which clearly shows the sites of fire hazards (fuel stores etc.), fire extinguishers and escape routes.

Your fire procedures can also include details of the arrangements for evacuation or protection of the pigs but it must be made clear that personal safety must be the primary concern of all employees.

Emergencies

Similar procedures to those for accidents and fire are required for emergencies, to cover such events as gas leaks, explosions, pressure vessel rupture, building collapse and chemical leaks.