The following workplaces are required to submit an Emergency Plan and Emergency Services Information Package (ESIP):
- Workplaces with Manifest Quantities of Hazardous Chemicals as detailed in Schedule 11 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012(external site) (i.e. sites required to inform SafeWork SA of notifiable quantities of Hazardous Chemicals stored or handled on site)
- Major Hazard Facilities (MHFs) and Potential Major Hazard Facilities as defined in Schedule 15 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012(external site).
Where a workplace meets the above criteria, it is the responsibility of the person conducting business or undertaking at the workplace to ensure that an Emergency Plan is prepared for the workplace and meets the requirements under Division 4 of Chapter 3 Part 2 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012.
An Emergency Services Information Package (ESIP) is required to be developed in conjunction with the Emergency Plan.
The Emergency Services Information Package (ESIP) is a removable inclusion at the front of or separate to the Emergency Plan, containing concise and relevant information to allow the Fire Service to implement effective strategies and tactics to manage a fire or other emergency incident.
The ESIP ensures the fire service has immediate access to critical site information during an incident.
A laminated copy of your ESIP must be located with the emergency plan, accessible to the Fire Service 24/7. The Fire Service will also retain a digital copy of the ESIP.
Using the ‘Guideline to the Emergency Services Information Package (ESIP)’, including the checklist on Page 7, will assist in ensuring the ESIP meets the requirements of the Fire Service and reduces the time required for review.
Important: Workplaces are responsible for ensuring any changes made to the ESIP are also reflected in the Emergency Plan, and vice versa.
Where the workplace is small and simple in nature, it may be appropriate that the Emergency Plan and ESIP are the same document.
Emergency Services Information Package (ESIP) Template
Guideline to the Emergency Services Information Package (ESIP)(PDF)
To lodge your emergency plan and ESIP complete all required fields and attach associated documents via the online submission portal Emergency Plan Submissions for Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
Once submitted, an automatic acknowledgement of receipt is issued via email. If you do not receive this, please email mfs.emergencyplans@eso.sa.gov.au
The Emergency Plan is reviewed by Safework SA Safework SA - Emergency Plans
The Fire Service will only review the ESIP as this is crucial to fire and emergency response and planning.
Standard review of ESIPs, including minor updates such as changes to emergency contacts, is free of charge.
Extensive reviews, such as those that do not meet ESIP requirements or require major modifications may incur fees.
Charges are calculated based on time spent with a minimum one hour-fee applied. The prescribed hourly fee is set out in the South Australian Government Gazette annually.
The local Fire Service may attend workplaces for pre-incident planning purposes but do not need to be invited nor attend exercises conducted to test the workplaces’ Emergency Plan.
If a workplace wishes to test the integration of the Fire Service response into their workplace Emergency Plan, they must engage the relevant Fire Service to facilitate this. Invitations for participation of the Fire Service in exercises can be sent to: mfs.emergencymanagement@eso.sa.gov.au
Q: What will the Fire Service do when they receive your plan?
A: The Fire Service will review only the ESIP as this contributes to operational outcomes.
If the Fire Service provides the workplace with a written recommendation about the content or effectiveness of the ESIP, the workplace must revise the ESIP in accordance with the recommendation.
The Emergency Plan and ESIP will then be forwarded to the local fire service depending on the area the business is located in. The receipt of a facility’s Emergency Plan and ESIP may initiate a familiarisation visit by local fire crews to enable them to undertake a site-specific familiarisation.
The information you include in your Emergency Plan and ESIP will enable responding crews to formulate appropriate initial actions on arrival at an incident.
Q: Will my draft Emergency Plan be reviewed by the MFS and/or CFS?
A: As there are an estimated 5,000 notifiable sites throughout South Australia it is not anticipated that the Fire Service will be able to review every ESIP submitted.
ESIPs that are reviewed will be prioritised according to the quantity and nature of the dangerous goods stored/processed on site.
Q: Circumstances at my facility have changed, a new on-site risk has arisen that is not currently addressed by the existing Emergency Plan and ESIP, do I need to revise or amend my Emergency Plan and ESIP?
A: Yes, Regulation 43 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2012 requires your Emergency Plan and ESIP to be revised if there is a change in circumstances at your premises.
Q: What should a business do about storing the manifest (Emergency Plan and ESIP) so it is accessible to emergency services?
A: It is a requirement as stated in the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 Section 347 (3) for the person (as defined in the Act) to keep the manifest:
- In a place determined in agreement with the primary emergency service
- Available for inspection under the Act
- Readily accessible to the emergency services organisation.
A copy of the Emergency Plan and ESIP is to be kept easily accessible to the Fire Service at all times.
The following are acceptable locations for the manifest:
- At the hydrant booster assembly, if fitted
- At the main site entrance adjacent to the outer warning placard
- Inside the security gatehouse or similar if staffed 24 hours 7 days
- At alternative vehicular entrances adjacent to the outer warning placard (where provided).
The Emergency Plan and ESIP should be provided within a prominently labelled weather proofed container (e.g. a lock box), secured with a fire service 003 lock if unauthorised access needs to be prevented.
The container should be:
- Easily identifiable
- Coloured red
- Prominently labelled with white "Emergency Information" and "HAZMAT" lettering (minimum 40mm height), across the front of the container.
Inside an office or building is not an acceptable location due to the inability to access these documents easily in an incident.
Note: At sites where there may be security concerns regarding the provision of plans in a locked container on site (e.g. schools etc), applications can be made for alternative locations or means to provide responding emergency services with copies.
