In the life of every organization, regardless of its type and size, emergencies and accidents occur. In such moments, proper preparation and reaction are crucial. One of the important elements of ensuring safety and effective coordination of actions in the event of accidents is the post-accident team.

The post-accident team is a group of people responsible for coordinating actions in emergency situations, accidents or other urgent events. Its aim is to ensure a quick and effective response in the event of a threat to the health or life of employees, residents or customers of the organization.

It is also worth noting that the post-accident team was established to investigate the circumstances and causes of the accident at work.

The accident recovery team must follow occupational health and safety mandates. This document is also helpful in defining the tasks of the post-accident team. The most important functions of these employees include:

• Crisis management – ​​coordinating actions in response to an emergency and ensuring that safety procedures are followed.
• Assistance to the injured – providing first aid to the injured and organizing evacuation, if necessary.
• Communication and information – informing employees, residents and customers about the threat and safety measures.
• Cooperation with rescue services – if the situation requires it, the team should cooperate with public services, such as the fire brigade or police.
• Maintaining equipment and tools in good technical condition – this especially applies to devices necessary for action in emergency situations, such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, etc. In addition, the post-accident team is obliged to check the technical condition of machines.
• Documentation – creating post-accident protocols and reports that will be the basis for analyzing the situation and possible corrections in safety procedures. The team is also working to determine the causes of the accident, it must inspect the accident site and the consequences of the accident.

The post-accident team should be convened in the event of an emergency situation, such as a fire, explosion, earthquake, industrial accident or other events that may threaten the life and health of people in the building or on the organization’s premises.

The composition of the post-accident team should be carefully selected, taking into account the specificity of the organization and the type of threat. It is crucial that the people on the team have appropriate safety qualifications and experience and are well trained in emergency procedures.

It should also be emphasized that the exact composition of the post-accident team should be selected as if there were no occupational health and safety services in the workplace at all. This may include, among others: specialist from outside the workplace, employee after completing occupational health and safety training, etc.

It is also worth noting that the employer is obliged to appoint a post-accident team. This is indicated by current regulations, among others: Regulation of the Council of Ministers of July 1, 2009 on determining the circumstances and causes of accidents at work.

The lack of a post-accident team may lead to a chaotic response to emergency situations, which increases the risk of human and material losses. Therefore, it is important for every organization, regardless of its size, to have a properly prepared post-accident team and emergency procedures that will enable an effective response in the event of a threat. However, if such a team does not exist, it is necessary to establish it as soon as possible and develop emergency plans and procedures. It is also worth training employees or residents on what to do in the event of an emergency. Safety should always be a priority, and a properly functioning post-accident team can significantly contribute to minimizing the risk and ensuring the protection of people’s lives and health.

Source:https://www.bhp-center.com.pl/zespol-powypadkowy-powolanie-sklad-zadania/

Supported by Norway through Norway Grants 2014-2021, in the frame of the Programme “Social Dialogue – Decent Work”.