How To: Select team members for your warden structure

Are you leveraging your warden structure as an opportunity for employee development and team building?

When you run a small business, you don’t necessarily have a safety or compliance manager who naturally fits the role of a Chief Warden. In fact, there might only be five employees. We get it. Every business is unique, so your emergency response plan needs to be fit for purpose too.

If you are the owner or manager of a small business, chances are you’ve considered how to manage your emergency response planning. Perhaps you’ve outsourced it to a trusted advisor (we can help with that!), or perhaps you have a team member who’s particularly passionate about OHS. Whatever your circumstances here are just a few guiding principles to help you leverage your team members to create an effective emergency response team.

You need to have a plan and a warden structure in place.

State and Federal legislation clearly outlines that any business must have in place emergency and evacuation plans for all facilities to the Australian Standard (AS3745), and that each plan must be updated and practised with personnel at least every 12 months. This one is non-negotiable.

The Chief Warden should be someone who is on site most of the time, or who has easily identifiable deputies.

As the business owner or facility manager, you know the business operations inside and out. Why not consider taking on the Chief Warden role yourself and to make sure that safety is seen as a crucial part of the culture of the business? Safety culture is everyone’s responsibility, but it often starts with you as a leader.

Warden structures are not a burden, they’re an opportunity to show leadership.

You need your Wardens to be mature, calm and able to communicate well under pressure. The role of a Warden is a great opportunity for team members to develop or demonstrate they possess these leadership qualities, and can galvanise other team members during high stress situations, including evacuation drills and if an incident occurs.  

First Aid Officers are a crucial part of an emergency response team.

We’re fortunate to have lots of fantastic community service organisations that require First Aid training in Australia. Ask your team members if they volunteer at the local Surf Life Saving Club, or for St John’s Ambulance and you may find your perfect First Aid Officer.

Contact Safety101 today to discuss your emergency management requirements: admin@safety-101.com