Site Management · Mandatory · Pre-Construction

Emergency Plan

The Emergency Plan sets out procedures for responding to foreseeable emergencies on the construction site including fire, structural collapse, chemical spills, gas leaks, flooding, and serious injuries. It identifies emergency contacts, first aid provision, rescue equipment locations, and coordination with emergency services. The plan must be communicated to all workers during induction and tested through regular drills.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. CDM 2015 / MHSWR remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

The Emergency Plan — Beyond Fire: All Foreseeable Emergencies

Fire evacuation addresses the most common emergency. The emergency plan goes further — structural collapse, excavation failure, underground service strikes, hazardous substance releases, events causing multiple casualties. For each type: immediate response, who does what, external resources, and what happens afterwards.

The emergency plan must be communicated through induction — not just fire evacuation but the complete set of procedures.

“Emergency contact numbers should be posted prominently on site — not only in the plan document” — Numbers in a filed plan are not accessible when a worker stands over a collapsed excavation with an injured colleague. Key numbers (999, Gas Emergency, HSE, site manager mobile) on laminated card at multiple locations: welfare unit, site office entrance, main work areas.

Emergency Plan — Key Procedures

Emergency	Procedure
Fire/explosion	Evacuate. Call 999. Roll call. FRS access. Not to re-enter until all-clear. RIDDOR if injuries.
Serious injury	Call 999 immediately. First aider attends. Do not move casualty unless in immediate danger. Preserve scene. Notify PC management and client. RIDDOR.
Fatality	Call 999. Preserve scene. Do not disturb. Notify HSE immediately (0345 300 9923). RIDDOR within 10 days (online). Notify insurer. No media access.
Gas escape	Clear area. No ignition sources. Call Gas Emergency 0800 111 999. Prevent access until National Grid attended.
Cable strike	Do not touch. Remove all persons. Call 999 and DNO emergency line. Isolate if safe from distribution board.
Excavation collapse	Do not enter — secondary collapse risk. Call 999. Secure perimeter. Account for all persons. Wait for FRS to confirm safe approach.
COSHH incident	Remove persons. Avoid contamination. Call 999 if injured/unresponsive. SDS first aid. Contain spill. Notify EA if environmental risk.
Asbestos disturbance	Stop work. Evacuate area. Do not clean up. Secure and restrict access. Call UKAS analyst. RIDDOR if workers exposed.

Common Mistakes

Emergency plan covering only fire — CDM and MHSWR require procedures for all foreseeable serious dangers. Must address excavation collapse, cable strikes, structural failure, serious injuries — the full range.

RIDDOR procedures not included — must include which types are reported, deadlines (fatal/specified immediately; over-7-day within 15 days), how to report (online or telephone 0345 300 9923), and who is responsible.

Emergency contact numbers not current — numbers change as personnel change. Must be reviewed and updated. Include 999, Gas 0800 111 999, EA 0800 80 70 60, HSE 0345 300 9923, local DNO, site manager, PC head office, and insurer.

Not communicated in site induction — induction typically covers fire in detail but may skip other procedures. Excavation workers need the collapse procedure. COSHH users need the spill procedure. Cover procedures relevant to each worker's work.

No review after incident — every incident including near misses should trigger a review. Did the procedure work? Was it followed? Were there gaps? Was the response timely? Update the plan with improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must be reported under RIDDOR?

All fatal accidents; specified injuries (fractures other than fingers/thumbs/toes, amputations, loss of sight, crush injuries to head/torso, scalping, loss of consciousness, 24+ hours in hospital); over-7-day incapacitating; occupational diseases; dangerous occurrences (scaffold collapses, crane overturning, explosions). Fatal/specified by telephone immediately; others online within 15 days.

Who is responsible for RIDDOR reports?

The employer of the injured person for most accidents. The PC should report fatalities on a construction site. In practice the PC's site manager co-ordinates and notifies the relevant employer. The emergency plan should specify who for each category.

What is a dangerous occurrence?

Specified near misses reported even if no injury occurs. For construction: scaffold collapse 5m+; unintended collapse of 5+ tonnes; explosion/fire causing 24+ hour stoppage; unintended release of biological agent. The complete list is in Schedule 2 of RIDDOR 2013.

What should the site manager do in the first minutes after a serious accident?

1. Call 999. 2. First aid administered. 3. Keep persons away — secondary prevention. 4. Preserve scene. 5. Identify witnesses. 6. Notify PC management and client. 7. Contact HSE if fatal/specified. 8. Preserve CCTV/photos. 9. No media — refer to communications team.

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