New Year Emergency Preparedness Audit: A Complete Checklist for Australian Workplaces

Why January is the Perfect Time for an Emergency Preparedness Audit

The start of a new year presents an ideal opportunity to assess your workplace’s emergency readiness. After the holiday break, organisations return with fresh perspectives and renewed energy—perfect conditions for conducting a thorough review of your emergency management systems.

Many Australian workplaces find that emergency preparedness slips during the busy end-of-year period. January provides a natural checkpoint to identify any gaps before they become compliance issues or, worse, safety hazards during an actual emergency.

Document Review Checklist

Emergency Plans and Procedures

Your emergency plans form the foundation of workplace safety. During your January audit, review:

• Plan currency: When was your emergency plan last updated? AS 3745 recommends annual reviews at minimum, but any significant workplace change should trigger an update.
• Contact details: Are all warden contacts, emergency services numbers, and escalation procedures current? Staff turnover during the year often leaves plans with outdated information.
• Procedure accuracy: Do your documented procedures still reflect how your workplace actually operates? Changes to floor layouts, tenancy arrangements, or operational hours may require procedure updates.

Warden Documentation

Your Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) documentation should include:

• Current warden appointment letters and acceptance forms
• Training records showing currency of qualifications
• Warden duty rosters ensuring adequate coverage across all shifts
• Deputy warden assignments for succession planning

If you’re finding gaps in your warden coverage, consider our fire warden training programs to build your team’s capability.

Equipment Inspection Checklist

Fire Safety Equipment

Walk through your workplace and verify:

• Fire extinguishers: Check service tags show current maintenance. Australian Standards require six-monthly inspections and five-yearly pressure testing.
• Fire blankets: Ensure they’re properly mounted and seals are intact.
• Fire hose reels: Test operation and check for any damage or obstructions.
• Emergency lighting: Activate test switches to confirm batteries are functional.
• Exit signs: All illuminated signs should be working and visible.

First Aid Resources

• First aid kits are stocked and within expiry dates
• AED batteries and pads are current (if applicable)
• First aid room equipment is functional and supplies adequate

Evacuation Equipment

• Evacuation chairs are accessible and in working order
• PEEP equipment for mobility-impaired persons is available
• Assembly point equipment (clipboards, high-vis vests, communication devices) is ready

Training Status Review

Warden Certifications

Create a spreadsheet tracking:

• Each warden’s name and role (Chief Warden, Floor Warden, etc.)
• Date of last training
• Training expiry date
• Scheduled refresher training date

Industry best practice suggests warden training should be refreshed annually. If you have wardens whose training is overdue or approaching expiry, our chief warden training and fire warden programs can help.

Staff Emergency Awareness

Beyond your warden team, assess general staff emergency awareness:

• Are new starters receiving emergency procedure inductions? Professional induction training ensures all staff understand their responsibilities.
• Have all staff participated in an evacuation drill within the past 12 months?
• Do staff know their nearest exits, assembly points, and who their wardens are?

Compliance Gap Analysis

Use this section to identify areas requiring attention before your next compliance review or audit.

AS 3745 Compliance Check

The Australian Standard for emergency planning requires:

• Documented emergency procedures appropriate to your facility
• Established Emergency Control Organisation with trained wardens
• Evacuation diagrams displayed at required locations
• Regular evacuation exercises conducted and documented
• Annual review of emergency plans and procedures

WHS Legislation Requirements

Under Work Health and Safety legislation, your organisation must:

• Provide and maintain a safe working environment
• Ensure workers are provided with adequate information, instruction, and training
• Have emergency plans that provide for evacuation and emergency procedures

Gap Documentation

For each identified gap, document:

1. The specific requirement not being met
2. Current status
3. Required actions to achieve compliance
4. Responsible person
5. Target completion date
6. Budget implications (if any)

Creating Your 2026 Emergency Management Action Plan

Based on your audit findings, develop a prioritised action plan for the year ahead.

Immediate Priorities (January-February)

Address any critical gaps that present immediate safety risks or significant compliance exposures:

• Booking overdue warden training
• Updating emergency contact lists
• Arranging equipment maintenance

Quarterly Actions (Throughout 2026)

Schedule regular activities to maintain compliance:

• Q1: Post-audit remediation and first evacuation exercise
• Q2: Mid-year training refreshers and plan review
• Q3: Second evacuation exercise and equipment audit
• Q4: Annual plan review and 2027 planning

Budget Considerations

Factor these ongoing costs into your emergency management budget:

• Warden training and refresher courses
• Equipment maintenance and testing
• Plan updates and evacuation diagram revisions
• External compliance reviews
• Evacuation exercise facilitation

If you need assistance with compliance administration, our team can provide ongoing support to keep your emergency management current throughout the year.

Taking Action

The most effective emergency preparedness audit is one that leads to action. Use the gaps and priorities you’ve identified to drive genuine improvements in your workplace safety.

Don’t let your audit findings sit in a drawer. Assign clear ownership, set realistic timelines, and track progress throughout the year.

How Messana Group Can Help

With over 25 years of experience helping Australian workplaces achieve and maintain emergency compliance, Messana Group offers:

• Professional compliance assessments: We’ll conduct a thorough review of your emergency management systems and provide actionable recommendations.
• Training programs: From fire warden training to chief warden development, we build capable emergency response teams.
• Plan development: Our emergency plans are customised to your specific workplace and compliance requirements.
• Ongoing support: Our compliance administration service ensures your emergency management stays current year-round.

Next Steps

Ready to start 2026 with confidence in your emergency preparedness? Book a free compliance assessment or call us on 1300 622 030 to discuss your requirements.