Emergency Planning SANS 1514 in South Africa
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Emergency Planning
An emergency plan isn’t something you want to “figure out on the day.” In a major hazard environment, minutes matter — and confusion is what turns a manageable event into a full-scale emergency.
That’s why SANS 1514:2018 exists.
At MHI Risk Engineers, we support Emergency Planning SANS 1514 for Major Hazard Installations (MHI), helping organisations develop, implement, and maintain emergency response plans that are structured, compliant, and usable in real life — not just nice on paper.
If your goal is stronger emergency preparedness, clearer emergency plan procedures, and better coordination with responders, this is where you start.
- What is a SANS
What is SANS 1514:2018
SANS 1514:2018 is a South African National Standard that outlines procedures for creating and maintaining emergency response plans for Major Hazard Installations. It’s designed to ensure a facility is prepared for both:
- on-site emergencies (within the facility boundary), and
- off-site emergencies (where impacts could extend into surrounding communities)
It aligns with the Major Hazard Installation Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act No. 85 of 1993) and sets expectations around planning, responsibilities, training, testing, and ongoing review.
- Who needs this service
Why Emergency Planning matters (especially for MHI sites)
Emergency response planning isn’t only a compliance activity. Done properly, it helps you:
- protect employees, contractors, and nearby communities
- reduce the severity and escalation potential of incidents
- improve decision-making and communication under pressure
- coordinate with local authorities and emergency services more effectively
- reduce operational disruption and recovery time after an event
- demonstrate readiness and governance in high-hazard operations
A plan that’s practical and trained is one of the most cost-effective risk reduction tools available.
- What we do:
Key elements of SANS 1514 Emergency Planning
Below are the major elements that SANS 1514 expects you to cover, and how we typically approach them.
01
Scope and applicability
SANS 1514 covers the creation and maintenance of emergency response plans aligned to the MHI regulatory environment under the OHS Act. We clarify:
- which hazards and scenarios are relevant to your installation
- where the boundaries are (on-site vs off-site impacts)
which stakeholders must be included (internal and external)
02
Risk management and scenario planning
Emergency plans must be built around credible scenarios — not generic templates.
We support:
- hazard identification and risk assessment inputs
- scenario planning (fires, explosions, toxic releases, loss of containment)
- mapping of likely escalation pathways
- defining triggers for activation and escalation
This is where emergency preparedness response plans become realistic and facility-specific.
03
Roles and responsibilities (who does what, when)
SANS 1514 defines duties for:
- on-site emergency controllers
- local authorities
- emergency services
We help clarify roles such as:
- incident commander / emergency controller
- communication and liaison roles
- evacuation marshals and accountability teams
- isolation and shutdown responsibilities
- medical response coordination
- interface with external responders
If people don’t know their role in the first 60 seconds, the plan won’t work.
04
Training, drills, and testing
Plans don’t succeed because they exist — they succeed because people practise them.
SANS 1514 expects:
- regular training and awareness
- drills and exercises
- testing and performance review
We help you structure drill programmes that test real scenarios and produce improvements, not just attendance registers.
05
Documentation, review, and continual improvement
SANS 1514 requires:
- proper record-keeping
- periodic reviews
- updates based on incident outcomes and legislative changes
We help build a review cycle that keeps the plan current as your site changes, staffing changes, or risks change.
- Certifications
What you get from an Emergency Planning SANS 1514 project
A strong output is more than a document. It’s a working system.
Typical outputs include:
- a structured emergency response plan aligned to SANS 1514
- clear evacuation procedures, roles, and activation triggers
- communication and coordination framework for internal/external response
- training and drill plan with a testing schedule
- documentation and review process so the plan stays alive and current
- a structured emergency response plan aligned to SANS 1514
- Contact Us
Get in touch with us
Reach out for any inquiries, support, or to discuss how we can meet your industrial needs.
- Contact Us
Contact us
FAQ: Emergency Planning (SANS 1514)
What is an emergency plan?
An emergency plan is a documented set of procedures and responsibilities that explains how an organisation will respond to emergencies to protect people, the environment, and assets. It includes how to raise the alarm, evacuate, communicate, respond, and recover.
What are the 5 steps to an emergency plan?
A practical five-step approach is:
- identify hazards and credible emergency scenarios
- define roles, responsibilities, and resources
- write clear procedures (alarm, evacuation, response actions)
- train people and run drills
- review, improve, and update regularly
How to write up an emergency plan?
Start with scenario-based planning:
- list credible emergencies (fire, toxic release, explosion, spill, medical)
- define triggers and escalation levels
- map roles and responsibilities (who does what)
- document evacuation, communication, and response procedures
- include resources and contact lists
- build a drill schedule and review cycle
For MHI sites, align the plan with SANS 1514 requirements and regulatory expectations.
What are the five requirements of an emergency plan?
Most effective plans include:
- clear activation and communication procedures
- evacuation and accountability procedures
- defined roles and responsibilities
- available resources/equipment and access arrangements
training, drills, and review mechanisms
What are three types of emergencies?
Three broad types include:
- fires and explosions
- toxic/chemical releases
medical and rescue emergencies
(Other types can include natural events, security incidents, and utility failures.)
What are the four elements of EPP?
EPP is often used to mean Emergency Preparedness Plan. A practical four-element structure is:
- prevention/mitigation planning
- preparedness (roles, resources, training)
- response (procedures and coordination)
- recovery (return to normal and lessons learned)
- prevention/mitigation planning
What are the four main parts of an emergency plan?
A useful four-part structure is:
- roles and responsibilities
- emergency procedures (alarm, evacuation, response)
- resources and communication protocols
- training, drills, and review process
What are the 5 emergency actions?
A practical “five actions” set is:
- raise the alarm
- protect people (evacuate/isolate)
- control the source if safe
- communicate and coordinate response
account for people and stabilise the situation
What are the 5 C's of emergency management?
Different frameworks define these differently, but a common version includes:
- command
- control
- communication
- coordination
continuous improvement
What are 7 points to be included in an emergency plan?
A solid emergency plan typically includes:
- emergency contacts and communication methods
- alarm and activation procedures
- roles and responsibilities
- evacuation routes and muster points
- emergency response procedures by scenario
- resources/equipment and site access info
training, drills, and review cycle
How to prepare a plan?
Use a risk-based, scenario-driven approach:
- assess hazards and likely emergencies
- design procedures around real site layout and operations
- involve key stakeholders (operations, maintenance, HSE, security, external responders)
test the plan through drills and improve it based on performance
What are 10 items in an emergency kit?
This depends on the scenario, but common emergency kit items include:
- first aid supplies
- emergency contact list
- torch/headlamp and spare batteries
- high-visibility vest
- basic PPE (gloves, mask where relevant)
- spill absorbents (if chemical exposure risk)
- warning tape/signage
- portable radio/communication device
- fire extinguisher access (where relevant)
- basic tools for isolation/utility shut-off (site dependent)
For MHI sites, emergency resources are often much more specialised and scenario-specific.
What is the simple definition of emergency?
An emergency is an unexpected situation that threatens life, health, the environment, property, or operations and requires immediate action.
What is the purpose behind an emergency plan?
The purpose is to:
- protect people and the environment
- reduce escalation and impact
- ensure coordinated, effective response
- meet legal and regulatory expectations
speed up recovery and improve learning after incidents
What are the three main steps in an emergency action plan?
A simple three-step structure is:
- alert and assess (raise alarm, identify the emergency)
- act (evacuate/isolate/respond)
account and recover (confirm people safety, stabilise, learn and improve)
Want an emergency plan that works under pressure—not just on paper?
If you need an emergency plan aligned to SANS 1514:2018, built around real scenarios, clear roles, and drill-ready procedures, MHI Risk Engineers can help you strengthen emergency preparedness for both on-site and off-site major hazard events.