How to organise training for Emergency Response Officers during COVID-19

Immediately after the outbreak of the corona crisis, many companies and organisations were faced with the question; how to train of their Emergency Response Officers.

The Working Conditions Act [De arbeidsomstandighedenwet/Arbowet] obliges the employer to seek assistance of employees who have been designated as Emergency Response Officers (ERO) [BHV]. The tasks of the ERO are:

• Provide first aid in the event of accidents;
• Contain and extinguish fires and consequences of accidents;
• Raise almes and set evacuation in place for all employees and other individuals in the office or establishments in case of an emergency;
• Make sure the emergency plan (company emergency plan), and the mandatory evacuation plan are in place.

The Netherlands Institute for Company Emergency Response (NIBHV), The Red Cross, the Dutch Resuscitation Council (NRR) and the Branch Association for Company Emergency Response in The Netherlands (BVBN) have drawn up a joint protocol for safe training of the Emergency Response Officers in organisations.

E-learnings can be provided to keep their skills and knowledge up to date as much as possible. Furthermore, it is essential to continue practical training taking into consideration the local legal requirements.

The Working Conditions Act states at least one emergency person must always be present at the location. This need to be respected even if there is little or no staff on the work floor, as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions by the government.

For more information or questions on employment conditions, contact our specialist.