Let’s paint a picture. It’s a regular Tuesday. Someone’s microwaving leftover lasagna. Your admin’s knee-deep in spreadsheets. Your crew’s out back loading a truck. And then—bang—something goes sideways. Fire alarm. Chemical spill. Employee hits the ground, unconscious.
What do you do?
Now’s the time to realize that a laminated poster in the lunchroom that says “call 911” won’t cut it.
Emergency preparedness is more than a checkbox. It’s your lifeline. And if you’re running a business in Canada—especially in Alberta—having a functional, legally compliant, and practically usable plan isn’t just smart. It’s the law.
So let’s talk about how to level up your workplace emergency response plan—and how Calgary Safety Consultants can help you make it real, relevant, and resilient.
Too many businesses take the “it won’t happen here” approach—until it does.
Here’s the catch: emergency preparedness isn’t about avoiding accidents entirely—it’s about minimizing chaos when they happen. Because when a real emergency hits, you’ll only have seconds to act. And the time to plan isn’t when the smoke is rising or the water is flooding in.
Every province in Canada has legislation that requires employers to prepare for foreseeable emergencies. Take Alberta, for example—Part 7 of the Alberta OHS Code requires you to:
Read it for yourself (yep, this stuff is law):
https://ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/emergency-preparedness
You’d be surprised how many workplaces say “we don’t have any real hazards” until someone slips on a leaky pipe near a server room and takes out your entire operation for three days.
Start by assessing:
This isn’t just a safety exercise—it’s the foundation of your plan. And the truth is, most internal hazard assessments miss key risk factors. That’s where Calgary Safety Consultants comes in. We bring an outside perspective and years of experience in identifying risks you may not have thought of—like seasonal hazards (wildfire smoke, ice storms), or overlooked concerns like nearby train routes or storm drains.
Once you know what emergencies could hit, the next step is building a plan—on paper, not in someone’s head.
A good Emergency Response Plan (ERP) should include:
A great ERP goes further. It includes:
We can help you write a plan that’s not just legally compliant—but practical, readable, and actually usable when things go wrong. We specialize in making complex systems simple for people under stress.
Most people freeze under pressure. The only way to overcome that? Practice.
When was your last fire drill? Your last first aid drill? Spill containment exercise?
Every workplace should run drills at least once a year, tailored to their specific hazards. Think:
And if you think drills are boring or awkward—we hear you. That’s why we run them with real scenarios, team-based coordination, and guided debriefs that help your team get sharper each time. You don’t need to be a hero—just confident, fast, and informed.
Book an emergency drill with us here:
https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca/contact/
Too often, training is treated like a one-off event. You watch a video, check a box, and move on.
Real preparedness requires:
We offer online and in-person training programs designed for Canadian workplaces, updated to match provincial OHS codes. And we do it in plain language—because your team doesn’t need a textbook, they need to know what to do when it counts.
Browse training options:
https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca/training/
Emergencies are emotionally charged. Panic is natural. That’s why communication and leadership are just as vital as extinguishers and alarms.
A good ERP includes:
We’ll help you build that into your plan—because the human side of safety matters just as much as the technical one.
Even if you do everything right, if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen (at least legally speaking).
You should be able to show:
Failure to comply with OH&S emergency preparedness requirements can lead to serious fines. In Alberta, that could mean up to $500,000 for a corporation depending on the circumstances.
More here:
https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-compliance-enforcement.aspx
smart, compliant, and livable emergency preparedness programs.
Here’s how we can support you:
Check us out at https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca or send us a message to get started.
If you’re thinking, “we’ll get to it eventually”—stop right there.
Because emergencies don’t care about your to-do list.
Get ahead of the unexpected. Protect your team. Protect your business. Let us help.
And if you need help getting there? We’ve got your back. Contact Calgary Safety Consultants for your complimentary consult to explore tailored OH&S solutions that drive real results.
Stay safe!
Yes. In most Canadian provinces, employers are legally required to have a written and tested plan if there are identifiable hazards in the workplace—even in smaller operations.
Ideally once per year, but more often for high-risk workplaces or when your site conditions change. Calgary Safety Consultants can help you run realistic, engaging drills.
Fires, spills, medical emergencies, severe weather events, gas leaks, workplace violence, or anything that puts your workers or operations at serious risk.
Calgary Safety Consultants is here to help you ensure compliance, enhance safety, and streamline your OH&S program. Don’t wait—fill out the form, and we’ll connect with you to discuss how we can support your business. Let’s get started!
Calgary Safety Consultants delivers game-changing COR Audits and OH&S consulting designed to keep your business safe, compliant, and accident-free. With 30+ years of expertise in high-risk industries like oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing, we understand the unique challenges you face. We offer tailored safety solutions that not only meet regulatory standards but also reduce operational risks and protect your workforce. From conducting thorough safety audits to implementing comprehensive safety management systems, we ensure your team is fully supported. Our hands-on, collaborative approach means we're with you every step of the way, helping you achieve a safer, more efficient workplace. Let us handle the heavy lifting so your team stays protected, and your business thrives!
