Z731-03 (R2014)

Preface

This is the third edition of Z731, Emergency Preparedness and Response. It supersedes the previous editions published in 1995 and 1991 under the title Emergency Planning for Industry.

The development of this new edition has resulted in the Standard evolving from one that addressed the needs of fixed industrial facilities to one that can be used by any public or private organization that wishes to develop an emergency management program.

This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Emergency Management, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Community Safety and Well-Being, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

Scope

1.1

The objective of this Standard is to establish minimum criteria for effective emergency preparedness and response.

1.2

This Standard applies to all organizations (as defined in Clause 3.1) that may be affected by natural, technological, and human events that could have a detrimental impact on, among other things, the following:

a) the health and safety of persons in the affected areas;

b) the health and safety of persons responding to the events;

c) continuity of business operations;

d) property, facilities, and infrastructure;

e) delivery of services;

f) environmental conditions;

g) economic and financial conditions;

h) regulatory and contractual obligations; and

i) organizational reputation.

1.3

This Standard provides advice on planning, administration, training, resource utilization, auditing, and other aspects of emergency preparedness and response.

1.4

In CSA Standards, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Legends to equations and figures are considered requirements.