The ERP is a management tool intended to guide organizations in the event of an accident. It details the procedures to be followed in various types of emergencies, based on a vulnerability analysis. It especially provides for emergency response measures to be deployed according to specific hazards. The main objective of the plan is to protect lives, the organization’s assets, and the environment. The ERP is a dynamic tool designed to accommodate new organizational operations and changes in the environment. Running drills on a regular basis allows companies to adjust their resources and contribute to reaching performance targets.
Although the emphasis in emergency planning is on prevention rather than reaction (emergency response plan), the very nature of human activity is such that accidents will inevitably occur, despite prevention. The consequences of such incidents, however, can be mitigated with proper preparation. (CSA Z731, 2014)