Definition:

A critical incident is any event or series of events that requires immediate action. Critical incidents are overwhelming, threatening and have the potential to cause harm. They may be an assault, (physical or emotional), threats, severe injury, death, fire or a bomb threat.

1. In the event of a critical incident in the Access Arts Office or any workshop or program, it is up to the Senior Staff Member?s judgment to do whatever necessary to ensure the safety and/or emotional well-being of all present (Senior Staff: Executive Director or their delegate). The Senior Staff Member must take into account that incidents will affect people differently depending on their age, mental health status and other life events which they might be experiencing.
2. The Senior Staff Member must check that all present are safe, supported and uninjured.
3. The appropriate Staff Member(s) must then provide opportunities for debriefing and (if necessary) first aid and/or contact ambulance as required.
4. If any activity or action taken by a Member, Staff Member or Member of the Public leads to a Staff Member(s) or Member(s) being physically or verbally threatened, all others not involved should quickly and quietly remove themselves from the area.
5. All Staff and Members who have evacuated from the scene must gather at a safe area designated by the Senior Staff Member present.
6. In order to provide a witness for both parties, a Senior Staff Member must remain where the incident is occurring.
7. A Staff Member who has evacuated the scene must ring 000 if deemed appropriate by the Senior Staff Member present.
8. Once Emergency Services have arrived all Staff are to follow their instructions. Once the incident is over, the Senior Staff Member must make a decision as to whether it is possible to resume the workshop or program depending on the physical and emotional well-being of Staff and Members.
9. An Incident Report form must be completed by all Staff involved and given to the Executive Director.
10. The Executive Director will then assess the situation and the procedure followed to see if further action is needed.
11. All Staff involved in the incident must be offered the opportunity to debrief with the Executive Director, and be offered counselling during working hours if the Executive Director deems this appropriate. In cases where the Executive Director is directly involved in the incident, he or she should be offered the opportunity to debrief with the President or his or her delegate from the Management Committee. Members involved in the incident should also be offered the opportunity to debrief with a Senior Staff Member. (Further information on the debriefing process can be found on the S Drive under Quality Assurance\debriefing.