What should staff do if they identify a hazardous situation during an emergency?

In an emergency, it is crucial for staff to report any hazardous situations to the incident commander immediately. The incident commander is responsible for overseeing the situation, coordinating the response efforts, and ensuring the safety of all personnel involved. By reporting the hazardous situation, staff enable the incident commander to assess the risk, take appropriate actions, and provide relevant information to other responders or authorities who may be involved. This communication is vital for maintaining an organized response and ensuring that all team members are aware of potential risks.

Handling the situation themselves or ignoring it could exacerbate the danger and create more significant problems, while waiting for instructions from unrelated departments, such as marketing, is unnecessary and could lead to delays that compromise safety. Prioritizing direct communication with the incident commander helps create a structured and effective emergency response.