Civil Unrest Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Civil unrest may be isolated and short‐term events, or be widespread and long‐lasting crisis situations. Civil unrest can involve the direct or indirect targeting of foreign personnel and local employees, office and project sites, resources and assets, as well as personnel and materials in transit. Crime and social disorder are often associated with such situations. Personnel may also be exposed to risks associated with police responses if caught within a crowd or riot event.

In the event that a civil unrest situation occurs, the following immediate steps should be taken:

Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. If required, establish a Crisis Response Center and local Incident Management Team.
3. Alert security personnel—appropriate security response measures should be taken, enhancing security alert states and measures.
4. Alert supporting military and external agencies; request advice and support from embassies, consuls, and other government groups.
5. Gather all available intelligence on the situation from:
   • External agencies
   • Local workforce
   • Media
   • Subcontractors
   • Other companies
6. Determine the nature, tempo, scope, and impacts of the civil unrest situation.
7. Initiate reciprocal reporting agreements with other commercial groups.
8. Determine which groups, facilities, and resources are most at risk.
9. Secure facilities, materials, and resources.
10. Send local employees and workforces home if it is safe to do so.
11. Move nonsecurity personnel to safe havens or securable areas.
12. Conduct a muster of all personnel within a safe haven, and account for missing personnel.
13. Move personnel away from crowds and out of sight if necessary. Personnel are to stay away from windows or other apertures, and stay behind solid structures.
14. Ensure that personnel are moved away from combustible or flammable materials.
15. Consider the implementation of an evacuation plan if required or appropriate.
16. Forward all information through the correct communication channels, and update where necessary.
17. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.