Personal Evacuation Plans and Evacuation Trainings Help to Save Lives

Risk assessing the evacuation process for disabled employees and those with mobility problems within commercial premises requires a pro-active approach by employers. A European Directive and several local legislations clearly specifies that an employers' duty of care now extends to providing reasonable provision and adjustment for disabled members ­of staff.

The European Directive 89/391/EEG article 8, and 2000/78/EEG specify that those with responsibility for the management of premises are required to provide adequate means for emergency escape for all building occupants, not just their employees. A high number of employers do consider the measures necessary to evacuate people with mobility problems in the event of an emergency, however, as a result of how legislation is structured and communicated, many employers and premises managers struggle to determine the full scope of their legal obligations.

Personal Evacuation Plans for People with Disabilities
A Personal evacuation Plan, or PEP for short, for those with walking difficulties, should specify a planned route to safety and identify individuals who can provide assistance. Any training or practice needs required for such individuals should also be considered. Employers should take action to ensure that mobility-impaired or disabled workers are not exposed to any significant dangers by carrying out a full risk assessment, which should be reviewed on a regular basis. Any ongoing risks identified in the assessment should be quickly mitigated.

The provision of facilities that aid safe evacuation should also be considered an important part of the fire risk management process. With lifts not in use during a fire, specialist evacuation chairs are an important requirement, as these allow disabled and mobility impaired occupants to safely descend staircases, and ensuring staff are trained in how to operate these is vital if they're to serve their purpose.

Ensuring a PEP is in place is paramount, but even the most comprehensive plan becomes redundant unless employers ensure people are correctly trained in how to adhere to them. Without holding regular training sessions, communication exercises and reviewing the evacuation plans of those with mobility problems, any adopted procedures become redundant, and peoples' lives are put at risk in the event of a fire.

Trainings and Drills are Life Savers
Ensuring regular drills take place, and that this incorporates training on how to use essential equipment needed during an emergency, goes hand in hand with this. A recent survey of 200 businesses who own Evac+Chairs, highlights that 40% of respondents do not incorporate them into emergency evacuation training. The results also reveal a high number of organisations that have lost their trained employee responsible for health and safety equipment. Even though 73% of respondents have now hired replacements to the post, worryingly, 40% are not yet trained in using essential equipment, such as evacuation chairs which are critical when seeking to vacate individuals from high-rise buildings (where lifts usage is not permitted). Therefore, training a team of staff, rather than just one, is undoubtedly a failsafe option.

Refuge points, or areas of comparative safety, have been incorporated into the design of many commercial buildings and are vital for those unable to use stairways unassisted as well as those assisting them, in order to safely evacuate a building. However, the most recent legislation clearly specifies that internal refuge points should only ever be seen as temporary areas where those with mobility problems can wait until they are safely evacuated. Crucially, those who stoically hold onto the concept that the Fire Services are responsible for this aspect of evacuation, should consider the possibility that they may not be able to save lives nor guarantee that they could respond within a given period of time to an emergency call-out.

Emergency Fire Action Plan
A comprehensive emergency fire action plan which specifies the evacuation procedures for everyone, including people with disabilities, should be clearly communicated. Instructions must also be provided in a number of different formats, for example, Braille, audio and large print. Incorporating other modifications such as ramps and vibration alarms (for those with hearing impairments) can also help aid safe evacuations. Disabled occupants must be regularly reminded of the specifics of their Personal Evacuation Plans. Frequent and robust training in the required procedure for all occupants helps ensure an evacuation plan achieves its full potential and serves its core purpose of helping to save lives.