Can everyone get out in an emergency?
When the fire alarm goes off, there may be a scenario where not everyone is able to head for the exit unaided. This is why you need to create a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) for employees with a disability / visual or mobility impairment.
A personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) is the established way of ensuring that an individual’s needs are taken into account within your building’s emergency procedures. As an employer, you should complete one whenever someone is regularly present in your building and requires special assistance or facilities of some nature in order to respond to the fire alarm, locate the exits, use the stairs, etc.
Don’t only develop and implement a PEEP when you have a permanently disabled member of staff, you should also consider temporary disabilities, such as an employee with a broken leg, those who have a hearing impairment, pregnant workers, etc.
Who knows best?
You may be daunted at the prospect of designing a method of escape for someone who has a disability. However, there will be an expert to hand: – the individual. They will know their capabilities, what they can and can’t do, what problems are likely to arise and what simple actions would help.
What’s covered in a PEEP?
The PEEP begins with basic information including the building name and the contact details of the individual concerned. You should the consider an analysis of:
- How the alarm will be triggered on discovery of a fire
- How the alert is best received (general alarm? beacons? pager? etc.)
- Details of colleagues who are designated to assist and how
- Special equipment which needs to be provided
- Safe routes and refuges.
If there are special routes or disabled refuges, attach a plan of the building highlighting these so that anyone reading it clearly understands what is expected.
It would be good practice to arrange to meet in the building in question and allow sufficient time to work through the emergency procedures systematically, ensuring that you take into account all the locations from which escape may be needed, e.g. canteen, meeting rooms, toilets and offices.
The PEEP concludes with a step-by-step plan for emergency evacuation, any alternative evacuation procedure, e.g. as may be needed out of hours, and a signed agreement by both parties.
On completion ensure that the PEEP is,
- Supplied to the individual in the format they request, e.g. large print.
- Implemented with the arrangements agreed, including any practice sessions or training for colleagues.
You should use the documented PEEP to facilitate a discussion with the individual. This avoids you second guessing what’s needed and ensures that the resulting arrangements are realistic.
Include plans showing any special routes or refuges and ensure that any training or practice drills are implemented as designated by the PEEP.
If you require any advice or assistance with the development or implementation of a PEEP in your workplace, please feel free to contact Spectra and one of our experienced consultants will be happy to help.