This anonymous employer wanted to know how they could make sure their fire evacuation process was effective. So they asked Gavin Scarr Hall, Peninsula’s Director of Health & Safety, for expert advice.
Here’s what they had to say…
Hi Gavin,
I’m a bit concerned about fire safety in my business. In the worst case scenario where a fire broke out, I would want to feel completely confident that I’d be ready and prepared to the best of my ability. I think my workplace is relatively low-risk because we work in an office - but I still want to make sure we’re safe. So any advice on how I can make sure my evacuation plan is up to scratch and I can best communicate with my employees in a dangerous situation would be much appreciated!- Anon
Gavin’s reply was…
Hi Anon. First of all, it’s great that you want to be proactive about fire safety in your workplace.
Taking fire safety precautions is absolutely vital for any business. In the event of an emergency, you need to be ready with the right procedures and equipment. There’s no time for delay or error in these situations!
“I would want to feel completely confident that I’d be ready and prepared to the best of my ability”
No matter how big or small your business is, you need a fire evacuation plan.
Your fire evacuation plan needs to clearly detail how occupants can escape in the event of a fire. For your plan to be effective, you need to communicate it to everyone that uses the premises.
Your plan should have a step-by-step detail of the process, explaining:
- how people should respond after discovering a fire
- how to contact the emergency services
- how to evacuate the building (and how the evacuation process will work)
- where the escape routes are
- what firefighting equipment is available
- who the responsible persons are in a fire i.e. the nominated employees who will manage the evacuation process
- Instructions for any visitors in the building
- How everyone should re-enter the building
- Any training you’ve provided to staff
- Provisions for the evacuation of any vulnerable people that could be on site, whether that be employees or visitors
“I would want to feel completely confident that I’d be ready and prepared to the best of my ability. I think my workplace is relatively low-risk because we work in an office but I still want to make sure we’re safe”
That’s completely understandable. Even for small, low-risk workplaces, you do still need some form of a simple fire evacuation plan.
If you worked in a large premises and a high-risk environment, then you would need to create a more detailed emergency evacuation plan.
“any advice on how I can make sure my evacuation plan is up to scratch and I can best communicate with my employees in a dangerous situation would be much appreciated!”
What’s important is that you communicate clearly how people can escape the building in the event of a fire and point out the escape routes and exits they need to know.
The worst thing to do is panic and throw protocol out the window, so your staff should be aware of what they need to do if they hear the fire alarm, how they can exit and meet at an assembly point.
To share essential information, you can display a simple fire action notice in your workplace. You just need to place this in a spot where staff and can easily see it. Most employers opt for a safety notice board to display relevant safety information for staff.
I understand there’s a lot to think about, so if you have any questions about your existing evacuation plan and how you can make sure your process has covered all bases, our Health & Safety experts are available to provide more information.
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Hope that helps Anon!
All the best,
Gavin
