Accountability in emergencies mus the employer, says Evac+Chair Int
Emergencies arise daily and, by their very nature, are unpredictable in the form and
severity they may take. Making provisions for emergency situations at work is the responsibility of each and every one of us, from ensuring hazards are identified to knowing the nominated fire warden or person responsible for first aid. However, according to emergency specialists at Evac+Chair International, identifying who is legally accountable and responsible for mitigating the severity of emergencies is not always clearly defined.
M
ark Roberts, director at Evac+Chair International, said: “In the event of fire, we know that dialling 999
will summon the Fire and Rescue Service. However, legislation has recently changed and while the Service is responsible for fighting fires it is no longer responsible for the rescue of persons within the building or to ensure that all people can evacuate a building safely.”
The Equality Act 2010 reiterates key elements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and states that business managers, heads of organisations or those persons who have control of, or safety obligations in respect of non- domestic premises, have a legal duty for ensuring that arrangements are in place for an evacuation of the premises, if the situation requires it. Mark adds: “The legislation does not provide clarity on whether, in multi- occupancy non-domestic buildings, it is the employer, facilities management company or building owner who is legally responsible
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for the provision of equipment to aid a safe evacuation. For instance, who should take the lead on providing an evacuation chair in communal stairways for the disabled or mobility-impaired?
“From our discussions with business owners, awareness levels of their increased obligations in light of the changing role of the fire service are still relatively low. However, the fact that employers hold a duty of care to both staff and visitors should arguably mean that they should already be taking the lead in avoiding fatalities and injuries in the event of an emergency.”
In regards to visitors, it is commonplace to have a registration book for visitors in order to keep a record of all people entering and leaving the building. Keeping a log of the numbers of people on the premises enables the nominated fire wardens to quickly account for all people and identify any absences at the assembly points. Business occupiers should ensure that they have enough nominated fire wardens to cover for holidays and
sickness due to the unpredictable nature of emergency situations. Fire wardens should be identified by wearing Hi Visibility clothing including arm bands or yellow vests for example, in order to be clearly distinguishable for visitors and staff. Receptionists should investigate the evacuation needs of all visitors on arrival and log where they will be located on the premises should they require evacuation assistance. By not having clear procedures in place, businesses and organisations are putting staff and visitors at serious risk. Furthermore, organisations are advised to have a disclaimer on the sign-in sheet to mitigate any liability derived from visitors to the premises if they do not provide adequate information on their evacuation needs.
Emergency planning requires close management. Each building should have an emergency action plan specifying the evacuation procedures for everyone, including people with disabilities likely to be in the building. An evacuation plan for disabled people is commonly known as a
Building & Facilities Management – September 2013
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