Overview

This article identifies recommendations agencies should consider when developing, implementing, and evaluating emergency evacuation programs. Specific regulatory guidelines and best practices will be discussed.

Emergency Evacuations…on your mark…get set…go!

When we think of evacuations, we often visualize masses of people running in a disorderly fashion as fast and as far away as possible from the threat of danger. Oftentimes, in that scenario, injuries occur, but not as a result of the dangerous or potentially dangerous situation. Poor planning and preparation are the causes of these injuries. Without a feasible plan of action, people are left to their own devices to react.

What Do the Regulations State?

There are a few regulations, depending on the type of agency and the variety of exposures, which may need to be consulted when evaluating and identifying the requirements for emergency evacuations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration/Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA/VOSH) Standards, National Fire Protection (NFPA) 101-Life Safety Code, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) are just a few. Many of these regulations can be obtained for a fee. This article primarily focuses on OSHA/VOSH requirements for emergency evacuations. OSHA/VOSH 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E, Exit Routes Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans identifies basic requirements for the design and construction of exit routes; maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes; emergency action plans; and fire prevention plans.

Where Do We Begin?

When beginning to develop an emergency evacuation plan, an agency evaluation should be conducted. In addition to specific regulatory and agency-specific considerations, the agency should:

• Evaluate the needs of employees:
  
  
  
  • Are there any handicapped employees or those needing additional assistance?
  
  
  • What can be done to ensure their safety and the safety of assigned assistants during the evacuation?
  
  


• Determine the accessibility of emergency personnel:
  
  
  
  • Will local or in-house volunteers be used?
  
  
  • What are the steps to contact emergency personnel?
  
  
  • What is the response time for emergencies? Is it sufficient?
  
  


• Identify exit strategies:
  
  
  
  • Are there enough exit points?
  
  
  • Are the exits clearly and appropriately illuminated?
  
  
  • Will agency personnel be used to assist with the evacuation? If so, how will they be identified to assist with the orderly evacuation?
  
  
  • Will specific areas of the building be directed to specific exit points?
  
  
  • Will the evacuation occur in stages (delayed evacuation) or at one time?
  
  


• Identify potential assembly/staging areas:
  
  
  
  • Is there sufficient space for inside areas of refuge to accommodate the number of employees on-site?
  
  
  • Are the inside areas structurally sound and located at a safe distance from windows?
  
  
  • Are the areas of refuge or areas to shelter-in-place clearly identified?
  
  
  • Are outside assembly areas located in safe, open spaces far enough away from the hazard to protect employees from falling or flying debris?
  
  
  • Are outside assembly areas upwind of the building?
  
  
  • Will a windsock, located in a high, easily identified place be used to determine wind direction?
  
  


• Identify the risk employees may be exposed to while evacuating in an emergency and remove them.
  
  
  
  • Clear walking areas, exits, and emergency equipment of obstructions.
  
  

The Plan

A good emergency evacuation plan should contain a means to identify specific elements, including permanent exit routes that are properly designed, constructed, designated, and maintained; appropriate exit lighting and markings; proper design, maintenance, and inspection of audible warning devices; and a system to evaluate and correct the plan for maximum success. The plan should also “address emergencies the employer may reasonably expect in the workplace”¹ like fire, toxic chemical releases, and natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, floods, etc.).

The emergency evacuation plan should identify step-by-step what actions are expected and should equip employees with the knowledge to identify:

• the location of the evacuation policy,


• the types of emergencies that require evacuation,


• types of emergencies that require shelter-in-place,


• the location of various types of hazards (chemical, fire, explosion, etc.),


• how emergencies are to be reported and to whom,


• names and job titles of employees to be contacted for additional information about the plan,


• what alarms (and various tones) mean and what action should be taken,


• employee roles (floor wardens, building wardens, etc.),


• appropriate evacuation routes,


• evacuation procedures,


• steps to take prior to evacuating, and


• the location of the evacuation assembly area(s).

It is important to note that the determination to “shelter-in-place” at an area of refuge within the building should be calculated quickly. The consequences of being trapped inside should be weighed against potential external dangers. If given sufficient notice, the most desirable course of action is to completely evacuate the building.
After an event requiring an emergency evacuation has occurred, a debriefing of the events should be conducted and it may be necessary to provide counseling resources to employees.

Training and Program Review

OSHA/VOSH recommends that an adequate number of employees are available during work hours to serve as evacuation wardens to assist with moving employees quickly to safety. These individuals should receive specialized training with respect to the layout of the workplace and alternate escape routes, the location of handicapped employees, and the location of hazardous materials. Designated evacuation wardens should be easily identified with highly visible clothing (hats, vests, jackets) or signs. These items may also identify the agency’s name for sites housing multiple organizations.

The emergency evacuation plan should be re-evaluated annually. Additionally, regular drills and at least initial assignment and annual training should be provided to ensure employees respond appropriately in the event of an emergency.

Remember, developing a plan of action that works for your agency and regularly implementing improvements may be the difference between an event with few or no injuries and a catastrophic event with numerous serious injuries.

¹U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Appendix to Subpart E-Exit routes, emergency action plans, and fire prevention plans. Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10114.

²U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool: Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/eap.html.

References

Burtles, Jim. (June 2004). Developing an Emergency Evacuation Strategy. Retrieved February 26, 2007 from http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature099.htm.

Commonwealth of Virginia-Workers’ Compensation Services. (January 2003). Emergency Action Plans. Retrieved February 23, 2007 from http://www.covwc.com/lcarticles/archives/000063.php.

The Hartford Loss Control Department. (2002). Life Safety: Evacuation Planning. Retrieved February 20, 2007 from http://www.thehartford.com/corporate/losscontrol/SBA/TIPS/970-022.pdf.

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Subpart E-Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans. Retrieved February 14, 2007 from, http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9724.