What Is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan?
UK legislation places duties on an employer to implement effective arrangements for emergency evacuation of all staff including those who may need some assistance to manage their escape to a place of safety.
With advice and guidance from one of our H&S specialists, it should be possible to develop a plan which will:
- Identify specific evacuation routes where appropriate.
- Identify refuge areas and specific evacuation procedures.
- Identify specialist equipment such an evac-chair that is needed.
- Identify staff responsibilities.
- Identify staff training requirements.
- Identify any building adaptations that are required.
Why Do I Need a One?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 require employers to implement effective arrangements for emergency evacuation for all employees.
The purpose of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (also known as a PEEP) is to provide people who cannot get themselves out of a building unaided with the best possible escape plan in a fire emergency.
What Should The Plan Include?
Your Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan will ensure you have considered the following:
- Assistance by others
- Equipment and training requirements
- Safe routes and refuge
- Multiple-occupancy buildings
- Lifts
Who Is It For?
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan is necessary for any staff members who need assistance when leaving the building in an emergency.
For instance, you may identify one is needed for someone with:
- Mobility impairmentSight impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Cognitive impairment
- A medical condition or injury which might cause them to need assistance to evacuate safely.
Each person’s disability and needs are different and therefore each person requiring a plan needs one specific to their own requirements.
Disabled persons who regularly use different buildings may need to have a separate plan for each building.
Does Everyone With a Disability Need One?
Not all people with an impairment or disability require an individual plan.
If a disabled person can leave the building unaided, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan is not required. Furthermore, people with an invisible impairment may need assistance in an emergency even though they do not usually have an access/exit problem.]
Read more about Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans here.