Considerations in Designing an Evacuation Route in the Workplace

3 minutes read

Designing an evacuation route is essential for any workplace to ensure quick, safe, and efficient evacuation of employees in the event of an emergency. Here are some considerations for designing an effective evacuation route for a workplace.

• Consider the type and size of the workplace: Assess the workplace and identify all potential hazards and the number of employees present in different areas. This will help in designing evacuation routes that can quickly and safely get employees to safety.
• Determine the escape routes: Consider the best possible escape routes – at least two – per room or floor, leading to emergency exits or assembly points.
• Account for any hazardous materials: Identify any hazardous materials (flammable, toxic, etc.) present at the workplace and include this in the route plans.
• Provide clear signage: Install clear, visible, proper signage with bright colors, pictures, and plain language that can help avoid panic and confusion in emergencies while indicating the direction of the nearest emergency exit.
• Ensure Accessibility: Consider employees with disabilities or other mobility issues while designing evacuation routes. Locate designated assistance points, and if required, providing temporary refuge areas.
• Emergency Lighting: Essential to ensure to guarantee good visibility in the case of low light and/or dark spaces.
• Train employees: All employees must be familiar with the emergency evacuation plan, especially in high-risk industries, such as healthcare, hospitality, or manufacturing. Regular exercises and training sessions should be conducted to ensure everyone knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.
• Considerations for Occupancy: The design of an evacuation route should consider rules of occupancy that ensure that the maximum number of employees accommodated does not exceed the capacity of the evacuation route designed.

In summary, a well-designed evacuation route is essential to ensure the safety of employees in an emergency. Employers should regularly review their workplace’s layout, update the escape and evacuation routes to ensure that they are adequate, and provide regular exercises and employee training to familiarize everyone with the emergency evacuation plan.