Planning is the Key

1. Planning is the Key NDA / IOSH Conference Safe Evacuation for All Mary Dorgan 23rd September 2009

2. Planning Prevention At the Heart of HSA Prevention Policy A S Y S T E M

3. Planning for Evacuation • Sustained focus needed in line with improvements in access • Well planned evacuation addresses risks at highest level • Planning involves active competent assessment across a range of factors • Consequence of failure is immense

4. Legislative Background - HSA • Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act • General Application Regulations 2007

5. The 2005 Act • ……ensure…. the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees.. • Place of work ……the design, provision and maintenance of safe means of access to and egress from it … • ……preparing and revising… adequate plans and procedures to be followed and measures to be taken in an emergency…

6. The 2005 Act • Instruction, training and supervision of employees; …..including in particular, information and instructions relating to … the measures to be taken in an emergency.

7. The 2005 Act • Section 11 - provide the necessary measures to be taken appropriate to the place of work ….for fire fighting and the evacuation of employees and any other individual present in the place of work…..

8. The 2005 Act • Section 12 – others present • Section 15 – persons in control – including landlords, …. to maintain or repair a place of work or the means of access thereto or egress therefrom • Section 19 .. R.As and the continuous review

9. The 2005 Act • Sections 8,9 10…. Sufficient information, training and supervision .. in a form or manner that is likely to be understood.. • …that employees are protected against the dangers that specifically affect them ..

10. General Application .Regulations 2007 • Regulation 25 … an employer shall ensure that places of work, where necessary, are organised to take account of persons at work with disabilities, in particular as regards doors, passageways, staircases, showers, washbasins, lavatories and workstations used or occupied directly by these persons”

11. Other Legislation • Building Control Act • Building Regulations • Fire Services Act • Indoor Events Act • Disability Act

12. Guidance and Codes of Practice • NDA – Promoting Safe Egress and Evacuation for People with Disabilities • GARs – guidance HSA • Technical Guidance Section B of Building Regulations • C o P for Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Buildings – BS 9999 • Centre of Excellence for Universal Design

13. Evacuation – at all stages • Design Build • The Human Factor Fit Out • Occupy and Manage

14. There’s Planning…… There’s Real Planning There’s Hoping • Informed by data • Drafted by competent people • Involves others / checks needs • Communicated to everyone • Tested regularly • Updated regularly

15. Barriers to effective evacuation planning • Making assumptions • Lacking competence • Over emphasis on documenting • Under emphasis on testing and updating • Not taking account of the Human Factor

16. Our Experience • Examples of plans built on assumptions • Small workplaces – detection / alarm systems • Inadequate revisions for changes

17. Our experience • Refuge areas - inadequate plans • Exits obstructed • Inadequate sign in policies • Lack of understanding of protocols • Adjoining premises not included in assessment

18. Consequences Shell International – Fined £300,000 + £45,000 costs Blocked escape routes and fire exits; defective fire doors; excessive fire loading Fire risk assessment not reviewed or updated in almost 4 years

19. So… planning is the key • Active Plans – emphasis on the planning rather than the plan • Accountabilities clear • Personal needs addressed / and or anticipated • Review; Revise; Communicate

20. Evacuating people safely and quickly depends on Making the plan fit the people!