Construction sites must provide a safe means of escape for all persons, including those with mobility impairments, visual or hearing difficulties, and temporary disabilities from injuries. Standard evacuation procedures may not be sufficient for disabled persons who cannot use stairs or respond to audible alarms. This talk explains the additional measures needed to ensure everyone can evacuate safely in an emergency.
Key Hazards
Disabled persons unable to evacuate via stairs during an emergency
Hearing-impaired workers not alerted by standard audible fire alarms
Wheelchair users trapped on upper floors without evacuation provision
Temporary injuries limiting an operative's ability to self-evacuate
Control Measures
Identify all disabled persons on site during induction and develop a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP).
Designate refuge areas on upper floors where disabled persons can wait safely for assisted evacuation.
Provide visual alarm beacons alongside audible alarms for workers with hearing impairments.
Train designated fire marshals in evacuation chair use and assisted evacuation techniques.
Keep evacuation chairs available and accessible at designated refuge points on each floor.
Ensure temporary access routes and ramps remain clear and available as escape routes at all times.
Review and update PEEPs whenever an operative's condition changes or the site layout is altered.
Brief all fire wardens on the locations of refuge areas and the persons allocated to each.
Remember
Every disabled person on site must have a personal emergency evacuation plan in place
Refuge areas must be designated on upper floors for those who cannot use stairs
Visual alarm beacons must supplement audible alarms for hearing-impaired workers
Trained fire marshals must know how to use evacuation chairs and assist disabled persons
Review personal evacuation plans whenever conditions change or the site layout is altered