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Evacuation

Frequently asked questions

  1. Why should emergency evacuation planning take place?
  2. What are the types of emergencies to consider when planning evacuation procedures?
  3. Who is responsible for evacuation procedures in the workplace?
  4. What are the legislative requirements that must be met?  

1. Why should emergency evacuation planning take place?

The main objectives in emergency evacuation planning are to ensure that:

  • everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency; and
  • preparations for potential and unexpected incidents at the workplace have taken place.

2.  What are the types of emergencies to consider when planning evacuation procedures?

The types of emergencies to plan for include:

  • fire;
  • injuries;
  • rescues;
  • incidents with hazardous substances;
  • bomb threats;
  • armed confrontations; and
  • natural disasters.

3.  Who is responsible for evacuation procedures in the workplace?

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996, the employer, main contractor, self-employed person or person having control of the workplace must ensure that there is an evacuation procedure in place to protect anyone on the premises in the event of an emergency.

Evacuation procedures must be developed  in consultation with employees and safety and health representatives (if any).

4. What are the legislative requirements that must be met?

The following is a brief checklist of the legislative requirements for the person who has control of a workplace or control of the access to or egress from a workplace:

  • emergency evacuation procedures have been developed;
  • fire prevention and control equipment have been provided;
  • the evacuation procedure is practised at the workplace at regular intervals;
  • people who would be required to help control or extinguish a fire at the workplace are appropriately trained; and
  • entrances and exits are safe and all tenants and any other people at the workplace are able to exit safety, for example, the exits actually work and are not obstructed.  

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