Evacuation procedures form an essential part of ensuring workplace safety, particularly in environments like factories and large buildings, where the potential risks are higher. In South Africa, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS Act) mandates stringent safety regulations aimed at safeguarding employees from potential hazards. The design and implementation of evacuation procedures is a crucial aspect of this legislation, providing a systematic way to prepare for emergencies such as fires, chemical spills, and other unforeseen disasters.
Building and factory owners, managers, and facilities managers must not only comply with the law but also ensure that their evacuation plans are efficient, reliable, and periodically updated. Here we cover an overview of the design and implementation of evacuation procedures.
Understanding the Legal Framework: OHS Act 85 of 1993
The OHS Act, introduced in 1993, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that covers all aspects of workplace health and safety. It requires employers to ensure that the workplace is safe and that risks to health are minimised. Part of these obligations includes the creation of clear, actionable evacuation procedures to protect employees and visitors in case of emergencies.
The Act specifically mandates that:
- Employers must provide a safe working environment – This includes creating evacuation procedures that account for all possible hazards, such as fire, toxic gas leaks, floods, or structural collapses.
- Regular risk assessments must be conducted – Employers are required to periodically assess the workplace for new risks or hazards, updating evacuation procedures accordingly.
- Employees must be adequately trained – It is essential that all employees are informed and trained on evacuation procedures and know how to respond to emergencies.
Key Considerations in Designing Evacuation Procedures
The design of an effective evacuation procedure involves a thorough understanding of the building or factory layout, potential hazards, and the number of people typically present in the workspace. Below are the key factors that need to be considered:
1. Risk Assessment
The first step in developing an evacuation plan is conducting a detailed risk assessment. This involves identifying all potential emergencies that could necessitate an evacuation. In a factory, this might include fires, explosions, machinery malfunctions, and chemical spills. In an office or multi-story building, fire is typically the primary concern, but power outages, structural issues, or terrorist threats may also be relevant.
Each identified risk must be paired with an appropriate response. For example, chemical spills in factories may require designated hazardous material escape routes and procedures for safely handling affected personnel. Risk assessment also involves understanding the characteristics of the building’s occupants, including employees with disabilities or special needs.
2. Evacuation Routes
Once risks are identified, evacuation routes must be mapped out. These routes should be clearly marked and designed to ensure safe and efficient evacuation.
Important considerations include:
- Route Accessibility: Ensure that all routes are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes wheelchair ramps, accessible stairways, and clear signage.
- Multiple Exits: Depending on the size of the building, multiple exits should be designated to avoid bottlenecks during an emergency. Employees should be familiar with alternative routes in case primary routes are blocked.
- Distance and Timing: Routes must be designed to allow the quickest escape, particularly in high-risk areas like chemical processing plants. Evacuation drills can be used to measure the effectiveness of escape routes and ensure compliance with recommended evacuation times.
3. Emergency Exits and Assembly Points
Emergency exits must be clearly marked, well-lit, and unobstructed. In larger facilities, there should be multiple exits. These should be strategically placed so that all parts of the building are within a short distance from an emergency exit.
Once employees evacuate the building, they should proceed to a designated assembly point. This point must be at a safe distance from the building and potential hazards. The assembly point allows for headcounts and ensures that emergency responders can focus on rescue efforts for those still inside.
4. Fire and Emergency Equipment
The design of evacuation procedures must consider the availability and placement of emergency equipment. This could include fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and alarms. These must be maintained and regularly checked to ensure they are functional in an emergency.
Additionally, facilities should have clear policies on who is responsible for using emergency equipment before evacuation. Employees designated to use fire extinguishers, for example, must be trained on how to safely and effectively use them.
5. Communication and Alarm Systems
Effective communication is critical during an evacuation. Alarm systems should be loud enough to alert all individuals in the building. They should also be connected to backup power supplies in case of a power outage. Evacuation signals must be clear and distinct, avoiding any confusion with other alarms or signals used in the facility.
Two-way communication devices like radios or public address systems should be used to provide real-time instructions during an evacuation. Employees should be trained to remain calm and follow instructions from emergency coordinators or evacuation team leaders.
Implementing the Evacuation Procedures
After designing the evacuation procedures, the next step is implementation, which includes training, drilling, and continuous improvement.
1. Training
The OHS Act mandates that employers ensure employees are trained on evacuation procedures. This training should include:
- How to recognise evacuation alarms.
- The location of emergency exits and assembly points.
- Use of firefighting equipment, where appropriate.
- Special evacuation procedures for specific risks (e.g., chemical spills).
- Protocols for assisting injured or disabled employees during evacuation.
Employees should undergo initial training when hired and regular refresher courses thereafter, especially if new hazards are introduced.
2. Drills
Regular evacuation drills must be conducted. The drills ensure employees are familiar with the procedures and to test the effectiveness of the plan. Drills should be conducted at least twice a year. If there are any significant changes to the building layout or employee count, a drill should be held.
Drills also provide an opportunity to test alarm systems, communication protocols, and the readiness of emergency coordinators. Timed drills help identify potential bottlenecks in the evacuation process and areas where additional training or signage may be needed.
Under the South African Occupational Health & Safety Act 85 of 1993, evacuation drills should typically be conducted at least twice a year. This will ensure that all employees are familiar with the procedures and prepared for emergencies. However, the frequency can vary depending on several factors:
- Nature of the Workplace: In high-risk environments such as factories handling hazardous materials, more frequent drills (e.g., quarterly) may be advisable to address specific risks like chemical spills, fires, or machinery malfunctions.
- Size and Complexity of the Facility: Larger and more complex buildings may require more frequent drills, particularly if there are multiple evacuation routes or floors to navigate.
- Post-Incident Drills: If an emergency incident occurs or after a failed drill, an additional drill should be scheduled to address shortcomings and ensure improvements.
While the minimum standard is twice a year, employers should assess their specific risk profile and adjust the frequency accordingly to maintain a high level of preparedness.
3. Review and Continuous Improvement
Evacuation procedures are not static and must evolve as new risks are identified. Significant changes to building layouts and staffing levels will require re-evaluation. Regular reviews, including post-drill evaluations, should be conducted to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement. Additionally, new hazards or processes that have been introduced need consideration in evacuation procedures. These should be accounted for during regular reviews.
H2: Compliance and Penalties
Non-compliance with the OHS Act regarding evacuation procedures is serious. It can lead to severe penalties, including fines, legal action, and shutdowns of non-compliant facilities. More importantly, failure to have effective evacuation procedures can result in the loss of life and damage to property. These can cause serious harm to an organisation’s reputation.
Building and factory owners must ensure they not only meet the legal requirements but also foster a culture of safety, making the workplace a secure environment for all occupants.
The design and implementation of evacuation procedures under the South African Occupational Health & Safety Act 85 of 1993 is not merely a legal requirement but a moral and practical obligation. By conducting thorough risk assessments, designing clear and accessible evacuation routes, regularly training staff, and continuously reviewing and improving procedures, building and factory owners can ensure compliance while protecting lives.
At Firebrand Group, we are a unique and fully comprehensive fire safety group of companies, offering a wide range of products and services catering for the Commercial and Industrial Property sectors in Southern Africa. We take pride in the quality of our work as it is not only passion that drives us, but the knowledge that we are saving lives and assets by educating, training and protecting our clients and their businesses. The commitment to compliance and fire protection control within the built environment has been an integral part of our core business function and our knowledge and expertise in this field has afforded us an opportunity to broaden our business scope to include Property Risk Survey solutions on behalf of insurance companies and private organisations.
