Emergency Evacuation

A safe way out

Does your business have a safe way out for all employees during an emergency? And do all your employees know the evacuation plan?

Some people with disabilities may require additional assistance during an emergency evacuation, so it’s important to think ahead.

Here are some tips to create a safer workplace for everyone:

• Involve people with disabilities in the evacuation planning process to ensure that their needs are met.
• Create a comprehensive plan that addresses the needs of people with all types of disabilities including people with hearing, visual, speech, mobility and cognitive impairments.
• Ensure that your emergency evacuation plan meets the requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Develop a strategy for communicating the plan to all employees and appoint a network of people to help in the evacuation process.
• Regularly reassess the plan to ensure it meets the needs of people with disabilities as your company grows.

Think ahead! Some people with disabilities may require additional assistance during an emergency evacuation.

Next Steps

• Evaluate your company’s current emergency evacuation plan to determine if it includes evacuation plans for employees with disabilities.
• Utilize available resources for technical assistance and best practices during plan development.
• Assess your company’s emergency evacuation needs through an anonymous survey.

Resources

The Office of Disability Employment Policy provides emergency preparedness information and resources for people with disabilities.

The Job Accommodation Network offers a wide variety of job accommodation solutions and emergency preparedness technical assistance for private, federal, state and local employers.

The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities provides information about training and technical assistance, laws and regulations, local resources, and other resources.

A list of Emergency Preparedness resources compiled by Disabilityinfo.gov

National Fire Protection Agency emergency evacuation planning guide for people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Transportation provides guidance for emergency preparedness planning including plans for transportation of people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers guidance from a federal perspective, as well as an Emergency Preparedness Toolkit