When was the last time you looked at your emergency procedures through the eyes of someone who may need additional support? 

Most organisations have evacuation procedures in place. Fire alarms are tested, drills are carried out and policies are regularly reviewed. 

But there is another question worth asking: 

Would everyone be able to respond to an emergency in the same way? 

For some people, the answer may be no. 

Accessibility doesn’t stop at entrances, parking spaces or workplace adjustments. It should also extend to what happens during an emergency. 

 

Emergencies Can Create Different Challenges for Different People 

An evacuation procedure that works for one person may not work for another. 

For example: 

• Someone with a mobility impairment may not be able to use stairs independently

• A person who is Deaf or has hearing loss may not hear an alarm

• Someone with a visual impairment may need support navigating an unfamiliar route

• A neurodivergent employee or visitor may find alarms, crowds and sudden changes overwhelming

• Someone experiencing anxiety may become distressed in a high-pressure situation

These situations don’t mean someone cannot evacuate safely. It simply means they may require a different approach or additional support. 

 

Have You Considered Everyone? 

Emergency planning often focuses on employees, but it’s worth thinking more broadly. 

Could your procedures support: 

• Agency staff who are unfamiliar with the building? 

• New starters on their first day? 

• Visitors attending meetings? 

• Contractors working on site? 

• Service users, family members or professionals visiting your service? 

• Someone with a temporary injury, such as a broken leg? 

• Someone whose needs have changed since they joined your organisation? 

An effective emergency procedure should consider everyone who may be in your building, not just those who know it well. 

 

Would Someone Know What to Do? 

Think about the information people receive when they arrive. 

• Do new employees know where the fire exits are? 
• Are agency workers given emergency information during induction? 
• Would a visitor know where to go if an alarm sounded? 
• Would someone who cannot hear the alarm know that an evacuation is taking place? 

In an emergency, people don’t have time to search for information. The clearer your procedures are beforehand, the safer everyone will be.

 

The Importance of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) 

For some individuals, a standard evacuation procedure may not be enough.  A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is designed to identify the support someone may need to evacuate safely. 

A PEEP might consider: 

• The safest evacuation route 

• Whether assistance is required 

• Any equipment that may be needed 

• Communication requirements 

• Who will provide support during an emergency 

Importantly, PEEPs should not be treated as a one-off document. People’s circumstances, roles and workplaces can change, meaning plans should be reviewed regularly. 

 

Are Your Alarms and Communication Accessible? 

Emergency communication isn’t just about having an alarm system. 

Consider: 

• Are visual alarms available alongside audible alarms? 

• Are emergency instructions available in accessible formats? 

• Is signage clear and easy to understand? 

• Could someone understand what to do if English is not their first language? 

• Would somebody know who to approach for support? 

Accessibility often comes down to providing information in more than one way. 

 

Practice Matters Too 

Even well-written procedures can fall short if they are never tested. 

Emergency drills provide an opportunity to identify potential barriers that may otherwise go unnoticed. 

Questions to consider include: 

• Did everyone know where to go? 

• Were any routes difficult to access? 

• Did anyone require additional support? 

• Were communication methods effective? 

• Did anything cause confusion or delay? 

Sometimes, the most valuable learning comes from asking people about their experience afterwards. 

 

Accessibility Is an Ongoing Conversation 

Emergency planning should never be a tick-box exercise. 

As organisations change, buildings change and workforces evolve, it’s important to regularly ask: 

Would our procedures work for everyone who may be in our building today? 

Sometimes the answer is yes. 

Sometimes, small changes are needed. 

But asking the question is often the first step towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment. 

How Halo Staffing Can Help 

At Halo Staffing, we believe accessibility should be considered in every aspect of the workplace, including emergency planning. 

Through our Disability Confidence Consultancy, we support organisations to review their environments, identify potential barriers and consider how inclusive their policies and procedures really are. 

Because accessibility isn’t only about getting into a building. 

It’s also about ensuring everyone can leave it safely.

Learn how we can support you and your organisation by clicking the button below.