Emergency Evacuation Plans

In our offices, we often quickly learn and frequently use the doors leading to social areas and the nearest exits to reach the garden. But do you know which exit doors you can use in case of an emergency?

In any emergency situation, the doors leading to safe areas are called emergency exit doors, and all exits directing you to these doors are referred to as emergency exit routes. Additionally, plans showing the locations of necessary firefighting equipment and first aid supplies are called emergency evacuation plans/layouts.

These evacuation plans or layouts, included in the emergency response plan prepared by the employer's representative, should be hung in areas visible to all personnel, and employees should be informed about the plans. In workplaces with multiple floors and/or multiple emergency exits, each emergency exit point should be individually addressed.

According to the Regulation on Emergency Situations in Workplaces dated 18.06.2013, the basic elements that should be included in evacuation plans are as follows:

1. Locations of emergency equipment, including those for firefighting purposes.
2. Locations of first aid supplies.
3. Evacuation plan including escape routes, assembly points, and warning systems if available.
4. Names, surnames, titles, areas of responsibility, and contact information of assigned employees and backups.
5. Contact numbers of external organizations for first aid, emergency medical intervention, rescue, and firefighting.

For the creation of these plans, you can seek services from joint health and safety units, occupational health and safety consulting firms, software packages, architectural offices, etc. Check your emergency evacuation plan and reach the nearest emergency exit as quickly as possible.

Gizem ŞİMŞEK B Class Occupational Safety Specialist Tepe Occupational Health and Safety Services Inc. (Tekirdağ Branch)