Evacuation: Know Where to Go and How We Account for People

Know the hazard

Team: General Small Business. Topic: Emergency Preparedness.

An evacuation plan must work for the people actually in the building: employees, contractors, customers, visitors, and people who need assistance. Before an emergency, know the signal, the available routes, and the location where we account for everyone.

Use the controls

When evacuation is directed, leave by a safe route and follow the site's instructions. Do not delay to collect belongings or return for equipment. If the primary route is unsafe, use the planned alternative. Do not use elevators unless the site's emergency procedures specifically designate an appropriate system and conditions for that use.

Work within the safe plan

Go to the assigned assembly location, report to the designated person, and remain available for accountability. Tell the coordinator about anyone believed missing and their last known location; do not go back inside to search. Reentry requires authorization through the emergency process. Workers at client sites need those sites' arrangements, not just the plan for the home office. Today, we will walk through the decision from alarm to accountability and identify how someone with an access, communication, or mobility need receives assistance without improvisation during the event.

Discuss with the crew

A visitor leaves by a side door and goes directly to their car while staff gather at the front assembly area.

Question: What issue does this create?
Answer guidance: The accountability process may incorrectly identify the visitor as missing or fail to recognize their status.

Question: What should the plan address?
Answer guidance: Visitor orientation, escort responsibilities, safe assembly information, and a workable accounting method.

Prepare, act, and follow up

Leader preparation: Confirm alarms, primary and alternate exits, assembly locations, and assistance arrangements.

Put it into practice: Have each person identify a primary route, an alternative, and the correct assembly point.

Supervisor follow-up: Resolve blocked routes and test accountability during a planned drill.

Official reference: OSHA — Evacuation Plans and Procedures
https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures

Awareness briefing. Apply current site procedures and applicable requirements. This talk does not replace required qualification, practical training, exposure assessment, medical evaluation, or a written program.

Suggested session: 5-7 minutes, including discussion and activity. Prepared October 18, 2026; recheck current requirements before use.

Show the crew

Have each person identify a primary route, an alternative, and the correct assembly point.