What is the best way to develop and implement an evacuation plan for your laboratory?

2 Define roles and responsibilities

The second step is to define the roles and responsibilities of the laboratory staff, managers, and emergency responders in the event of an evacuation. You should designate a laboratory emergency coordinator (LEC) who will be in charge of initiating, directing, and terminating the evacuation. The LEC should also be responsible for communicating with the emergency services, the facility management, and the other laboratories in the building. You should also assign specific tasks to the laboratory staff, such as shutting down equipment, securing materials, assisting others, and reporting to the assembly point. You should clearly document and distribute these roles and responsibilities to all the laboratory members.

3 Develop procedures and protocols

The third step is to develop the procedures and protocols for the evacuation process. You should establish the criteria and methods for initiating an evacuation, such as alarms, signals, or announcements. You should also define the routes and exits for the evacuation, taking into account the location, capacity, accessibility, and visibility of each option. You should mark and label these routes and exits with clear and consistent signs and symbols. You should also designate a safe and convenient assembly point for the laboratory staff to gather and account for after the evacuation. You should make sure that these procedures and protocols are consistent with the facility's overall emergency plan.

4 Communicate and train

The fourth step is to communicate and train the laboratory staff on the evacuation plan. You should provide them with written and verbal information on the hazards, roles, responsibilities, procedures, and protocols of the evacuation. You should also conduct regular drills and exercises to test and practice the evacuation plan. You should involve the emergency services, the facility management, and the other laboratories in the building in these drills and exercises. You should also solicit feedback and suggestions from the laboratory staff on how to improve the evacuation plan.

5 Review and update

The fifth step is to review and update the evacuation plan periodically. You should monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the evacuation plan during drills, exercises, or actual emergencies. You should also identify and address any gaps, issues, or changes that may affect the evacuation plan. These could include new or modified hazards, equipment, materials, personnel, regulations, or standards. You should also communicate and train the laboratory staff on any revisions or updates to the evacuation plan.

6 Maintain readiness

The sixth and final step is to maintain the readiness of the evacuation plan. You should ensure that the laboratory staff are familiar and comfortable with the evacuation plan. You should also ensure that the equipment, materials, signs, and symbols related to the evacuation plan are functional and accessible. You should also coordinate and cooperate with the emergency services, the facility management, and the other laboratories in the building on the evacuation plan. You should also review and update the evacuation plan regularly to keep it current and effective.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?