Leuchie is committed to providing a safe place of work and safe access and egress within all parts of the workplace. Safe access and egress include movement in and out of the workplace and within the workplace. As an employer we have a duty to provide and maintain, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe access to and egress from the workplace under the health and safety at work act 1974.
Employers have a duty to ensure that the basic structure of the workplace is safe e.g., flooring is sound and free from obstructions and the suitability of lighting.
Regulation 5 of the construction (health, safety and welfare) Regulations 1996 requires safe access and egress to and from the workplace. Regulation 12 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires that workplace floors and traffic route surfaces are suitable for purpose.
When assessing suitability of means of access and egress, factors that need to be taken into consideration include obstructions, distance of travel, and width/size of passageways, stairs and doorways.
This policy covers the following –
- Access to and egress from the workplace
- Routes through working areas
- Accessibility of storage areas
- Emergency exit routes & evacuation chairs
- Use of access equipment such as lifts, and ladders
- Restrictions to hazardous areas or areas of higher security
- Temporary access arrangements
- External pathways and roadways around the building
Arrangements for securing the health and safety of employees and volunteers
Leuchie in consultation with its employees and volunteers will ensure that articles or substances do not impede safe access and egress in the workplace and objects which may restrict safe movement are removed immediately.
Visitors and contractors are asked to report to reception on arrival where they will be asked to sign themselves on to the premises. Contractors are the responsibility of the staff member who arranged their visit, and this staff member is responsible for ensuring they work within our procedures whilst they are on the premises. They are also responsible for ensuring they evacuate the building in the event of the fire alarm sounding.
Employees are required to report any situation where safe access or egress is restricted or obstructed, which they cannot personally rectify to their line manager who will arrange for the appropriate action to be taken.
Where work is taking place around the outside of the building which may impact on staff and guests then this will be communicated to staff and guests and any warning notices required will be displayed.
Safe access and egress can be achieved by following basic precautions such as ensuring high standards of housekeeping, carrying out regular checks of routes and reporting obstructions or safety hazards immediately.
Procedure
Safe access and egress can be achieved by –
- Not storing objects on the floors or in corridors. Clearing away all equipment once you are finished using it.
- Carrying out regular inspections of walkways to ensure they are free from obstructions. If you spot obstructions during the normal course of your day, please remove it or report it immediately.
- Dispose of waste regularly to outside refuse area and cardboard boxes to outside the garage to be taken to the local refuse site.
- Regularly check the suitability of the lighting. If you have an issue with the lighting in your area, then please report it immediately – to the Head of Services.
- Ensure the flooring is suitable and is in good condition. All staff are responsible for reporting defects noted immediately.
- Check there is sufficient space to move freely before carrying out your task.
- Monitor any contractors to ensure their equipment is not affecting safe access and egress. Report any issues to the staff member who arranged for the contractor to be on site.
- Ensure that any equipment required for safe access and egress is maintained and is in good working order.
- Do not remove from their designated areas evacuation equipment which is required for the safe exit of guests from the upper floors in the event of an emergency.
- Please report immediately any defects noted with any of the passenger lifts.