The Hidden Gaps in Emergency Preparedness: Why Duty of Care in Evacuations Still Falls Short

In an era where risk management is a cornerstone of operational resilience, many organisations still underestimate the critical importance of having a compliant, well-rehearsed evacuation strategy.

The safe evacuation of people during emergencies — whether due to fire, chemical incidents, terrorism, or natural disasters — is not just a procedural obligation, but a legal and moral duty. Yet, far too many organisations remain unaware of the legal frameworks governing this duty, or worse, operate under the dangerous illusion that “it will never happen to us.”

The Legal Blind Spot: Compliance Gaps in Evacuation Protocols
One of the most pressing issues is that many organisations simply do not know what the law requires of them when it comes to emergency preparedness. Health and safety legislation in most countries (such as the UK’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 or OSHA standards in the U.S.) mandates that employers must provide safe means of escape for all employees — including those with disabilities — and must regularly review, maintain, and rehearse these provisions.
However, awareness of these obligations is often lacking, especially in small to medium enterprises where health and safety responsibilities may be just one of many hats worn by facilities managers or HR teams. This knowledge gap leads to poor planning, unfit-for-purpose equipment, or evacuation strategies that do not account for real-world complexities.

“It Will Never Happen to Us”: The Complacency Culture
A significant psychological barrier to compliance is the common belief that disasters are rare, unlikely, or only happen to other people. This mindset fosters complacency, especially in office environments perceived as low-risk. As a result, evacuation planning is frequently deprioritised or treated as a box-ticking exercise.
This overconfidence leaves organisations dangerously exposed. In real-world crises, it's often these unprepared companies that suffer the most — not just in human cost, but in legal liability, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

Equipment Without Training: A False Sense of Security
Another recurring problem is the presence of evacuation equipment — such as evacuation chairs, signage, or alarms — without the necessary training, maintenance, or regular testing. Organisations often invest in the hardware to meet perceived legal requirements, but fail to ensure that staff are properly trained to use it.
In practice, this can be worse than having nothing at all. Untrained staff can become liabilities during an emergency, causing delays or even injuries. Moreover, evacuation equipment that has not been maintained can malfunction, leaving vulnerable people stranded and exposing the organisation to severe legal consequences.

Building a Culture of Safety and Responsibility
To truly fulfil their duty of care, organisations must shift their approach from reactive to proactive. This involves:
•    Regular compliance audits to ensure legal obligations are understood and met.
•    Evacuation drills that simulate a variety of scenarios, not just the “standard” fire escape.
•    Comprehensive staff training on the use of evacuation aids and emergency roles.
•    Inclusive planning that ensures accessibility for employees with disabilities or temporary impairments.
•    Maintenance schedules for all equipment and systems involved in evacuation.

The goal should be to embed evacuation readiness into the organisation’s safety culture — where planning is seen as a vital responsibility, not a burden or formality.

Conclusion: A Duty Not to Be Deferred
Safe evacuation is not just about compliance — it’s about leadership, accountability, and humanity. The legal frameworks are there to guide and protect, but real preparedness comes from recognising the potential risks and acting decisively before disaster strikes. For organisations that truly value their people, there is no excuse for being caught short.

If you would like any support with the above including an initial FREE Evacuation Risk Assessment, please contact KFive Evacuation.