The survey of 100 HR directors and managers, who are responsible for the safety of their employees, reported that 35% (more than one in three) said that wheelchair users or mobility-impaired employees within their company did not have a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP), which is required in accordance with fire safety legislation.
Just over half (51%) of companies have the necessary equipment to assist disabled and mobility-impaired employees in an evacuation, and fewer than 15% of the companies with equipment use it during emergency evacuation drills, indicating a stark lack of preparation for evacuation procedures in the workplace.
Mark Wallace, MD of Evac+Chair International, said: "As paralympic athletes prepare to champion British hearts and minds on our television screens, and greater attention is paid to the profile of disability in the UK, it is still easy to forget that even things such as a flight of stairs can present a huge obstacle to some workers.
"This survey shows that many employers in the UK still make inadequate provision for disabled staff and this needs to be urgently addressed. Emergency evacuations are a stressful time for everyone involved. However, for mobility-impaired staff it represents an even greater worry. In order to reduce stress, all staff should be fully trained and competent using evacuation equipment to help people evacuate a building safely and efficiently. If they are not, then the usefulness of the equipment is nullified."
According to the research, 62% of staff are unfamiliar with any equipment for safe evacuation of those who are mobility impaired, which would indicate that there is an obvious need to ensure all companies practice with equipment during drills.
Responding to the survey findings, Jim Norman, equality manager at the Disability Network, added: "Everyone who enters a building must be able to leave it safely in an emergency and assemble at a place of safety. People with disabilities may need some arrangements in place to make use of evacuation equipment or have assistance to help them in emergencies. This research shows that many disabled workers are still facing discrimination from their employers through their inadequate provision for a safe evacuation.
"Employers are also failing to comply with fire safety legislation and could face prosecution."
