Can you remember the last time your workplace held a fire drill?
A fire drill is when the fire alarm sounds, all employees exit the building through the predetermined escape routes and assemble a safe distance from the building. Fire marshals, employees who have received fire safety training, will lead the exercise and make sure everyone gets out of the building safely and that the drill goes smoothly. The fire marshals will also take a roll call of everyone when outside at the assembly point, and they may even time the drill to see where improvements can be made.
If you don’t remember any of this happening at your workplace, and you’ve worked there a few years, it might be worth mentioning the issue to your manager.
Business owners have a responsibility for fire safety in the workplace, as well as for the health and safety of all employees. To make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do in an emergency, when a fire breaks out, business owners should organize a fire drill at least once a year. However, if the business is in a particularly high-risk industry, drills should be carried out more frequently.