Dave C only ever come across those systems used in hotels. They pick up the sound of alarms and then vibrate, telling the person that their is an activation. This is just one: http://www.easylinkuk.co.uk/page19.html and I have no connection with them. Plenty more if you search, but hopefully someone with direct experience of managing this will be able to help.

Im assuming [which is always a recipe for disaster] that your fire and/or general risk assessment will have identified this as an issue and the appropriate control to be taken, I think my question would be why it is not practical to install visual warning in the out buildings this person works in? We have a number of areas where where both audible and visual alarms are required, as this was determined to be a common solution to this issue. You may want to consdier a buddy system for the individual when working remotely in an out building, however, the question appears to pose one person, have you considered a second employee with hearing difficulties or visitors etc, this may re-enforce the need for collective control opposed to individual, and additional leverage to justify cost to the company.

Didn’t intend any offence in my comment, just know from personal experience, that my eldest daughter, where she works that the staff would make sure see was aware of a fire alarm. Yes, she is hearing impaired.

Thanks to someone else recommending this guide I purchased one and find it extremely useful, it does mention means of escape and PEEPs for all types of disabled persons. Well worth a fiver (£5).

We have a deaf forklift truck driver at our Distribution hub. He operates in a small area and we have in place a number of flashing beacons linked to the fire alarm system - not only in his work area but also in the toilet and canteen areas. He is buddied up with two fellow workers so in the event of an incident or accident, whereby he has not seen the beacon they will take him to a place of safety. They work in his area so are not put at risk by being his 'buddy'. He is completely deaf and lip reads (a terrific skill we have found when there are managers on site!!!). HSE have actually praised us on our risk assessment, safe working procedures and physical measures in place. The guy himself has worked for us for many years and feels we have looked after him well and ensured at all times his safety. I am sure I will get a few telling me deaf people shouldn't drive FLTs but I dont have the room to describe in full what we do - save to say our occ health team have no issues as our controls are all in place and the HSE are happy.

There are several pager systems that can be linked into fire alarm systems and other systems. I have used one in the past for a person working on his own wearing ear defenders, this meant that he may not hear an evacuation alarm or tannoy announcements. Not sure if I can name the company, but pm me if you need more information.

Dave have you ascertained that the person cannot hear the alarm? Many people with a hearing disability can actually feel the alarm. Sounds strange but if you run a practice and they need to be alerted then you can go on to the next stage. a lot depends on the degree of deafness and the sensory input they receive. They may be offended if you go to all the trouble to get it right without their input. When runnign the pracitce you may want to ask them to eb in differnt places eg toilet and/work site/rest room etc beacuse there may be differences in tone and volume. Sheryl

The RNID have loads of things and advice either on their website or by telephone or text phone Lilian

Thanks everyone for advice and comments. I have discussed in detail with this person what they can actually hear/feels and have ensured that fire drills are are carried out at frequent intervals - lots of practice! - we already have a no-lone working policy in place throughout the workplace, and have a buddy-up system well ensconced into our fire procedures in this case. The person in question felt that the buddy system was most effective and had used a pager in previous workplace but didn't find it particularly effective but I think I may well try this. I have also discussed with our fire eqpt provider and keep an open mind on what products are out there. Thanks again.