i think you have to bear in mind that the only case where they would not be allowed to return to the building is if there was an actual fire. More often than not it will be a false alrm or an incident that is quickly dealt with.

But if you did have a fire and people couldn't collect belongings as the fire is still in progress or the fire service won't allow access for safety reasons. then no doubt someone or a samll group will always carry a mobile phone so they could themn lend this to others to arrange to be picked up by family members etc. depending on the size of the site and number of buildings and employees then you could look at going to another building on site so long as it is remote from the incident and with F&R say so.

i would say if you are dealing with adults then sensible they should be able to make arrangements amongst them selves as i always carry my car keys and mobile so i could give a lift to other staff members. let common sense prevail. the only real issue is if you are dealing with children or elderly but as you don't state this i won't go into alternatives with this.

You employee adults so they should be able to make their own arrangements with minimal assistance from the company who will be busy dealing with the fire service.

Phil

We use a comprehensive business continuity plan which we test every year in a desk top exercise. Part of the brief is looking after the employees, contacting taxi firms, getting them out of the weather etc. The exercise can be very revealing when the 'what ifs? come to light. For example, what if the place you were taking your staff to ended up being evacuated too? What if your house key is in your jacket, and the only other one is with your wife, in Aberdeen? Luverly stuff.

We allow staff to take their immediate personal belongings with them as long as they can collect it as they leave their workstation or en route (the coat-rack is adj. the office exit door). This would include men's jackets and ladies' handbags so the majority of our people would have their money, phones, keys and credit cards with them as we assemble outside. Please don't tell me that allowing evacuating staff to pick up such stuff puts them at risk - the last test evacuation we had was achieved in 54 seconds.

I am sure we would deal sympathetically with special cases where staff could not get home etc. and we would arrange transport etc. at the company's expense.

I have to say coats are the biggest issue for my employer. The operation is 24/7 and as such, colder/wetter weather can be expected for the night shifts

In one town centre location there is very little shelter at night when most neighbours are closed, or in the case of a nearby hotel, are not willing to engage with us even in respect of using their underground car park as a shelter (or space blanket store/distribution point)during inclement weather.

As Phil says, as adults, staff should be able to help each other with mobile phones and even cash (or though we do have a sum of cash which is grabbed during an evacuation for such purposes).

However keeping people dry/warm is the biggest headache and something we have only partially resolved

Messy - they are still at work...... and this is foreseable..