We have an employee who suffers with PTSD where if he hears a loud noise he either runs or freezes.  His PEEP is being developed, however I didn't know if anyone else had experience of this and could assist in how we manage it?

Thanks in advance.

His plan does not cover this element of detail besides stating the effect of loud noises. 

Do we just remove him from the situation when carrying out out a practice and verbally refresh him... but then I am concerned about those who try to help him during an actual evacution event (Fire Wardens, any Buddies, other staff etc) having to make a judgement whether to leave him there and go themselves if he is in danger, their time delay, and of course how much can the company exercise their duty of care to him during an emergency evacuation if we know he can freeze?

Are you speaking to the person to develop their PEEP? If so then I recomend you ensure you know how to approach someone with PTSD. If the are diagnosed and receiving treatement, then it may be that their therapist can help them to deveop their plan. In terms of EAP support, not all EAPs will have relevant support. If they offer couselling rather than CBT they are likley not to be able to help.

The question is how does the minder move the person when they freeze...and it is more complicated than you think...the only other suggestion I have is to have more frequent drills in that area and ensure the person affected is involved so that it comes familiar and routine...I will look out some of the training material we had for our mental health first aiders, as we had a number of employees from the Bosnia conflict in Serbia that had ben affected by similar noises...and send you a pm.

like I said...more complicated that just shoving the person out of the door...there is the real threat that the person could turn violent and injure themselves and others... 

Originally Posted by: stevedm

The question is how does the minder move the person when they freeze...and it is more complicated than you think...the only other suggestion I have is to have more frequent drills in that area and ensure the person affected is involved so that it comes familiar and routine...I will look out some of the training material we had for our mental health first aiders, as we had a number of employees from the Bosnia conflict in Serbia that had ben affected by similar noises...and send you a pm.

Thank you for this, I look forward to receiving it.  We are at exactly this position.  I can't expect the two designated 'buddies' to shove him out when he could be a risk to himself or others (although the distance isn't far), also I don't want to accept just leaving him and reporting to the assembly point his location.  There is no safe place of refuge that is robust enough (and would he even go to it?), although I have left him to think about this possibility and also the option of wearing hearing protection (earplugs) on his person all the time (in pocket/pouch) and wear it to help him feel more in control to be able to evacuate.

I am thinking this comes under reasonable adjustments etc so I really want to get this right.  I like the idea of making practices more frequent, thanks for that.