Having the right muster point is key to navigating safely through an emergency, and shouldn’t be overlooked or forgotten, even on a small worksite. It has a huge role in preventing people from running off in random directions, and allows a supervisor to quickly run through an attendance list to make sure no one is overlooked or left behind.
1. Look at the worksite map and consider all emergency scenarios
Make sure you consider how a fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, gas leak or whatever other emergency may affect your worksite. Does a muster point in one emergency put people in danger during another emergency? Consider things like trees, fences, streams, or other potential hazards.
Consider how many people may be on site at any given time and whether overcrowding may become an issue. If the worksite is large you may want to consider more than one muster point.
2. Go through all "what if's"
What if the stairway is blocked? What if the elevator is broken, what if the keycard access isn’t working? Run through all what if’s to see if your chosen point is still viable and functional.
3. Select a muster point and let everyone know
After you select a muster point, make sure to let everyone know. Remember that people need to be told more than once, so let them know multiple ways, multiple times; emails, tailgate meetings, project planning meetings, etc.
4. Mark the muster point with signage
Typical signage for a muster point is set between 4 feet to 6 feet off the ground or over 8 feet when mounting in parking lots where vehicles may obstruct the view of the sign.
It should be well-known and clearly marked to provide an easy location. Within a building or workplace, the evacuation maps should indicate the muster point as well as the evacuation route.
