Evacuation Diagram Requirements in Western Australia: What the Law Says
If you operate a workplace in Western Australia, you are legally required to have evacuation diagrams displayed throughout your facility. But what exactly does the law require, and what are the consequences of non-compliance? This guide provides a plain-English explanation of the legal framework governing evacuation diagrams in WA.
The Primary Legal Obligation: Regulation 3.10
In Western Australia, the primary legal requirement for evacuation diagrams comes from Regulation 3.10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. This regulation applies to employers, main contractors, self-employed persons, and persons in control of a workplace.
Regulation 3.10 requires that these persons must:
- Develop an evacuation procedure for fire or other emergencies at the workplace
- Display the evacuation procedure and a diagram showing exits and the position in relation to exits, clearly and prominently at the workplace, where practicable
- Practice the evacuation procedure at reasonable intervals, where practicable
- Train persons who would be required to help control or extinguish a fire, and provide appropriate protective clothing and equipment
This regulation is not optional guidance — it is a legal obligation enforceable by WorkSafe Western Australia. Failure to comply can result in improvement notices, prohibition notices, and significant financial penalties.
The Technical Standard: AS 3745-2010
While Regulation 3.10 establishes the legal obligation to have evacuation diagrams, it does not specify in detail what those diagrams must contain. The technical requirements are set out in Australian Standard AS 3745-2010 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities.
AS 3745-2010 is the nationally recognised standard for emergency planning in organisations. It specifies:
- The content that must appear on evacuation diagrams
- The format and symbols to be used
- Where diagrams must be displayed
- How diagrams must be oriented
- How often diagrams must be reviewed
- The documentation requirements for the review process
Although AS 3745-2010 is a voluntary standard (not directly referenced in WA legislation), compliance with it is widely accepted as the benchmark for meeting the legal obligations under Regulation 3.10. WorkSafe WA inspectors use AS 3745-2010 as the reference point when assessing whether an employer's evacuation diagrams meet the regulatory requirement.
What Workplaces Are Covered?
Regulation 3.10 applies to all workplaces in Western Australia. This includes:
| Workplace Type | Covered by Regulation 3.10? |
|---|---|
| Offices and commercial buildings | Yes |
| Warehouses and industrial facilities | Yes |
| Retail premises | Yes |
| Schools and educational institutions | Yes |
| Childcare centres | Yes (also subject to NQF requirements) |
| Aged care facilities | Yes |
| Hotels and hospitality venues | Yes |
| Medical and healthcare facilities | Yes |
| Construction sites | Yes |
| Mining operations | Yes (also subject to mining-specific regulations) |
There is no minimum size threshold — even small workplaces with only a handful of employees are required to have evacuation procedures and diagrams.
Additional Requirements for Specific Sectors
Childcare Centres: In addition to Regulation 3.10, childcare centres in WA are subject to the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, which require evacuation diagrams as part of the service's emergency and evacuation procedures. The National Quality Framework requires that these procedures be rehearsed regularly and that diagrams be displayed in all areas of the service.
Public Buildings: Under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 and associated regulations, certain public buildings in WA (including cinemas, licensed premises, and other high-risk public buildings) are required to have emergency plans that satisfy Australian Standard 3745. This is enforced by the Department of Health WA.
High-Rise Buildings: The Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the National Construction Code (NCC) impose additional requirements on high-rise buildings, including requirements for fire safety systems and emergency procedures that interact with the evacuation diagram requirements.
What WorkSafe WA Inspectors Look For
When a WorkSafe WA inspector visits your workplace, they will assess your evacuation diagrams against the following criteria:
Presence: Are evacuation diagrams displayed in the workplace? Are they in prominent locations near exits and in common areas?
Accuracy: Do the diagrams accurately reflect the current layout of the workplace? Are all exits, evacuation routes, and emergency equipment locations correctly shown?
Currency: Are the diagrams up to date? Do they show the current date of review and a next review date?
Compliance with AS 3745-2010: Do the diagrams contain all the required elements, including the 'You Are Here' marker, assembly area, legend, and emergency contact information?
Physical condition: Are the diagrams in good physical condition, clearly readable, and displayed at the correct height (1200–1600mm above floor level)?
If an inspector identifies deficiencies, they may issue an improvement notice requiring you to rectify the issues within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply with an improvement notice can result in prosecution and significant penalties.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Non-compliance with Regulation 3.10 is a breach of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984. The consequences can include:
- Improvement notices requiring compliance within a specified timeframe
- Prohibition notices stopping work activities until compliance is achieved
- Infringement notices with financial penalties
- Prosecution for serious or repeated breaches, with penalties of up to $500,000 for corporations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020
Beyond regulatory consequences, non-compliant or absent evacuation diagrams represent a genuine safety risk. In the event of an emergency, occupants who cannot find or understand evacuation diagrams may be injured or killed. This creates significant civil liability exposure for employers.
Insurance Implications
Many commercial property and public liability insurance policies contain clauses requiring compliance with relevant safety legislation and standards. If an incident occurs at your workplace and it is found that your evacuation diagrams were non-compliant, your insurer may reduce or deny your claim on the basis that you failed to meet your legal obligations.
How Ready Set Rescue WA Can Help
Ready Set Rescue WA prepares AS 3745-2010 compliant evacuation diagrams for Perth workplaces of all sizes and types. Our service includes:
- Site assessment or online design service (depending on your situation)
- Full compliance with AS 3745-2010 requirements
- Documentation of the review process for your compliance records
- Printing and installation services across the Perth metro area
- Ongoing review reminders to ensure your diagrams remain current
We also offer a complimentary review of your existing evacuation diagrams to identify any gaps against the AS 3745-2010 requirements.
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