Emergency routes and exits
19.—(1) Where necessary in the interests of the health and safety of any person on a construction site, a sufficient number of suitable emergency routes and exits shall be provided to enable any person to reach a place of safety quickly in the event of danger.
(2) An emergency route or exit provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall lead as directly as possible to an identified safe area.
(3) Any emergency route and exit provided in accordance with paragraph (1), and any traffic route or door giving access thereto, shall be kept clear and free from obstruction, and, where necessary, provided with emergency lighting so that such emergency route or exit may be used at any time.
(4) Any provision for emergency routes and exits made under paragraph (1) shall have regard to—
(a)the type of work for which the construction site is being used;
(b)the characteristics and size of the construction site and the number and location of places of work on that site;
(c)the plant and equipment being used;
(d)the number of persons likely to be present on the site at any one time; and
(e)the physical and chemical properties of any substances or materials on or likely to be on the site.
(5) All emergency routes or exits shall be indicated by suitable signs.