Warehouse Emergency Evacuation Roll Call Protocol

To establish a standardized, repeatable procedure for conducting a full emergency evacuation roll call in a warehouse environment. This protocol ensures that every person on-site — employees, contractors, and visitors — is positively accounted for within 15 minutes of alarm activation. The procedure eliminates guesswork during high-stress events, provides emergency responders with a verified headcount, and reduces the risk of search-and-rescue operations for individuals who may have already evacuated.

This SOP applies to all warehouse operations, distribution centres, and storage facilities operating under Ryxen client sites in British Columbia. It covers single-story and mezzanine-level warehouses with up to six defined evacuation zones. The protocol is triggered by any activation of the building fire alarm system, a verbal evacuation order from a designated safety officer, or a drill announced by management. It does not cover high-rise evacuation, chemical plume shelter-in-place events, or seismic response — those scenarios require separate SOPs.

• LOTOLockout/Tagout all powered industrial trucks (forklifts, pallet jacks, order pickers) at the charging station or designated parking spot before evacuating. Do not attempt to park a lift truck mid-aisle — leave it in a safe position with forks lowered and brakes set.
• PPEAll personnel must wear high-visibility safety vests during evacuation drills and actual events. Zone wardens must additionally carry a whistle and a laminated zone roster sheet on a clipboard. No one is permitted to re-enter the building for any reason until the all-clear is declared by the incident commander.
• EXITNever use elevators during an evacuation. Proceed to the nearest marked exit — do not stop to retrieve personal belongings, tools, or documentation. If the primary exit is blocked by smoke or fire, use the secondary exit indicated on the evacuation map posted at each zone.
• COMMSZone wardens must maintain clear radio discipline on the designated evacuation channel (Ch. 3). No non-safety traffic is permitted on that channel during an active evacuation. If radio communication fails, wardens must use hand signals and whistle blasts (three short blasts = 'report to ICP') to coordinate.

• Pre-printed zone roster sheets (laminated or sealed in a clear document protector) — one per zone warden + one master copy at the Incident Command Post (ICP).
• Clipboard with attached pen and high-visibility lanyard for each zone warden and the roll-call coordinator.
• Two-way radio (UHF) with headset, programmed to the dedicated evacuation channel (Ch. 3). Minimum of 6 units: one per zone warden, one for the roll-call coordinator, one for the incident commander.
• High-visibility safety vest (ANSI Class 2 or 3) for each zone warden — colour-coded by zone: Zone A = Yellow, Zone B = Orange, Zone C = Green, Zone D = Blue, Zone E = Red, Zone F = Purple.
• Whistle or air horn — backup attention signal for each zone warden if radio communication fails.
• Incident command vest (red, with "INCIDENT COMMANDER" printed on back) for the roll-call coordinator.
• Backup paper roster master list — stored in the emergency kit box located at the main entrance (north wall, inside the red weatherproof cabinet).
• Assembly zone signs — red-and-white striped poles with zone letter (A–F) positioned at each assembly area, visible from 50 metres.