Fact Sheet on Obtaining and Using Employee Medical Information as Part of Emergency Evacuation Procedures

2. How may an employer identify individuals who may require assistance?

There are three ways that an employer may obtain information:

• After making a job offer, but before employment begins, an employer may ask all individuals whether they will need assistance during an emergency.

• An employer also may periodically survey all of its current employees to determine whether they will require assistance in an emergency, as long as the employer makes it clear that self-identification is voluntary and explains the purpose for requesting the information.

• Finally, whether an employer periodically surveys all employees or not, it may ask employees with known disabilities if they will require assistance in the event of an emergency. An employer should not assume, however, that everyone with an obvious disability will need assistance during an evacuation. For example, many individuals who are blind may prefer to walk down stairs unassisted. People with disabilities are generally in the best position to assess their particular needs.

An employer should inform all individuals who are asked about their need for emergency assistance that the information they provide will be kept confidential and shared only with those who have responsibilities under the emergency evacuation plan. (See Question 4 below.)