Unusual drills at work!

[ZUCO]

I work for the Inland Revenue in Manchester and last week we had a bomb drill where we were told to switch off all mobile phones and we were then herded into one corner of the building (not evacuated). It seemed strange to group us all in one corner of the building, what if that's where the bomb was? They said it was the first of a series of drills that are going to be carried out.

I thought this drill was strange and then considered the drills that were carried out on 9/11 and 7/7. I'm not sure what to think of it.Should I be worried?

[Skeptic]

Into one corner of the building? That does sound odd. Is it reinforced?

If you're getting the paranoia, you could take your battery out your phone next time.

[Bongo]

Watch someone corrall me into a corner of a building when there is a bomb scare!!!

Wild horses could not drag me back in there after I had made a bolt for it... as far away as possible !

My advice to you... run like hell! They told office workers in the twin towers to go back to their offices... and look what happened to them!

[alwun]

Bongo is correct.
Whilst the IR may be paying your wages, they do not seem to be too concerned for your personal safety. You have no legal obligation to 'stand in a corner' during a bomb alert. You may instead, for example, feel under obligation to your intelligent desire to survive, which means getting out of the building. Then let them sue you for disobedience in open court if they please. As it happens there should be policies in place for evacuation to pre-arranged muster points. Also, if someone tells you to switch off your mobile phone - demand a sensible and complete explanation. The feudal age is over, at least on the mainland.

cheers Al..

[Busker]

I think H&S laws state you are responsible for your own safety don't they?

Last time I was in a building subject to a bomb scare we adjourned to the nearest pub about half a mile away. The official line was to stand in the corridoors away from the windows. Like that would have made a difference to a detonation.

I think in these situations it is important to follow your instincts as they usually prove to be right.

[wepmob2000]

[elohim]

I work in security management for a well known UK firm & can testify that it is NEVER acceptable or standard practice to stay in or near the building.

The normal procedure is the evacuate via the nearest available exit, as long as it is safe to do so.

There is no acceptable reason to herd you into an area of the building. During a bomb threat the location of the device or claimed device can sometimes be gained, either from the caller or from CCTV or physical sight.

In the instance above, it would be normal to divert people from their normal evacuation route, IF it passed or was nearby to the device.

We issue all our employees with a bomb checklist conating questions to ask if YOU receive a telephone threat of a bomb.

Do the Inland Revenue issue these to staff?

An example of a checklist can be found below.

http://www.cpni.gov.uk/docs/Bomb%20threat%20checklist.pdf

Not using a cell phone is correct.

Remember, you want to get out & away from the building as quickly & safley as possible.

El