Last week one of our trainers had just completed their first training session of the day on the correct use of a GLOBEX evacuation chair at national high street retailer when this happened.
Whilst waiting for the second session to begin the fire alarm sounded and the building was evacuated.
When at the assembly point they spotted one of the attendees on the training session evacuating a mobility impaired person in the evacuation chair. Like fire extinguishers, many people think evacuation equipment is a needless expense and will never be used, this just goes to show, anything can at any time, and it is essential to be prepared.
We can not emphasise enough the importance of checking that suitable and sufficient provisions are in place to ensure the safe evacuation of mobility impaired persons from all buildings in the event of an emergency.
Not just Responsible Persons and Duty Holders, everyone should take 5 minutes and check:
Do you provide access to upper or lower levels of your building ?
Do you have appropriate documented emergency procedures ?
Do you have a PEEP/GEEP process in place ?
Do you have suitable evacuation equipment ?
Do you have a sufficient number of evacuation equipment in the right locations ?
Do you have a suitable number of trained operators to use the evacuation equipment provided and do they practice?
Do you have your evacuation equipment maintained at least annually ?
Do you provide refresher training at least annually ?
Are you satisfied you could evacuate mobility impaired persons from you building without depending on the Fire Service ?
If the answer in NO to any of the questions you must take action now to ensure lives are not at risk and you are meeting statutory obligations.
If you have concerns about evacuation procedures from your building don’t be afraid to ask.
If you would like advice, a free no obligation site survey, demonstration or quotation please do not hesitate to contact us.
Comments