COVER STORY HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
All workers are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly mitigated. The primary responsibility for this is down to employers who have a duty to consult with their employees or their representatives, on health and safety matters. Here, Evaccess focus on the areas of access and egress for all.
The Equality Act 2010 (the Act) looks at factors like race, gender, disability, age and work patterns that may affect people’s health and safety in the workplace; sometimes health and safety is used as a false excuse to justify discriminating against certain groups of workers.
We need to ensure that people can enter a building, travel between floors and have a safe and dignified means of escape. Unfortunately, some say, we can’t get people out so we won’t let them in; is that acceptable in this day and age? There are means available such as ramps, Flex Steps, lifts and stair climbers. So, there will be an option that suits your building and the individual’s needs.
We will view this looking at people with reduced mobility and look at what to consider. Looking at evacuation and covering for ‘no lifts or lifts out of action’, which then covers access. People may go in via one route but in an emergency the route may not be available, so plan ahead.
THE INDIVIDUAL What assistance do they require for a safe and dignified means of escape? If in a manual or powered wheelchair – provide a stair climber that enables them to remain in their chair and have mobility as others do. You wouldn’t take a guide dog away from its owner in an evacuation.
There are of course people who require assistance but you may not be able to identify their disability so that may be missed when looking at PEEPs. One option available is an evacuation app that everyone can complete, which
will highlight the needs of individuals and show the appropriate escape route or access route. So it is also, ideal for visitors.
STAIRS AND LANDINGS Check the sizes and request information about the most appropriate piece of equipment. With new builds, make sure evacuation staircases have landings big enough for the largest equipment available.
OPERATORS Whatever equipment you are looking at you need to ensure that you have volunteers who are willing and able to operate the equipment. This is not an issue with powered units that go up and down but it is with manual evacuation chairs.
Why would you expect your staff to take someone heavier than themselves down stairs in an evacuation chair when they would not be expected to do this normally with the implications of manual handling?
Your decision should consider all the above factors; don’t just tick a box. This is an expensive mistake as you then must purchase equipment to get people in, as a separate cost. Take advantage of site surveys by specialist companies who specialise in a full range of powered and manual evacuation equipment so you have a comprehensive choice and correct solutions. An informed initial decision process will save time, money and more importantly, consider the safety of the individual to access and egress the building with dignity.
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