COVER STORY THE TIME IS NOW The world is changing, not only are buildings getting higher but more
people with disabilities are joining the workforce. It ’s therefore imperative to reconsider emergency evacuation strategies, says Evac+Chair.
The latest trends suggest it’s time to rethink evacuation strategies. Skylines dominated by high- rise buildings, more people with disabilities in our workforces and the risk of terrorism – they all point to the need for a review of custom and practice.
The health and safety issues around high-rise buildings have been brought into sharp focus by high-profile incidents such as the Grenfell Fire.
Everyday instances also serve to make safe evacuation a priority. Take for example, the worker unable to descend from the co-working space on the 20th floor of an office block when the fire alarms go off and the lifts are shut down. Alternatively, the employee in a wheelchair who waits patiently for someone to help take them to ground floor in an evacuation chair and the rising panic when they realise no one is coming. This may be because the people responsible don’t understand it’s their responsibility or they haven’t been trained in what to do.
A RAPIDLY EVOLVING WORKFORCE REQUIRES
NEW PLANS Workforces are changing according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), with figures highlighting that the number of people with disabilities who are in employment has been increasing since 2013.
Between July-September 2013 and July-September 2018:
• the number of people with disabilities, in employment, increased by 970,000, to 3.9 million - which is a statistically significant increase of 34%
• in contrast, during the same period, the number of people in employment without disabilities, increased by just over 1.1 million – a 4% rise
This means that almost half of the growth in employment levels over the last five years is due to people with disabilities joining the British workforce.
SIMPLE CHANGES CAN MAKE A BIG See live demonstrations of
Evac+Chair at this year’s
Safety & Health Expo London,
18–20 June on SH3056
DIFFERENCE This trend towards a more inclusive workforce is welcome news and one that the Government is committed to continue. As businesses adapt to make themselves attractive to employees with disabilities, fire procedures as well as broader health and safety policies, need to adjust.
Emergency planning needs to be designed around the specific needs of an organisation – both its employees and any visitors it may have.
Evac+Chair is on a mission to address this issue by raising awareness and challenging organisations to keep pace with change by protecting their most vulnerable employees, any visitors and other building users.
Companies can easily access advice and information from Evac+Chair on how to adapt to the changes. A free site survey will help identify risk areas and develop a plan of action that will reassure all building users and underpin fully compliant procedures in the future.
QUALITY COUNTS When it comes to saving lives, there is absolutely no room for compromise.
The highest international standards are used to ensure Evac+Chair’s products pass the most rigorous tests. As potentially life-saving products, outstanding quality must always be paramount.
The Evac+Chair is classified within the EU as a Class 1 medical device.
It must conform to the provisions
of the Medical Devices Regulations EU 2017/745. This requires that all such products carry the CE mark which is recognised worldwide as a sign of quality.
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