Posted By elaine furnivall
Hello!

I’ve recently provided ergonomic based manual handling training for non-ambulant persons during fire evacuation (with evacuation chairs).

Since the change in legislation I have only come across three companies that have considered how they address this.

I’m looking for benchmarking information on how other companies have approached this, in particular large companies with multiple buildings. Does anyone know companies that have started to address this? Have they purchased evacuation chairs (like evac+ or Ferno)? What levels of training are they providing for fire wardens/evacuation assistants to cover manual handling?

I will swap ergonomic assessment information of evacuation chair trails for those interested (it’s employee staff based user trials not academic research).

Thanks

Elaine

Posted By jackw.
Hi, We purchased a number of Evac Chairs for use in evacuating staff and clients from our offices. We also use them in our residential homes. In addition to being trained by the supplier in how to use the chair safely we also give staff a minimum manual handling curse called "safe moves" a 1 day course(our residential staff are trained to a higher level in moving and handling) Re individuals not feling "happy" in the chair and relying on others assisting them.. Sorry but my answer is tough..we have the responsibility to get them out..so long as this is done safely I am sorry but i don't se the need to spend a lot of time addressing the psychological aspects of an apparent "loss of individual control" re evacuation from a bulding. Getting them safely out should be the primary aim.


Cheers

Posted By Alan G
Do we have to supply this type of chair if your risk assessment doesn’t warrant it, i.e.; what if you do not employ disabled people and members of the public do not come into your building and the cost has to be considered as this type of chair are not that cheep.

Please advise/ comment

Alan

Posted By Charles Robinson Tech SP
The following hse report
RR314- use of carry chairs by ambulace staff may help
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr314.htm

Posted By Shelley Taylor
Hello Elaine,

I work within a large city centre building with 10 floors. My department uses PARAID to supply and maintain EVAC chairs which are situated on each floor of the building where a disabled member of staff is located. Managers are required to identify which members of their staff require assisted evacuation and complete a Personal Emergency Egress Plan (PEEP) for each one. This details the assistance a member of staff requires to exit the building in an emergency and names the individuals who will provide it. Any individuals who are required to operate an EVAC chair as part of a PEEP receive training from our in house trainer who was in turn trained by PARAID when we originally set up the contract (we also have spare chairs and assistants who rally at a certain point in the building - any disabled visitors are instructed to make their way to this point should the evacuation alarm sound). We recommend training with our in house trainer for the EVAC chair assistants every 6 months. To my knowledge we have never had any complaints from our colleagues who are evacuated in this way (we have around 6 permanent members of staff to whom this applies) about feeling a loss of control when in the EVAC chair plus if this was not an acceptable way to evacuate people with disabilites I sure one of my colleagues would tell me about it as I work for Social Services!!

Hope this is helpful.
Shelley

Posted By Alan F Cox
In a previous job whilst working for a Health Authority I produced a Video Training Package on Emergency Evacuation Techniques. This dealt with both Manual Handling and Mechanical Aids and was in two parts dealing with individual aspects. Part 2 would meet your needs as it dealt with Wheel Chairs, Ambulance and Evac Chairs and how to negotiate chairs, doors and corridors. I am not sure if copies are still available but try City Hospital in Birmingham. The package was made with the help of Nursing, Physio and Ambulance Staff and provided very good guidance in this difficult area

Alan F Cox