Evacuation Items Needed in the Workplace
Emergencies in the workplace, such as fires, medical incidents, or natural disasters, can occur unexpectedly. To protect the safety and well-being of employees and visitors in, it is critical to have a well-thought-out evacuation plan supported by the right evacuation equipment and items for the workplace.
At Levande Healthcare, we provide essential tools, such as Evacuation Mats and Sheets from TETCON, to ensure safe evacuation. Below is a comprehensive list of evacuation equipment and items every workplace should have to be prepared for any emergency.
Evacuation Mats
Evacuation Mats transport individuals with mobility challenges during emergencies. These mats allow rescuers to drag people down staircases or across rough terrain quickly and securely. They are ideal for workplaces with multiple floors or complex layouts where elevators may be inaccessible during an emergency.
Why You Need It: Evacuation Mats ensure that no one is left behind, providing a safe and efficient way to evacuate individuals who cannot walk or move independently or are unconscious.
Evacuation Sheets
Evacuation Sheets, such as those from TETCON, are used to evacuate bedridden individuals. Spread under mattresses, these sheets allow staff to move people swiftly without lifting them manually. They are crucial in hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities, and are also needed in workplaces where temporary medical care may be provided e.g. a sick bay or work clinic.
Why You Need It: Evacuation Sheets are essential for quickly and safely evacuating people who are incapacitated or confined to a bed.
Evacuation Chairs
Evacuation Chairs move people up or down stairways during emergencies. These chairs are equipped with features like seat belts, adjustable headrests, and braking systems, making them safe and reliable for quick evacuation.
Why You Need It: Evacuation Chairs are essential for workplaces in multi-story buildings to ensure the safe transport of individuals with mobility limitations.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers are one of the most basic but essential safety equipment in any workplace. Every floor of your facility should have extinguishers strategically placed and employees trained on how to use them. Depending on the workplace, you may need different fire extinguishers (e.g., for electrical, chemical, or grease fires).
Why You Need It: Having fire extinguishers available helps prevent fires from spreading and can potentially avoid a full-scale evacuation.
First Aid Kits
First Aid Kits are a must in any workplace, especially during an emergency. They should include basic supplies such as sterile pads, bandages, CPR face shields, splints, antiseptic wipes, gloves emergency blankets etc.
Why You Need It: Immediate access to a well-stocked First Aid Kit ensures that minor injuries are treated on the spot and helps stabilize individuals before medical professionals arrive.
Emergency Lighting
In the event of power outages or fires that cause low visibility, emergency lighting becomes critical. Battery-operated lighting systems, including torches and emergency exit lights, should be installed to guide people to safety.
Why You Need It: Emergency lighting helps people navigate darkened or smoky areas during an evacuation, reducing the risk of injury.
Two-Way Radios
In a large workplace, communication is essential during an evacuation. Two-way radios allow team members to stay in contact, ensuring that all areas of the building are checked, and everyone accounted for during an emergency.
Why You Need It: Two-way radios provide clear communication, especially in areas where cell phone signals might be blocked.
Evacuation Plans and Maps
Every workplace should display Evacuation Plans and Maps indicating the fastest routes to emergency exits. These should be regularly updated and tailored to account for different emergencies.
Why You Need It: Visual guides ensure that employees and visitors know the evacuation routes and help avoid confusion during a crisis.
Smoke Alarms and Detectors
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors are vital for early warning of fires and gas leaks. These should be regularly tested and installed throughout the building, especially in areas with heavy machinery, kitchens, or labs.
Why You Need It: Early detection makes a difference in response times, allowing for faster evacuations and potentially saving lives.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
In some workplaces, employees may need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as fire-resistant clothing, helmets, or respirators during an evacuation. PPE helps safeguard individuals from heat, smoke inhalation, or debris while they evacuate.
Why You Need It: PPE provides an extra layer of protection for employees working in hazardous environments, ensuring a safer evacuation process.
Rescue Sheets/Stretchers
Rescue sheets transport injured or incapacitated individuals who cannot walk or sit in an evacuation chair. These sheets are typically lightweight, foldable, and easy to maneuver through narrow spaces by the people carrying the victim.
Why You Need It: In medical emergencies or situations where someone is injured especially in an external environment, rescue sheets helps move them safely and efficiently.
Defibrillators (AEDs)
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are crucial for workplaces, especially where there is a risk of sudden cardiac arrest. These devices are easy to use and can save lives by restoring normal heart rhythms before emergency medical help arrives.
Why You Need It: AEDs are life-saving equipment in cardiac emergencies, ensuring quick and effective response to reset an abnormal heart rhythm.
Wheelchair Accessibility
While not a specific evacuation tool, ensuring your workplace has ramps and wide enough doorways for wheelchair access is critical. During an evacuation, those using wheelchairs need safe, designated routes.
Why You Need It: Proper wheelchair accessibility allows individuals with disabilities to navigate safely and exit the building efficiently.
Conclusion
A comprehensive evacuation plan involves more than just identifying the exits—it requires the right equipment to ensure everyone can evacuate safely. From Evacuation Mats and Sheets to first aid kits and fire extinguishers, each item on this list helps keep your workplace prepared for emergencies.
At Levande Healthcare, we offer TETCON’s industry-leading Evacuation Mats and Sheets to enhance your evacuation plan. Do not wait for an emergency to highlight the gaps in your preparedness—equip your workplace today.
For more information on evacuation equipment or to place an order, contact Levande Healthcare. We are here to help you create a safer workplace for everyone!
At Levande Healthcare, we offer a range of evacuation equipment which includes evacuation mats and evacuation sheets made by TETCON to meet the diverse needs of buildings and healthcare facilities. Contact us today to learn more about our evacuation solutions and find the right fit for your facility.
