Evacuation Chair Training 1

Introduction 2

Housekeeping Introduction Sign in Health & Safety issues Facilities Mobile phones Smoking arrangements Course administration Introductions 3

Course details Trainers Name : Date: 00/ Month/ Year Location: Address Course Number: Trainer to give Centre Number: 1709129 Course Title: GCT Evac Chair

Objectives By the end of the course you will: Be a competent user of the evacuation chair Have an increased awareness of fire safety, means of escape and the role of evacuation chairs Understand good handling techniques 5

The assessment process for unit 1 Practical Skills assessed throughout this unit: Deploying the chair Safely taking a casualty down stairs Safely exiting and re-entering the building Stowing the chair correctly 6

Legislation 7

Acts and Regulations Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Equality Act 2010 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 8

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Hierarchy of control: Eliminate Automate Manual handling aids People measures Safe handling techniques Team handling Safe operating procedure Personal protective equipment 9

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Reduce risk of fire starting & spreading Ensure Means of Escape (MOE) Evacuation procedure Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Refuges 10

The Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005 Equality Act 2010 “When an employer or service provider does not make the provisions for evacuation of mobility impaired persons from its premises, this may be viewed as discrimination” The Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005 Requires the responsible person to appoint sufficient number of staff to safely evacuate a building in the event of an emergency. Its the responsibility of the company to evacuate any person with a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. (PEEP) 11

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) A PEEP is for any staff or visitors who need it. It should take into account:- Disabled persons movement within the building Operational procedures Types of escape that can be made available Building systems i.e. Staged fire alarm The Exit plan 12

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) Who will or may require a peep? 13

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) Who will or may require a peep? People in Wheelchairs Partially sighted or blind Temporarily incapacitated Heavily Pregnant Medication users Elderly or infirm Those with medical conditions such as angina or asthma 14

Reasons to evacuate? 15

Reasons to evacuate? Fire Smoke Explosion Power failure Structural damage to building Terrorist incident Environmental factors Evacuation drill 16

What is an evacuation chair? An emergency aid designed to descend stairs and provide fast egress for the mobility impaired when the lifts must not or cannot be used 17

Evacuation Chair Vs Transit Chair 18

For who?

For who? Mobility impaired Visually impaired Pregnant Asthmatic Elderly Hearing impaired Heart condition Infants Intoxicated?

Anatomy 21

Nucleus 22

Potential injuries to chair handlers Fractures Damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons Spinal disc injuries Abrasions and cuts Hernias Work related upper limb disorders Repetition Inadequate rest and recovery Non-neutral joint positions 23

Pushing generally preferable: Can see what the chair occupant is doing Less chance of catching feet and ankles No twisting to see where you are going Better position for arm joints Compression forces on arm & shoulder Good technique: Spine – neutral position Short levers – arms close Use of legs – “A” frame Avoid obstructions, slopes and doorways 24

Deploying the chair Place foot on bottom bar Extend handles & head rest Undo buckle – deploy skis / seat Foot on axle - seat person - secure belt strap, hands in lap Find balance position Pull 3 inches towards you & move the chair Deploy trolley wheels & move the chair Retract trolley wheels before stairs 25

Practical demonstration 26

Have a go……………………. 27

Using the chair Position on inside of stairwell Start 30 cm from top step - push firmly Pause: slide hands to top of handle Push vertically down and descend At landing, pause and reposition hands Raise chair to balance position - repeat Once completed – deploy trolley wheels 28

Have a go……………………. 30

Team Handling What are the problems? 31

Team Handling Planning of lift Communication Co-ordination How to grasp When to lift What level to carry Which route Set down points on route? Co-ordination Disparity of individuals: size, speed, strength Awkward areas 32

Team Handling Consider other options Avoid Mechanise Use manual handling aids Split the load Run through sequence of events verbally Walk the route One person take charge of giving instructions Stick to established teams if possible 33

Chair transfers Chose safe location Place chairs as close as possible at 45ᵒ Wheelchair – apply brake, remove arm rest & foot rest Place slide board (curve to seat) Person moves along board Handler, if required, to grip belt Remove board 34

Recap and practice 35

36