The purpose of emergency evacuation mobility aids is to assist people with disability to evacuate an area as safely as possible in the event of an emergency. Consideration for the following mobility aids may need to be planned for:
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Walkers, canes or crutches
People using canes, crutches or walkers may be able to independently exit a building in the event of an emergency, however, may need assistance from a buddy or fire warden. If a person needs to egress via a stair well, it may be beneficial to allow faster and independent evacuees to exit first. Following this the individual may be able to negotiate the stairs by grasping the hand rail and using the other arm to use the crutch or cane. A buddy can offer further assistance by carrying a spare crutch or walker, and /or offering an arm for stability. A buddy can also buffer the individual from any other evacuees passing them during the evacuation. If a person is unable to negotiate stairs, they should wait in a designated refuge area, for example the stair well, and the fire warden should be notified to advise the Fire and Rescue Services.
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Wheelchairs
Wheelchair users may face a number of barriers to evacuation in the event of an emergency. As lifts are often not in operation during an emergency, a person may not be able to independently exit if there are stairs or multiple floors. Planning and training prior to an emergency should identify the procedure for evacuation. Some wheelchair users may choose to wait in a designated refuge area, for example the stair well, and the fire warden should be notified to advise the Fire and Rescue Services. Others may request their buddy or carers to assist their evacuation via an evacuation chair or evacuation pod. For shorter distances a large heavy duty slide transfer sheet may assist with difficult transfers. Occupational Health and Safety professionals or Occupational Therapists should be consulted regarding the safest and most efficient process for evacuation.
Manual wheelchairs may also be available in the workplace to assist persons with limited mobility to egress the building with the assistance from a buddy or fire warden.
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Guide Dogs
People who are visually impaired and have the assistance of a Guide Dog, should be consulted when planning and training for an evacuation. A buddy should be allocated to the individual and should be introduced to the Guide Dog prior to an emergency. In the event of an emergency, the buddy should explain the emergency situation to the individual and if they feel they can independently exit the building in a safe manner, they should be allowed to do so. If the individual would like assistance, the buddy should assist by providing verbal cues of the environment or potential hazards, and can offer an arm for support if required. The buddy should not touch the Guide Dog or take control of the harness without permission (The Post Secondary Education Network 2001).
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
Employers have a legal responsibility to have a structured comprehensive evacuation program, which includes provisions for evacuation of people with disability. Evacuation procedures should be planned in consultation with persons with specific needs, and training should be implemented to ensure safety to all employees in the event of an emergency. Consultation with an occupational therapist, occupational health and safety workplace assessor and/or the State Fire and Emergency Service may be beneficial when planning for an emergency (The Post Secondary Education Network 2001).
Relevant Links:
References:
The Post Secondary Education Network 2001, Emergency Evacuation Procedures for People with Disabilities and Medical Conditions: Access & Egress, Cooperative Funds Project, viewed 6 March 2008.