evacuation chairs in department stores

[zzxxee]

my partner is a security guard in a department store and they have had an evacuation chair in case of fires but no manual handling training to transfer disabled people into them who are in wheelchairs.HE has said he will not use one unless relevant training is given his security boss said they dont need manual handling training who is right?

[squarebear]

We have one and the instructions on the side are very clear. He should practice with it if in doubt.

It's kind of like saying, "I can't come through the door because I have had no training" even though it's self explanatory.

[samuelcat]

Whats the difference between a wheelchair and an evacuation chair. Surely if there is a fire any wheelchair users wont be left inside because they are in the 'wrong chair'
My company used to insist on a risk assessment and them training on everything for the fear of getting sued. I suppose if your husband hurt his back trying to life someone into the chair he could argue that he had no training. But a lot of that would depend on the disability of each person he was trying to move so training him could be difficult.

[squarebear]

The evacuation chair is to allow wheelchair users to be moved downstairs. The use of it is really quite straight forward and is detailed on the side of the apparatus.

[samuelcat]

Sorry, I said husband and not partner.Shouldn't have assumed.Sorry.

[hc4361]

Wheelchairs can be very big, heavy and bulky. Lifts cannot be used when there is a fire, so the person gets transferred to an evacuation chair that is much lighter and easier to manoeuvre down stairs.

[samuelcat]

Thanks for the explanation.

[zzxxee]

an evacuation chair is one you use to go down stairs as you cannot use lifts in the event of a fire.
if you have a disabled person in a wheelchair who cannot weight bear then you should be manually handled trained as certain lifts such as under arm lifts are illegal and you can cause injury thus this could be classed as abuse

[zzxxee]

i agree we are to p.c these days but you have to be very carefull, i just needed some legal points about if any training is needed

[squarebear]

If it is then should also give training on how to open windows, wipe your feet and using toilet paper.

Seriously, it's so easy to use. He should try it with a colleague if he is unsure.

[zzxxee]

its not that hes unsure its useing proper techniques do to different severitys of disability. for example lifting someone useing what is known as a drag lift (illegal) could cause someone to have a heart attack there has to be manual handling training surley for evacuation chairs?. Does anyone know for definate what the legal requirements are and not assumptions????

[Androcles]

I'm intrigued - "HE has said he will not use one unless relevant training is given ".

So will he be standing outside the shell of the burning building saying "Disabled? I told him - get yourself into the evacuation chair, mate, not down to me, no training - tough luck really"?

[squarebear]

Surely anyone in that sort of severe condition where even lifting them would kill them is hardly likely to be out shopping by themselves on the top floor of a department store?

[kinell]

presumably he has had adequate training in the practice of correctly donning his 'jobsworth' hat?

[mccfluff]

when we bought ours, we had someone from the compny come in and give us trainig on how to use it and how to train others to use.

[zzxxee]

thats a bit strong androcles im just saying there are policies and procedures to be followed

[zzxxee]

thank you mcfluff some sense at last x

[zzxxee]

another assumption squarebear some care homes transfer people into wheelchairs while family members take them out for short shopping trips and they can only be transfered back out of the chair useing the homes equiptment such as hoists by people who are trained to do so

[ChuckFickens]

I agree with androces, surely with or without training refusing to use an evacuation chair if needed in the event of a fire is just morally wrong.

But if he has worries about using it then raise them with the health and safety person where he works, if it's raised as an official point then they will have to look into it and do a H&S assessment.

[mccfluff]

bl00dy hell you don't often have 'mccfluff' and 'sense' in the same sentence :-)