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?

[zzxxee]

thats what im saying read my post he has raised concerns but his security manager has said he doesnt need trasining then mcfluff states in his job the provider showed them the relevant procedures SO WHO IS CORRECT?????????????????????????????

[tamborine]

let him use his initiative by watching this......

http://www.evac-chair.co.uk/video/index.htm

[ChuckFickens]

tell him not to bother with the security manager, ask for an appointment with the H&S person for where he works.

They will have to document his concerns and supply an official answer, even if he doesn't like the answer his back is then covered.

[zzxxee]

in my last job as a care assistant if a fire broke out in the building we were not allowed to take anybody down the stairs just shut all fire doors and wait for the fire brigade to take people out as they had been trained to do so in the event of an emergancy.....

[Androcles]

Sorry zzxxee, if you feel that is strong, but you quoted what he said - I was merely pointing out the possible consequence of that.

If it is an emergency situation and you do your best to save somebody's life, even if you get it technically wrong, I would suggest you are less likely to be sued, than if you could help but refused to do so on some grounds such as "nobody trained me to put him in a chair, so I left him to burn."

[zzxxee]

very informative tambo but like i said what if they cant weight bear like all the people could in the video??? they are legal ways to lift which is why people say who are parallised from the waste down have these policies put into practice

[zzxxee]

dancairo how would you lift a 28 stone paralised man into an evacuationchair?????
1, cause further obstruction if he falls out and people cant get passed?
2, cause yourself a crippling back injury and you cant move?
3 people who cannot weight bare make themselves 3 times more heavier

[bigmamma]

Isn't there a weight restriction on the evacuation chairs , some at 18 stone , some at 21 . Gosh , there's a fair few people who weigh in excess of 21 !

[bigmamma]

The firm providing the evacuation chairs will come and give on -site training .

[zzxxee]

but they still exist big mama im not sure about evacuation chairs but for hoists ans sling sizes yes there is a weight restriction

[zzxxee]

but the suppliers never did do any training thats what im saying

[dot.haukes]

I was the Concession Representative on the H&S committee for 3 years in our department store. The evacuation chair training was offered and there has to be 2 members of staff fully trained in the procedure available in the store at all times.

[zzxxee]

will google some stuff on the legal side of stuff thanks
anyway

[tamborine]

zzxxee....he seems to be unqualified for the job if he cant even be bothered to watch the video I've put up.

Tell him to find a job he can cope with and leave this one for another with more initiative.

[zzxxee]

Evacuation chairs are widely used as a means of escape for wheelchair users in the event of fire in a multi-storey building. They are popular throughout the UK and internationally. Use of the evac chair requires an understanding of who it is suitable for, and how to use it in the event of an emergency, including how to negotiate stairways. It is therefore essential that people are trained in its safe use if injuries and accidents are to be avoided.
Who the evac chair training course is for

All employers who have an evacuation chair on site, and those employers who occupy multi-storey buildings and who currently have not considered emergency evacuation for disabled people.
Benefits to your organisation

This course will help you understand how to use an evacuation chair and how to avoid its use leading to further risk. It will demonstrate the part that evacuation chairs can play in an overall strategy for means of escape for wheelchair users, and the training required to ensure that procedures are adhered to in practice.
Programme

* The issues to consider when using the chair
* Getting the person into the evac chair
* Lifting the evac chair
* Carrying the evac chair, including stairways
* Looking after the person when out of the building