Ensure employee's human rights and OHS through ethical emergency preparedness

Image: Specially designed evacuation chair. Source: Evac+Chair

Accessibility takes centre stage during Human Rights Month, with a specific focus on equal opportunities for evacuation during emergencies. The use of evacuation chairs, specially designed to carry mobility-impaired people downstairs in an emergency evacuation when the lifts are not working, plays a crucial role in this commitment. Ensuring their safety is a step towards realising human rights principles, particularly in the following scenarios:

• Natural disasters (floods or torrential rains): In situations like torrential rains or floods, evacuation becomes critical. Mobility challenges can hinder swift and safe evacuation, making the use of evacuation chairs essential to ensure the well-being of all individuals.

• Fires: During a fire emergency, quick and efficient evacuation is paramount. Mobility issues can create obstacles, making evacuation chairs a practical solution to navigate staircases or uneven terrain, ensuring that everyone can promptly exit the affected area.

• Building evacuations: In various emergency scenarios, such as building evacuations, individuals with mobility challenges face difficulties navigating stairs or crowded spaces. Evacuation chairs offer a tangible solution, facilitating the equal opportunity for safe evacuation for all individuals, regardless of physical abilities.

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Louise Woodburn  9 Dec 2021

In the broader dialogue surrounding human rights, businesses, institutions, and property owners play a crucial role. This Human Rights Month, the encouragement is for organisations to consider inclusive evacuation strategies, recognising it as an ethical responsibility to safeguard the well-being and safety of every individual. Natural disasters, fires, and medical emergencies are instances where prioritizing accessibility in emergency preparedness becomes paramount.

Yvette Glass, managing director of Evac+Chair SA, adds, "In promoting inclusivity in emergency solutions, we are collectively shaping a safer and more compassionate society. It is not just a responsibility; it is a shared commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in times of need."