Have you noticed that red, yellow, and green are universal colours for hazard identification? From traffic lights that dictate our daily commutes to emergency signs and equipment, these colours are universally accepted symbols for warning, caution, and safety. The choice of these colours is rooted…
Regardless of the type of work environment your business operates within, it should have an up-to-date emergency plan which includes an evacuation and nurse call system. Depending on the type of system, you might need a specialist to hard wire it into your premises. If you’re using an Orisent system, you’ll just need to identify where you want to install your evacuation or nurse call triggers, and evacuation sirens, then power up your devices and test.
During an emergency, people often experience panic. It’s a natural response to a sudden and potentially life-threatening situation, and it can manifest differently in individuals. The perceived threat to personal safety activates the body’s “fight or flight” response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline, which can intensify emotions and physical reactions. Cognitive overload can make it difficult to process information, make rational decisions, or think clearly. Workers who are unprepared for emergencies or who have not received proper training on how to respond may feel helpless and overwhelmed. In many emergencies, time is of the essence, and individuals may feel pressured to make quick decisions. This time pressure can amplify stress and panic.
Panic can cause workers to forget where muster points are, what to do in an evacuation or medical emergency, and who to check in with. In this instance the ability to locate a worker (or workers) is critical for management when the business is experiencing an emergency event.
Customers of Orisent who have a software subscription granting them entry to our web-based user portal can easily navigate to a dedicated page showcasing the telemetry of their emergency alert system. This invaluable feature allows us to meticulously assess and enhance the design of the evacuation or nurse call system network, enabling us to pinpoint opportunities for stronger connections and the implementation of additional signal pathways. By doing so, we strive to optimise the effectiveness of these crucial systems, ensuring the utmost safety and security for our valued customers.
In today’s unpredictable world, ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals on a work site or within a building is of paramount importance. Various emergencies and incidents can arise unexpectedly, making it crucial for facility managers and occupants to be prepared for any eventuality. Building evacuations are essential procedures that help protect lives and minimise injuries during emergencies.
When you were younger you probably played with a set of walkie talkies. You took one and your friend took the other, then you spread out and talked to one another. But there were limits – range, obstructions, and battery life – which impacted how far apart you could stand from one another, and how long you could use them before recharging.
When a site evacuation is required, the speed with which the workforce mobilises and evacuates the site is critical. Many businesses install some sort of evacuation notification system for workers but have you considered whether there’s bottlenecks or friction in your process? Our construction customers identified a common problem with their site evacuations that we’ve worked with another supplier to solve.
‘Human Error’ has long been identified as a contributing factor to incident causation
Commonly cited statistics claim that human error is responsible for anywhere between 70-100% of workplace safety incidents. While it’s tempting as a business to apportion blame to a person or group of people, it ignores conditions and processes that may have contributed to the incident. It also highlights that no matter how ‘safe’ your workplace is, there’s always a chance that a workplace emergency will occur when humans are involved.
Traditional evacuation systems require a fair amount of specialist installation, management and maintenance because they tend to be hard wired and permanently positioned. They also use a ‘press and guess’ approach in that there’s little visibility on the system’s power or connectivity.
That leads to a high level of assumption that when a worker triggers an alert, the system will work. But in an emergency event that’s not good enough. Technology is constantly evolving to utilise 21st-century innovations and the powerful computer we’re all carrying around in our pockets. Emergency systems should be evolving as well.
One of the questions we are asked most frequently at Orisent is why a wireless safety alert system is better than a more traditional system. For years, we even had a traditional system available, but changes in technology have allowed for significant developments and new features.
