Have you been in a position where you’ve encountered something at your workplace that you deemed dangerous? It could be a cord stretched across a high traffic area or obstructions in a stairwell. There could be a burning smell in the elevator or electrical equipment in the staff break room that keeps shorting out. Essential equipment like evacuation sirens or nurse call triggers might have lost connection to the rest of the emergency alert system.
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 the modern, high-speed world, safety is of paramount concern, especially in high-risk workplaces. In response smart, safety forward businesses are harnessing innovative technology to improve safety measures, ensuring everyone can work with peace of mind. By enhancing evacuation or nurse call emergency communication systems, you can significantly mitigate risks, paving the way to a safer work environment.
Fire is a potential hazard in all workplaces but some industries – particularly where there are open flames, flammable equipment, and sparks – are more of a risk than others. But fire isn’t the only reason a workplace might need to be evacuated. There could be a gas leak, a security risk, or a structural issue.
An evacuation system can be comprised of hardware like smoke sensors, evac triggers, and evac sirens, manual equipment like air horns and megaphones, or sometimes word of mouth. It’s critical that whatever system configuration a workplace installs and uses takes into account the type of risk, the level of risk, and the speed with which workers are told what to do in order to take action. Clear communication about the event – and expectations for those on site – is imperative.
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.
‘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.
When we’re engaged to quote on a system, often it’s for a customer who wishes to install within an existing structure. Given Orisent systems utilise a mesh RF and/or cellular connection, our systems don’t need to be hard wired into a building, particularly if the devices will be battery powered. Thus retrofitting our systems require little to no additional investment.
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.
