Employers should prioritise regular maintenance of evacuation chairs as it is essential for ensuring their reliability during critical moments. These chairs are vital for the safe evacuation of individuals with mobility challenges in emergency situations.
Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of the equipment but also identifies and addresses potential issues before they become serious.
By keeping evacuation chairs in optimal condition, employers demonstrate a commitment to the safety and well-being of their staff, ensuring a swift and effective response when it matters most.
As with all safety equipment, and as Evac+Chairs are Class 1 Medical Devices, it is important that they are kept at a high standard.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 states under its maintenance section:
Maintenance
Part II
5.
(1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that where any machinery has a maintenance log, the log is kept up to date.
The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 states under its maintenance section:
Maintenance
16
(1) Where necessary in order to ensure the safety of relevant persons in respect of harm caused by fire the person with duties under Article 25 or 26 shall ensure that the relevant premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the relevant premises under these Regulations or, subject to paragraph (5), under any other statutory provision, including any statutory provision repealed or revoked by, under, or by virtue of the 2006 Order, are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.