Emergency Equipment Checklist

Emergency equipment: everything other than extinguishers

When emergency preparedness at a workplace is mentioned, fire extinguishers are the first thing that comes to mind; their number, location and inspection are usually established. In a drill, however, problems often arise elsewhere: the stretcher will not turn on the stairs, the torch battery is flat, the radios are not charged, the protection team's vest has disappeared behind a cabinet. The emergency equipment list covers these items other than extinguishers.

The Regulation on Emergencies in Workplaces requires three things on this subject:

• Personal protective equipment and response equipment to be used in emergencies must suit the emergencies identified at the workplace and the duties of the teams (Art. 5/1).
• Support staff must have suitable equipment and special training (Art. 11).
• The evacuation plan must show the locations of emergency equipment and first aid supplies, including those for firefighting (Art. 12).

Art. 128 of the Regulation on the Fire Protection of Buildings also requires building owners and managers to keep the materials that teams will use for response and rescue, and for these materials to be maintained by those responsible. The legislation does not give a fixed list of materials; the list is derived from the workplace's emergency scenarios. For extinguisher inspection, see our article on fire extinguisher inspection and refilling.

Emergency equipment list by team

The table below is a starting list for a medium-sized production workplace. Set the quantities according to headcount, the number of floors and buildings, and the shift pattern:

To set quantities, consider a simple example: a two-shift workplace with a three-storey administrative building and a single-storey production hall. Each support team member on duty on each shift gets a vest and a torch; a few are added as spares. Radios are issued at least to each team and to the protection team leader. A stretcher is planned in the first aid room in the production hall, and an evacuation chair in the administrative building for a person unable to move on the upper floors. If the equipment is kept in a shared cabinet handed over at shift change, both shifts' team lists are posted on the cabinet door.

For the contents of the first aid kit and cabinet, see our article on first aid cabinet supplies, and if an AED is kept at the workplace, our article on cardiac arrest at work and AEDs. Special scenarios such as confined space rescue require separate equipment; see confined space rescue.

Where does the emergency cabinet go?

The emergency cabinet must be in a place that teams can reach in the first minutes, but where it does not obstruct escape. Placement principles:

• Do not narrow the escape route. The cabinet is placed in a recess or on a wall where it does not reduce the corridor width or prevent doors from opening.
• Mark it on the evacuation plan. Under Art. 12 of the Regulation on Emergencies, the cabinet's location is shown on the evacuation plan and the cabinet is signed. For sign types see emergency exit and escape route signs.
• Distribute by zone. In large facilities, separate points are set for each building or floor instead of a single cabinet. Under Annex 1 of the Regulation on Workplace Buildings and Annexes, stretchers are kept ready for use in first aid rooms.
• Use a seal instead of a lock. The key to a locked cabinet cannot be found in an emergency. A numbered plastic seal shows whether the cabinet has been opened and is easily broken.
• Stick the contents list on the door. The person checking must see every item on the list in the cabinet.

Also plan where teams and equipment will be on the night shift; for details see emergency teams on the night shift.

Stretchers and blankets: the right type in the right place

Stretchers and blankets are the two items that cause the most problems in drills. When choosing a stretcher, think about the building's stairs and doors: a long, non-folding stretcher cannot turn on narrow, winding stairs. In multi-storey buildings, an evacuation chair that can go down stairs is more suitable for people who cannot walk; for planning see our article on the evacuation plan for employees with disabilities. The stretcher's straps, carrying handles and folding mechanism should be tested at every check.

Two different products must not be confused when it comes to blankets:

• Thermal (foil) blanket: Preserves the injured person's body heat; kept in the first aid kit.
• Fire blanket: Used to smother small fires or the flames on a person whose clothing has caught fire; hung near kitchens, laboratories and areas where hot work is done.

Torches, radios and team vests

When the power fails, emergency lighting comes on along escape routes; but the search team still needs torches and radios. Points to watch:

• Rechargeable torches and radios are kept in the charging unit; batteries for battery-powered ones are stored separately and dated.
• A written channel plan sets which team uses which radio channel. If there are no radios, team leaders' mobile phone numbers are kept on an up-to-date list.
• Torches and radios used in areas with explosive atmospheres must be suitable for that atmosphere; see the ATEX document.
• For consistency with the alarm and announcement arrangement, see our article on emergency alarms and announcements.

Team vests make team members recognisable in crowds and smoky conditions. The team name must be written on the back of the vest; high-visibility material is preferred. For visibility classes, see our article on high-visibility clothing.

Emergency equipment check: the monthly form

The legislation does not set a check frequency for these materials; the BYKHY leaves maintenance and upkeep to those responsible. A workable arrangement is an emergency equipment check carried out once a month and after every drill or real use. Sample form:

The form should include the date of the check, the name and signature of the person checking, and when deficiencies were made good. A missing item is not left until the following month. You can add check dates to the OHS calendar tool.

When preparing emergency plans for businesses in Bursa and the surrounding provinces, Bursa Sistemer draws up the team list and the equipment list together, marks cabinet locations on the evacuation plan and plans the training of support staff. For the content of support staff training, see our article on support staff training.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be in an emergency cabinet?

The legislation does not give a fixed list. It usually contains torches, team vests, a radio or other means of communication, a megaphone, a whistle, a roll-call list, barrier tape, a first aid kit and blankets. The list is set according to the workplace's emergency scenarios and the teams' duties.

Is it mandatory to keep a stretcher?

The Regulation on Workplace Buildings and Annexes requires stretchers to be kept ready for use in first aid rooms. In workplaces without a first aid room, the need for a stretcher or evacuation chair is determined through the risk assessment and the emergency plan.

How often should emergency equipment be checked?

The legislation does not set a frequency. A monthly check, with an additional check after every drill or real use, is a workable and defensible arrangement.

Should the emergency cabinet be locked?

A keyed lock is not recommended; the key may not be found in an emergency. A numbered seal shows whether the cabinet has been opened and is easy to open.