Safety at work isn’t just about every day slips and trips; it’s also about being ready for serious emergencies. A fire could break out, for example. Or there may be another sudden event that means everyone needs to leave your building rapidly. Knowing how to evacuate swiftly and safely is crucial and can save lives.
Good evacuation training is about more than moving quickly towards the nearest exit. It is also about understanding how to handle unique challenges your workplace might have, like narrow stairways or helping team members who have difficulty moving around.
However, it can be difficult to decide which type of evacuation training is best for your team. You must consider how many employees you have, the layout of your building, and any special needs of team members. The best evacuation training is one that is tailored to your specific situation. It should teach your staff the basics, as well as provide hands-on experience in evacuation best practices for your workspace.
Our comprehensive training programs are tailored to meet these requirements, providing you with certification for a full two years. Let’s dive into how you can select the ideal training for your team’s needs.
Understanding your evacuation training requirements
When it comes to evacuation training, one size does not fit all. The number of employees, complexity of your site, and frequency of training sessions should all guide your decision. If you have a large team, consider a training program that allows some of your staff to become in-house trainers themselves (such as our Cascade or Cascade Plus sessions).
In addition, it’s essential to consider any physical limitations that could impact your team’s ability to participate in evacuation training. Recent surgeries, heart conditions, and other significant health concerns could prevent our trainers from being able to work with your delegates on the day.
Your options: Evacuation Training Courses
Operator Training
Our Operator Training is a compact, on-site two-hour course that provides the essentials. Tailored to your specific site, it gives your staff practical experience using the actual evacuation equipment they would need in an emergency. This course is perfect for teams that require foundational knowledge and skills to perform evacuations safely. This training provides your staff with the confidence to act decisively and safely when evacuating someone. However, it’s important to note that this training is focused on basic movements and does not cover full transfer work. It also does not provide your staff with the skills needed to train others.
Cascade Training
Building upon our Operator Training, the Cascade course lasts a minimum of 3.5 hours and delves deeper into the evacuation process. Not only does it cover all that the Operator Training offers, it also equips your delegates to share their knowledge with colleagues. This course is a stepping stone for those who want to take on more responsibility within the safety framework of your organisation. It includes detailed evacuation procedures and the use of training templates. Most importantly, it includes transfer work for mobility-impaired individuals – potentially based on a specific Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) if required.
Cascade Plus Training
For the ultimate in-depth training experience, our Cascade Plus course spans an entire day. In addition to everything included in the previous two courses, it also allows your delegates to train their peers with the oversight of one of our trainers. The course begins with a comprehensive training session in the morning. Next, an afternoon session follows where your newly trained staff members put their skills into practice. After they have had a chance to train others, they receive feedback from our Evacu8 trainer to ensure that all future training is of the highest quality. This option not only maximises the number of trained employees in one session but also reinforces the trainer’s own learning through teaching.
Preparing for evacuation training
Choose your delegates wisely – they must be able to attend the full training, without any interruptions.
Follow our quick checklist for preparing your team:
- Inform attendees about the session details, including location and timing
- Ensure chosen delegates can be available for the duration of the training
- Verify that no major health limitations will affect participation. It’s helpful to check for conditions like recent surgeries or heart problems before the training day.
For the session itself, our trainer requires a few things to be set up in advance. First, a designated space where the group can gather and handle the necessary paperwork is essential. This could be a standard meeting room or any available breakout area. Practical exercises require the use of a staircase and landing, so we recommend utilising the designated refuge or evacuation staircases on your premises.
It’s important that any evacuation equipment to be used is up-to-date with its servicing, having been checked within the last year and displaying a current service sticker. If we’re using any powered equipment, we’ll need access to the keys. The equipment should be fully charged otherwise training cannot take place on the day.
Finally, there’s no need to worry about providing any projectors, whiteboards, or other IT equipment for the training. It’s all hands on training, keeping your delegates engaged throughout!
Evacuation training in smaller groups
We have found that training with a limited number of participants – between 2 and 4 – is the most effective. This intimate setting fosters an interactive and dynamic learning atmosphere where participants are more engaged. It also promotes an environment where open discussion is natural, allowing employees to comfortably exchange ideas and personal experiences. Through this collaborative learning approach, team members not only absorb the training material but also benefit from the shared knowledge and insights of their colleagues and trainer.
Site-specific evacuation training
Every workplace is unique, which means off-the-shelf evacuation training often misses the mark. Our site-specific training is designed around your workplace and the unique challenges it may present. This ensures that your team isn’t just following a general plan, they are practicing what would actually happen in your building using real escape routes and equipment.
Hands-on evacuation training
We’re big believers in the power of practical learning. Evacuation training shouldn’t just be a theoretical exercise. By physically practicing evacuations, your team gains first-hand experience that will be invaluable in an actual emergency. They’ll become more confident in their abilities and know exactly what to do in an unexpected situation.
Conclusion
Choosing the right evacuation training is about more than meeting a requirement. It’s about ensuring that your team can handle an emergency with competence and calm. Consider your needs, the size of your team, and the frequency of your in-house training to determine which program is best for you. By empowering your staff with the right knowledge and skills, you also show them that you value their safety and wellbeing.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to secure the best evacuation training solution for your needs.