OSHA Training Institute 1

Evacuation of Sensory-Impaired Patients

OSHA Training Institute 2

Objectives

Describe the special considerations for sensory-impaired individuals in evacuation

Practice the evacuation

techniques unique to these

individuals

OSHA Training Institute 3

Impairments

Hearing Impaired Sight Impaired

Guide Dogs Mentally Impaired

Greater risk of injury and death for this group

OSHA Training Institute 4

Hearing Impaired

28 million documented hearing impaired people in USPlus undiagnosed and patients in denialPortion of deaf are also blind

Impaired ability to hear alarms, rescuer instructions, other hazardsLook for the Deaf on siteBackground noise=chaos

OSHA Training Institute 5

Hearing Impaired: Use Visual Cues

Visual AlarmsStrobe, colored, flashing lights Vibrating alarms

Visual CommunicationsLip readingHead shakingGesticulation

OSHA Training Institute 6

Hearing Impaired: Use Visual Cues

ProblemsResponders often wear masksVisual alarms not universally locatedTraditional alarms set slightly above ambient

noise People with partial hearing loss may not hear alarm

unless it significantly above ambient noise

Day vs. night Darkness adds additional element of confusion

OSHA Training Institute 7

Hearing Impaired

Incorporate evacuation impaired individuals into your disaster drills

Have individual employees with impairments make it clear what their needs areVerbal communicationsWritten emergency instruction

Frustration for impaired individuals when only traditional alarm methods are used

OSHA Training Institute 8

Visually Impaired 10-18 million documented visually

impaired people in USPortion of deaf are also blind70% of people over age 65 have a severe

visual impairment Newly visually impaired have not adjusted other

senses to make up for visual loss Temporary visual impairments count!

Surgery, medications, injury

OSHA Training Institute 9

Visually Impaired

Hearing or smell are the likely first indicators of dangerCan have difficulty localizing the threat in

order to escape from it Senses can be overwhelmed

High decibel alarms cause difficulty processing audible clues and instructions

Background noise=chaos

OSHA Training Institute 10

Visually Impaired Practice the escape plan

Visually impaired often overlooked in plansThey can help themselves, but know limitationsCan save precious time by incorporating visually

impaired persons in drills/plans New Environments = Difficult Evacuation

The visually impaired rely solely on tactile and verbal stimuli to escape

Smoke alarms for early detection and early evacuation

OSHA Training Institute 11

Other Considerations Utilization and evacuation

of an individuals guide dogThe animals are trained

to lead their owners

away from dangerStill possible for animals to become

frightened and panicked Mentally Impaired

Similar considerations as in pediatrics

OSHA Training Institute 12

Summary

Many of our co-workers and patients will have sensory impairments

Utilize sensory specific alarms and signs in your facility

PRACTICE evacuation plans with those that have impairmentsThey can help themselves in many waysYou can help them stay out of harms way

OSHA Training Institute 13

References An ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making

Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities

http://www.ada.gov/emergencyprepguide.htm Fire Risks for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing;

TriData Corp, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide for the US Fire Administration

Fire Risks for the Blind or Visually Impaired; TriData Corp, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide for the US Fire Administration

OSHA Training Institute 14

Demonstrations

Lifts/Carries

Human Chain