What are the best practices for maintaining safety equipment in a higher education setting?

Routine staff training on fire extinguisher operation and safety protocols enhances overall workplace safety. Conduct regular drills demonstrating various extinguisher types and their appropriate use for different fire classes. Simulating fire scenarios provides hands-on experience, instilling confidence and readiness among personnel during emergencies. Furthermore, educate staff on the importance of immediate reporting after extinguisher use for refilling or replacement, ensuring continuous availability. This proactive approach fosters a culture of preparedness, empowering individuals to act effectively in fire-related incidents, safeguarding the entire higher education environment.

The following are some recommendations for upkeep of safety equipment in higher education settings: - Consistent maintenance - Appropriate storage - Adequate training - Recordkeeping - Availability - Plan for replacement - Interaction. - Keep up to date. In a higher education setting, these best practises ought to support preserving the functionality and safety of safety equipment.

Most important element to maintain safety equipment in any set-up is to have well defined maintenance schedule in line with OEM guidelines, competent staff to carry out the activity, spares to replace defective items and last but not the least a comprehensive assurance program to verify "what is planned is actually being carried out". Keep testing your equipment through drills and training and ensure the equipment is returned to original storage location.

1. Schedule regular inspections, documenting findings. 2. Provide training on equipment use and maintenance. 3. Maintain detailed records, including installation dates. 4. Follow manufacturer guidelines for routine maintenance. 5. Integrate equipment checks into emergency response plans. 6. Stay compliant with safety regulations, updating policies. 7. Promptly address and repair identified issues or replace equipment. 8. Conduct regular staff and student training and emergency drills. 9. Establish clear communication channels for reporting concerns. 10. Collaborate with maintenance teams and encourage interdepartmental coordination.

The SLA maintained with the vendor, should contain preplanned schedule for Fire Extinguisher to be maintained/ serviced either quarterly or every six months. Ensure Fire Extinguishers are hung at knee level moderate enough to be unhooked during emergency response. Ensure the Fire Extinguisher ?? are not kept directly on the floor, as this could lead to caking or coagulation. Instead ensure to either hang it or keep on top of a black plastic. Ensure the Fire extinguisher is kept safe from elements of weather such as su, snow, rain , dust etc. elements of weather affects the cylinder, the hose/nozzle, the pin and the guage, causing it to tarnish, rust and become ineffective when employed to either fight actual fire or during simulation

Eyewash stations are a critical safety feature in any higher education environment where hazardous materials are present. Regular testing and maintenance of these stations are as important as having them available. Weekly tests, as recommended, ensure functionality - checking the flow, pressure, and temperature of the water is essential to guarantee that the station will be effective in an emergency. Monthly cleaning is not just a matter of hygiene; it's vital for preventing harmful microbial growth. Compliance with the manufacturer's guidelines for annual servicing further ensures that these stations remain a reliable first line of defence against eye injuries or infections from exposure to contaminants.

Eyewash staions should be inspected daily. The water source should be inspected daily as well. From the water treatment plant to the eyes wash station should be inspected daily as per shift schedules ( for workplaces on 24 hours shift routine) . The chemical in water treatment plant should be used in appropriate dosage to avoid escalation of eye injury when it comes into contact with other chemical irritant in the eye. Eyewash station fixtures should come in plastics than metals to prevent rust. These fixtures could be removed, washed/ cleaned accordingly and replaced before expiration date. Eye wash bottles should come as plastics and not breakable bottles. There is need to disinfect the Eyewash station immediately after eye incident

It's not just cleanliness it includes keeping work areas orderly maintaining halls floors and work spaces uncluttered removing any waste Materiels papers Cardboard and other fire hazards from work areas it require you to pay attention to important details such as layout of the whole work place aisle marking the adequacy of storage facilities and maintenance Good work place keeping is also basic part of accidents and fire prevention poor safety culture can frequently contribute to accidents by hiding hazards that Cause injuries. Effective work place keeping can eliminate any hazards and help get a job safely and efficiently if the sight of paper debris clutter and spills is accepted as normal then other more serious

A Norma ABNT NBR 16291:2014, estabelece os requisitos mínimos de desempenho e uso para os lava-olhos e chuveiros destinados ao tratamento de emergência dos olhos ou corpo de uma pessoa que tenha sido exposta a materiais perigosos, abrangendo equipamentos como chuveiros de emergência, lava-olhos, lava-olhos/face e chuveiros com lava-olhos. A finalidade desta norma é fornecer os requisitos mínimos para a padroniza??o, funcionamento e desempenho. procedimentos de ensaio, manuten??o e treinamento. Para poder tratar rapidamente uma contamina??o consulte a FISPIC do produto a respeito de instru??es sobre como proceder para descontamina??o de pele ou outros órg?os afetados.

ESTACIONES DE LAVADO DE OJOS. EL OASIS DE LA CREATIVIDAD Las estaciones de lavado de ojos: esos altares de la seguridad ocular, a menudo más ignorados que las instrucciones cómo montar un mueble. Todo el mundo lo usa salvo para algo que no es lavarse los ojos. Ahí tienes a Carlos, que usa el chorro para refrescarse después de un café demasiado caliente. O a Lucía, convencida de que es el lugar perfecto para regar su planta de escritorio. ?Y qué me dices de esos que la usan para un rápido lavado de manos? Estas estaciones, dise?adas para emergencias oculares, se han convertido en el multiusos más extra?o de la oficina. La próxima vez que pases por una, recuerda: está ahí para tus ojos, no para tus caprichos improvisados. #RC2Psicología

First aid box should contain first aid items items, to serve it's purpose. it should not be a drug/ medication dispensary. Drugs/medications should be administered by a medical personnel after diagnosis is made and confirmed, hence the first aid box should not be an excuse to abuse drugs at workplace. First aid box should be placed according to the number of workers in a location. For example, for every 12 workers in a location, a first aid box is provided as a requirement. First Aid box items and items are supplied from a certified provider, who also stocks and monitors the items with assistance from the HSE Personnel/ department. First aide box should be kept in an accessible location. Train personnel on how, when, what to use it.

A first aid needs assessment should be carried out to determine how many first aid kits are needed, what size, and even what items are needed for the risks in each area. It is important not to oversupply in case items expire. In addition to first aid kits, it is useful for a HE building to have an AED (defibrillator), especially if there is not one that can be easily accessed nearby. Research has shown that deploying a defibrillator within 3–5 minutes of collapse can produce survival rates as high as 50–70%. An AED should be kept in a communal area, but must have the battery checked regularly so that it works when you come to use it. It is sometimes good to keep medication with an AED so that it is not readily available in first aid kits.

First aid kits are indispensable in higher education institutions, not just as a compliance requirement, but as a crucial resource for addressing minor medical incidents. Regular inspections of these kits are vital to ensure they are fully stocked and in line with applicable standards or local regulations. Monthly checks/annual or periodic verification by a certified provider should verify the presence and condition of essential items like bandages, antiseptics, and gloves. Proper storage of the first aid kit – in a cool, dry, and easily accessible location – is equally important. In my consulting work, I emphasise to a variety of clients the significance of these steps not only for compliance but for the safety and well-being of staff.

In my opinion every employee need at least basic training just to aid small injuries at work and the rest we be on the medical team, every box should have the first aid kit also a Tourniquet and help stop the bleeding in case of a critical injury and a stretcher.

Toda organiza??o que preza pelo bem estar de seus ocupantes, deve manter um suporte eficiente para cuidados da saúde. A legisla??o estabelece itens obrigatórios na composi??o do kit bora conferir alguns s?o eles : adquira caixa para acondicionamento do kit. Essa caixa precisam ter a qualidade e o tamanho necessários para comportar todos os itens obrigatórios, sendo ideal um espa?o para equipamentos opcionais porém também úteis, tenha pin?as, luvas cirúrgicas descartáveis,máscaras faciais,tesoura de ponta redonda, óculos de prote??o,algod?o,esparadrapos,talapara imobiliza??o, ataduras de crepom 20 cm para enfaixar ou imobilizar áreas lesionadas, soro fisiológico,solu??o iodada, álcool, água oxigenada, cotonete e sab?o líquido bactericida

A PPE assessment needs to be conducted to ensure that the PPE provided is the correct PPE for the task. Do not forget to employ engineering and administrative controls before you move to the least effective control (PPE)

In higher education, where the risk of exposure to various hazards is prevalent, particularly in labs and workshops, the role of PPE cannot be overstated. Ensuring that PPE is consistently inspected and cleaned is crucial for its effectiveness and the safety of the users. Proper cleaning and adherence to the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance are key to maintaining its hygienic condition and functionality. Monitoring and replacing PPE before its expiration date is also vital to ensure compliance with current safety standards. As a HSEQ consultant, I always ensure to set up a PPE register for clientele in a cloud-based solution that will remind them of any upcoming expiration dates for their PPE.

The maintenance of fire-fighting, first aid or personal protection equipment, whether in a higher education establishment or in any other activity, is crucial to guarantee the safety of people, the protection of assets and compliance with regulations . Contributes to an effective response to fires/accidents and to minimizing damage in emergency situations. Equipment such as fire extinguishers, suppression and detection systems, and pump sets need to be fully functioning to respond effectively to emergency situations. Regular maintenance ensures this equipment is ready for immediate use when needed, minimizing damage and risk. Regular visual checking of them (also first aid equipment) also allows early detection of anomalies/deviations.

Personal Protective Equipment is the last item in the hierarchy of control because it fails to harm and requires the user to take care. Example are, Harness and lanyards belts, Safety shoes and Hi- visibility vests should be worn properly. The wearer should not wear oversized PPE because it would lead to harm. PPE worn incorrectly is a hazard waiting to happen. Ensure gender specifics aswell It is a personal item: when worn, the wearer should clean and maintain what is worn to prevent skin irritations or infections. Wear and tear or defect should be reported immediately to the supervisor and changed before use. Use appropriate PPE: use a gum boot when casting concrete and cement, Use safety boot with steel in-toe and slip resistant

PPE should be mandatory in labs and workshops. Students should be taught on the proper use of PPE cause if used wrongly it might cause harm. They should make it a habit to always put on their personal protective equipment whilst in the workshops and laboratories.

Health and Safety management in workplaces can be hard to manage without proper systems in place to make it as efficient as possible! I work with cloud-based consulting solutions to allow businesses of all sizes from SME's to organisations as large as the education industry. It has been a monumental change within so many industries with the switch from paper-based documentation sitting in a neglected storage drive to a system that encourages top-management and staff equally to contribute to the ever-growing issue of occupational health and safety.

Maintaining safety equipment in higher education environments requires routine inspections, prompt maintenance, and appropriate storage. To guarantee that equipment is constantly in top shape, create an inspection schedule, instruct personnel on how to use it properly, and maintain thorough records of all maintenance procedures.

All activities should have a hazard identification along with a risk assessment to evaluate the residual risks and apply suitable control measures to ensure the best possible risk management in the occupational setting involved. ??

A los resultados efectivos de la manutención de los equipos de seguridad a mi me ha resultado útil una adecuada se?alizacion y la rotación del personal que debe revisarlos y garantizar su disponibilidad. Considero que si más personas conocen de la existencia de estos equipos, más afectiva será la respuesta; no encasillar la revisión exclusivamente al personal de seguridad industrial es una buena práctica.

En mi experiencia para asegurar que todo funcione correctamente la empresa tiene que contar con personal idóneo en las siguientes areas: - Asesoramiento HSE - Compras (just in time) - Auditor (gestor de indicadores de uso / nuevas necesidades) - Capacitador - Gerente con buena predisposición para invertir en capacitación, EPP, asesoramiento HSE, depto de compras y logística. Para que las cosas sucedan, no hay magia, hace falta compromiso real.