Written by: Randy Walker

Checking emergency evacuation routes regularly may not go far enough to ensure everyone’s safety if a real-life emergency arises. Emergency lights and emergency light batteries in the workplace play a key role in a successful evacuation. Avoiding these 3 emergency mistakes can save evacuation time and lives.

1. No emergency lights outside

A practice evacuation prepares the safety team and employees for a real-life emergency. Holding these mock evacuations during early morning or late night shifts will expose areas where more lighting will benefit a safe evacuation. Outdoor evacuation routes become dangerous for employees when emergency light batteries run low or no lighting exists at all.

Outdoor evacuation routes must have lights and signs that guide employees to their designated meeting area. A safety team member then counts heads to make sure everyone got out of the building safely.

2. Low batteries or no backup batteries

A fire sparks and employees must evacuate the building. The batteries in half the emergency lights flicker or are out completely, which confuses employees and makes the evacuation dangerously slow as all the electricity in the building goes out.

Maintenance checks on all emergency lights include changing and charging the batteries. For the longest lasting emergency lighting, keep elb06042 lithonia battery 6v 4ah 20hr charged and in stock. Buy these long lasting batteries in packs of 10 or cases of 20 and keep them charged for backup use in cases of emergency.

Check for low emergency light batteries each time the emergency alarm system is checked. Early warning gives employees’ time get out of the building and away from danger. Batteries power the alarms and lights needed for a safe evacuation. Staying prepared will keep employees safe during a real-life emergency event.

3. No emergency evacuation plan in place

OSHA does not require companies with 10 or fewer employees to keep a written evacuation plan. Start the New Year off by evaluating your evacuation plans and making changes if more than 10 people now work with the company. Write out the evacuation plan and post maps in each department, the break rooms, restrooms and main office. Clearly mark the nearest evacuation route in each area a map is posted.

Replace outdated exit signs and emergency lights with OSHA approved products. Each department needs at least one safety team member to keep the department up-to-date on safety procedures and to keep evacuation routes clear of obstacles.

Always keep lights and batteries ready for use in an emergency. Alarms and emergency lights save lives. Regular maintenance keeps emergency equipment ready for use and gives employees time to safely leave the building.