Want to keep your team as safe as possible in the workplace?
Every year there are 10,000 cases of cardiac arrests in the workplace. And these are not accidents. These are emergencies which require immediate attention and life-saving first aid.
These are incidents where someone suddenly collapses due to a problem with their heart. It can happen to anybody at any time.
The scariest stat to think about is this…
You might be forgiven for believing that as long as you have an AED available in your place of business, everything is ok. The truth is only 50% of employees can find a defibrillator in their office. So, that’s half your workforce which will not know where to find the equipment when they need it.
But, it doesn’t need to be this way. Proper installation and use of a defibrillator cabinet can significantly improve workplace safety and provide the best chance for a cardiac arrest victim to survive.
In this article you will find out:
- The Vital Role of AED Storage
- AED Cabinets Must-Have Features
- Strategic Locations for AED Cabinets
- Outdoor Protection of AEDs
The Vital Role of AED Storage
Did you know…
The AED cabinet location is as important as having an AED in the workplace in the first place.
You might have an AED available but it could be hidden in the back of a storage cupboard and impossible to find when seconds count. Or your AED could be damaged by bad weather if it’s outside and not weatherproof.
But if you have a dedicated defibrillator cabinet, your workforce will know exactly where to find the life-saving equipment when it’s needed.
Statistically, with every minute defibrillation is delayed after a cardiac arrest, the survival rate of the victim falls by 7-10%. That’s a small window of time to act.
If your AED is lost in a storage closet, or damaged by bad weather, then those minutes will be wasted. But if you have a properly fitted defibrillator cabinet your employees know exactly where to find the equipment.
The statistics back this up. Victims who get defibrillation within 3 minutes have a 70% survival rate. The longer defibrillation is delayed, the lower this number becomes.
That’s where defibrillator cabinets become so important.
A good cabinet doesn’t just store the AED. It protects it, displays it for easy location and ensures it’s ready to go when you need it most.
AED Cabinets Must-Have Features
You might be wondering what makes a defibrillator cabinet good or great…
As with all things, it’s the little details that count the most when the time comes.
Visibility is critical. You want your defibrillator cabinet to be bright and obvious. It should not be able to be missed in your workplace environment. Green and yellow are best because these are the traditional emergency colours.
Visibility is not enough though. You need the cabinet to keep your AED safe from damage but easily accessible too. The very best cabinets will include:
- Weather seals to prevent moisture and dust ingress
- Temperature control for battery protection
- Impact protection in case of an accident
- Clear signs which everyone can see and understand
And one more thing…
Don’t overlook the power source for your AED. You should consider using a self powered defibrillator cabinet which doesn’t require a hard-wired power source but still keeps the AED protected and ready to use.
This is especially important to remember as AED batteries can become damaged in extreme temperatures. Cold air weakens the power of AED batteries. Hot air can damage the electrode pads, which are used to shock the heart.
The end result of this could be a complete loss of functionality of your AED.
Strategic Locations for AED Cabinets
This is one of the areas in which a lot of businesses make mistakes.
They invest in a high quality AED and cabinet, and then put them somewhere convenient rather than somewhere strategic.
The location of your defibrillator cabinet is more important than you might think.
You want to position your cabinet in the most prominent places where most people will see and access it quickly. A main lobby or reception, break room or main corridors are best.
You also want to consider these locations:
- Gymnasium or fitness rooms where cardiac arrest is more likely to occur
- Large meeting rooms with a high person capacity
- Outdoor work areas where weatherproofing is important
- Production floors where medical help might be delayed
The goal is that anyone should be able to grab the AED and get back to the patient in 2-3 minutes maximum.
Walk through your building layout and consider where the AED should go. Can someone on the third floor get to your AED unit fast enough? What about workers in your warehouse or parking lot?
Here’s a little professional secret for you:
Position your AED cabinet at 48 inches from the floor, which is around eye level. This will make it accessible for someone in a wheelchair but will also keep it visible.
You are not just installing a piece of equipment. You are creating a safety web which could end up saving the life of a colleague, customer or visitor to your premises.
Outdoor Protection of AEDs
You will be surprised to hear…
Workers outdoors are at just the same risk of cardiac arrest as those indoors. But they’re often the furthest away from help.
If you have areas of your business where people are working outside, loading docks, or construction areas, you will need to have weatherproof AED storage. An indoor AED cabinet will not work.
Outdoor AED cabinets need to be able to withstand:
- Rain and snow which can penetrate electronics
- Extreme temperatures which damage batteries
- UV rays from the sun which degrade plastic components
- Attempts at theft and vandalism
Look for outdoor cabinets with an IP66 rating – the highest possible level of weather and environmental protection. This means they are totally dustproof and can withstand high-pressure water jets without allowing moisture inside.
Weatherproofing your AED is not just about the elements though.
Some outdoor cabinets also come with built-in heaters to maintain a constant temperature for the AED. Others have built-in LED lighting for 24/7 visibility.
You might consider these things as overkill. But when a cardiac arrest happens to an outdoor worker, you want to give them every possible advantage.
Creating a Full Safety System
You might be surprised to hear this but…
A single defibrillator cabinet is not enough for most businesses. Large sites will require more than one AED. The trick is placing them in strategic places around the building so that no location is more than a 2-3 minute walk from life-saving equipment.
You can start with a map of your building and then identify high-risk areas like gyms, cafeterias, and public access areas. Then you will need to think about cabinet placement based on work rosters. Night shifts and weekend workers must have access to an AED too.
And don’t forget to include some basic training on using an AED. Although modern AEDs come with voice prompts, some basic knowledge will increase the confidence of your employees.
The bottom line is this…
Your defibrillator cabinet is part of a bigger safety culture. When you employees see that you are investing in high-quality life-saving equipment it shows them you care about their wellbeing.
Wrapping It Up
Defibrillator cabinets are not just for AED storage. These are the foundations of workplace cardiac emergency preparedness. As it stands only 50% of employees are able to locate AEDs in their place of work. Proper AED cabinet location and protection can mean the difference between life and death.
The science is undeniable, early defibrillation is life saving. But that only works if your AED is well protected, visible and instantly accessible.
Whether you need indoor defibrillator cabinets for office buildings or weather proof outdoor units for industrial facilities. Your investment in quality storage will pay dividends when it matters the most.
Keep the following points in mind:
- Visibility so that people can quickly locate your AED
- Outdoor weather protection to keep your equipment functioning in all conditions
- Strategic cabinet placement to improve response times
- Quality cabinets which will protect your investment and save lives
Pick defibrillator cabinets which will enhance your workplace safety standards and give your team the protection they deserve.