In An Evacuation Emergency, How Will The Event Be Handled? When a site evacuation is required, the speed with which the workforce mobilises and evacuates the site is critical. Many businesses install some sort of evacuation notification system for workers but have you considered whether there's bottlenecks or friction in your process? Our construction customers identified a common problem with their site evacuations that we've worked with another supplier to solve.

The Construction Industry Has A Waste Problem Did you know Australia’s construction and demolition industry generates more than 27 million tonnes of waste production each year? It's the largest source of managed waste in Australia. While generated on Australian building sites, not all waste is diverted to our domestic landfills. We export glass, plastic, tyres, paper/cardboard, and some hazardous waste. However this will no longer be the status quo.

Digitizing Our Instruction Manual & User Guides Late 2021 we migrated our instruction manual and user guides to an online knowledge base app. As one of the most innovative plug-and-play evacuation and nurse call system providers in the APAC region, we realised that providing our customers with a printed guide upon receipt of their system didn't align with our business philosophy OR our customer's requirements ongoing. We see the benefits as follows:

‘Human Error’ has long been identified as a contributing factor to incident causation Commonly cited statistics claim that human error is responsible for anywhere between 70-100% of workplace safety incidents. While it's tempting as a business to apportion blame to a person or group of people, it ignores conditions and processes that may have contributed to the incident. It also highlights that no matter how 'safe' your workplace is, there's always a chance that a workplace emergency will occur when humans are involved.

We live in a high tech world Every industry is embracing digital innovation to maximise business opportunities and take advantage of benefits like enhanced agility and process improvement. Digital technologies are constantly evolving to utilise 21st century innovations and the powerful computer we’re all carrying around in our pockets.

As buildings around the country age, and prime real estate becomes less available, refurbishment projects are becoming increasingly common. However, these projects are more challenging than new construction projects because they require operators to accommodate existing structures, often with confined spaces and limited access. This can pose a greater safety risk for workers who must work in an environment initially constructed to adhere to different building regulations.

Approaching Retrofitting The Right Way When we’re engaged to quote on a system, often it’s for a customer who wishes to install within an existing structure. Given Vanguard Wireless systems utilise a mesh RF and/or cellular connection, our systems don’t need to be hard wired into a building, particularly if the devices will be battery powered. Thus retrofitting our systems require little to no additional investment.

With studies showing that Covid-19 can survive up to 72 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces, businesses need to be vigilant in cleaning high touch areas including buttons, switches, and turnstiles. Any practices that can be implemented to reduce worker contact will only have a positive impact on their safety. Personal Nurse Call Triggers Regardless of the nurse call system your business uses, you can make your site safer for your workers with a virtual nurse call system.

When was the last time you booked a hotel or restaurant without first checking out online reviews? When you need a plumber, do you ask your neighbor for a recommendation? How much merit do you place in a business having great reviews, testimonials or ratings?

While we love to sell customers new systems, there are occasions where an existing system is no longer required for a completed site but could be used wholly or partially at another site. Reusing a Vanguard Wireless nurse call or evacuation device – or a group of them – has numerous environmental and budgetary benefits. From an environmental perspective, reuse helps to save energy, limits pollution, conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emission. From a budgetary perspective, it reduces the amount you need to invest in a system on another site. Provided the devices are in good working order and have been used in accordance with the operations manual, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t reuse.