If the response to any of the following questions in this checklist is "NO," and if no other alternative hazard controls are in place for the identified hazard, panic buttons are likely not effective.

 

 

The above covers the complete chain of events from the initial signaling at the entertainer's point of use through notification and to response from the establishment. The rule does not prohibit entertainer owned devices supplementing the devices provided by establishment (e.g., as a backup method).

 

 

Panic buttons which require multiple actions (such as using a number pad to unlock/dial a cell phone, or selecting a channel/frequency on a portable radio, or pressing a button and then speaking) would require an entertainer to extend their exposure to a hazard in order to seek relief from it.

 

 

Once triggered, panic buttons alarms continue to both alarm and identify the location of the used panic button(s) without requiring ongoing action of the entertainer. Panic buttons requiring ongoing actions of the entertainer (continued holding/pressing, etc.) would require an entertainer to extend their exposure to a hazard in order to seek relief from it.

 

 

Once triggered, panic buttons alarms are not easily reset at the panic button (entertainer's point of use) itself, especially using the same action that activated it. Panic buttons which can be readily turned off or reset by customers would delay response actions and allow continued exposure to the hazard.

 

 

False alarms increase the likelihood of delayed, deprioritized, or ignored alarms. Buttons, switches, etc., which are protected, shouldered, recessed, or flush with top surface/bracket/etc. reduce the likelihood of false alarms.

 

 

Uncoordinated response to panic buttons increases the likelihood of response actions being delayed or otherwise inadequate.

 

 

If an establishment's panic button response procedures dictate that after the triggering of a panic button, uninvolved entertainers should continue entertaining while the establishment conducts response activities; then panic buttons alarm systems (and response procedures) would need to continue to fully function during an alarm (or multiple alarms). Indistinct alarms, or alarms where the establishment cannot identify/respond to multiple simultaneous alarms, increase the likelihood of response actions being delayed or otherwise inadequate.

 

 

At the establishment's point of reception, alarms must be recognizable in the conditions under which they will be used. The following can obscure alarms sufficiently enough to make an alarm unrecognizable:

- Areas subject to noise/music at volumes equal or above the volume of an alarm;

- Areas subject to strobing lighting equal or above the amount of illumination of an alarm;

- Areas with sufficient distance, intermediary materials, or the room/building configuration itself, impairs alarm signals to the point that they are no longer recognizable.

At the entertainer's point of use, panic buttons may be either discreet, or produce an audible alarm. Discreet panic buttons reduce the likelihood of escalating a confrontation towards violence, but simultaneously prevent other entertainers and personnel in the area from knowing a panic button was triggered. Regardless of which method is used, associated hazards must be further mitigated such as via a multistage alarm (normally discreet, only audible if alarm malfunction, etc.), multicomponent alarm (using notification lights, rather than audible alarms, within adjacent booths/rooms/etc., in conjunction with indicator light(s) outside booth/room/etc., to signal and locate the use of a panic button).

 

 

For the purposes of this question, "alone" means outside of direct line-of-sight of other establishment personnel, entertainers, employees, etc., such as in private or semi-private booths, rooms, etc.

 

 

Panic buttons must be kept free of obstacles blocking their use (doors, furniture, mop buckets, boxes, coat racks, etc.).

 

 

Keep a record of, and inform entertainers of, nonfunctional/improperly working panic buttons until replaced or repaired.

- Use signage or otherwise inform entertainers prior to working; and

- Use written procedures and policies in Accident Prevention Plan that prohibit or restrict access to relevant areas.