Fire Safety In The Workplace | CheckFire Ltd
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Fire safety in the workplace

Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace, and what is the current legislation? Understanding and abiding by the relevant laws should be a top priority for building and business owners, who need to ensure a safe environment that meets all rules, regulations and required health and safety standards.

That means every effort must be taken to implement certain procedures, as well as ensure all the correct fire safety equipment is installed. Here, we take a look at the main considerations employers and building owners should bear in mind when it comes to fire safety at work.

Start with a risk assessment

Legislation concerning fire safety in the workplace is clear: fire risk assessments are legally required, must be conducted regularly and findings kept up to date in a fire safety log book. Fire safety log books exist to document and prove compliance with legal requirements, and should be completed following inspections, testing and any maintenance of fire safety equipment. A log book should also detail all fire equipment locations, false alarms, repairs, staff training and evacuation drills.

A fire risk assessment will closely look at the premises and assess the likelihood of a fire breaking out, as well as the potential causes and results of that would-be fire. The assessment will identify fire hazards and the people at risk and evaluate whether existing fire safety measures are adequate.

Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace?

The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005 requires the ‘responsible person’ of the premises to carry out the fire risk assessment. Often this is the employer, building owner, landlord, or anyone else with control of the premises, as they have thorough knowledge of the premises, making them ideal for carrying out the fire risk assessment.

However, fire risk assessments can also be hired as a service and carried out by a person or company deemed to be ‘competent’. The term ‘competence’ has come under debate in recent years due to the Grenfell Disaster and the subsequent Hackitt Review, but generally speaking, a ‘competent person’ is someone who is trained, experienced and skilled in fire risk assessment. Once it’s complete and hazards and dangers identified, the correct fire-fighting equipment must be installed.

Find out more about competency and legislation or take a more detailed look at who is responsible for fire safety.

Install appropriate fire safety equipment

Every effort should be made to ensure fires – accidental or otherwise – are prevented. Common sense actions like keeping sources of ignition and flammable substances apart and ensuring heaters can’t be knocked over, for example, should be employed alongside installing the correct fire-fighting equipment for the premises. To that end, fire safety in the workplace is dependent on the industry and environment the business operates in. Fire extinguisher type is specified according to the type of fire likely to break out in that environment. Hospitals, offices and schools, for example, would be more likely to have foam fire extinguishers on site, while commercial kitchens are more likely going to have foam fire extinguishers on site, while workshops, garage forecourts and construction sites benefit from dry powder fire extinguishers.

The importance of signage in an emergency shouldn’t be underestimated either. In the UK, it’s compulsory to ensure all emergency exits are visible with clear access. Fire exit signs can help people quickly move towards and locate exits, to help them safely off the premises. Similarly, fire extinguisher ID signs help with quick location and correct usage of vital fire-fighting equipment. Check whether the fire safety signage is up to date on your premises.

Why is fire safety training in the workplace important?

Ensuring all staff and users of the building are aware of your fire safety plan and expected actions and behaviour in the event of a fire is almost as important as installing the equipment itself. After all, a fire escape plan will only be successful if it’s well-communicated. Evacuation plans should detail several escape routes and emergency exits, and advise how they should be used. Employers should make sure regular training and fire drills in the workplace are carried out – this way, everyone will have confidence in their actions should an emergency situation arise.

Workplace fires can have devastating consequences for any business. To drastically reduce the likelihood of fire breaking out, refer back to these fire safety in the workplace tips and our news hub regularly, incorporate all legal requirements in day-to-day working and ensure all staff are trained in (or at the very least aware of) fire safety programmes.

 

The content of the CheckFire blog is for general information purposes only. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, under no circumstances should it be considered professional advice. Any reliance you place on the information is at your own risk. Always seek the advice of a fire professional for your particular circumstances and requirements.

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