Q & A - Oct 2009
October 1st 2009 I know that I'm legally obliged to reduce fire risk to protect employees and my business, but where do I start when conducting a fire risk assessment?
It's nearly three years since the new
fire safety law – the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order RRFSO –
was introduced. It sounds like a
heavyweight piece of legislation, and
although it does cover a lot of
ground, the requirements for the
average business are fairly easy to
explain.
Conducting a fire risk assessment
and acting on the findings are a key
requirement under the RRFSO.
Compliance rates are not as good as
they could be and the Fire Rescue
Service is keen to prosecute firms
that don't conform. Out of 68,000
fire safety audits carried out
(2007/2008), the Fire and Rescue
Services reported that 40% were
judged to be unsatisfactory. While
many were dealt with informally,
well over 4,000 faced some sort of
enforcement action.
Conducting a fire risk assessment
will not only identify risks to those
working within the business, but also
risks to members of the public or
visitors to the premises.
Responsibility for carrying out an
adequate risk assessment lies with
the 'Responsible Person'. This is
usually the employer, although for
some commercial properties the
landlord or managing agent can also
have responsibilities.
The purpose of the risk
assessment is to identify and record
any hazards and reduce them to an
acceptable level. These can include
flammable materials such as solvents
or packaging, or activities that could
give rise to ignition. It should take
into account the characteristics of
the building and the number of
people present on the premises,
including staff and visitors.
If the company employs more than
five people, a system for managing
fire safety must be recorded. In
addition to a risk assessment, this
should include a fire safety policy,
incorporating procedures for
evacuation. Fire fighting equipment
should also be provided and staff
should be familiar with how to use it.
It is vital to communicate the
findings of the risk assessment to
employees, especially supervisors so
that the risk of fire can be reduced.
Any fire drills or exercises should be
carried out to ensure employees
understand what to do in the event
of a fire.
A fire poses great risks for any
business and the importance of
carrying out a fire risk assessment
cannot be overemphasised as the
lives, property and business
resilience depend on it.
Andrew Couch is a consultant for
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