What is workplace fire safety?
Workplace fire safety involves a set of rules and practices that have been put in place by a responsible person, to assist in reducing any damage, destruction, or personal injury that a fire can cause. These measures include preventing an uncontrolled fire from starting in the first place, as well as those that can be used to minimise the spread and result of a fire once it has started.
Workplace fire safety is important as fires in the workplace can have huge effects on both individuals and businesses. Apart from building damage and loss, other costs to companies can include insurance costs, clean up costs, loss of output and profit, loss of reputation. Employees can suffer personal injury, psychological trauma and even loss of life because of a fire. In order to avoid or reduce all these risks, it is everyone’s responsibility to do their part.
To implement fire safety procedures in the workplace, the first port of call is for the employer or responsible person to action a fire risk assessment. The fire risk assessment has 5 main steps:
- Identify any fire hazards
- Identify who the people at risk are from these hazards
- Evaluate the risks and introduce controls
- Record any major findings and action you have taken, discuss and work with responsible people, ensure an emergency plan is prepared, inform, and instruct relevant people, provide adequate and suitable training
- Review annually or whenever any significant changes have taken place
Fire safety tips and workplace fire safety checklists
- In order for a fire to burn, it needs 3 components: Heat, Oxygen and Fuel. Take away any of these and the fire will die out.
- Keeping a building tidy or good housekeeping plays an essential part in preventing fires and minimising risks.
- Heat or sources of ignition such as gas, naked flames and sparks should be kept well away from sources of fuel like cardboard, wood, textiles, and rubbish.
- Keep fire exits and escape routes clear
- Clean regularly to avoid the build-up of combustible materials
- Regularly check electrical equipment, plugs and wiring and never overload sockets
- Avoid portable heaters where possible
- Have designated smoking area, away from anything combustible
- Have good security measures and storage/housekeeping to reduce the risk of arson attempts
Workplace fire safety rules include having an emergency plan relevant to the company or office space; making sure everyone knows the evacuation procedure and having regular fire evacuation drills; appointing fire marshals to make sure that people are evacuated in the event of a fire; ensuring fire safety equipment is ready to use and is checked regularly.
What are the responsibilities to maintain workplace fire safety
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was introduced to replace more than seventy different laws in England and Wales. The responsibility of ensuring a building is safe now falls with the building owner, occupier or employer. This all falls under fire safety in the workplace legislation.
Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace? Both the employer / responsible person and the employee. Duties of the “responsible” person include ensuring a fire risk assessment has been carried out; there is appropriate fire safety equipment in the workplace that is operational and maintained, and providing training to employees. The legal requirements of an employee in workplace fire safety are to act in a way that does not put either themselves or others at risk; co-operate with their employer and keep the responsible person informed of any dangers they may find.
Fire safety training in the workplace at OHS Compliance Ltd
OHS Compliance Ltd offers Level 1 and 2 Fire Safety Awareness courses. Many people ask why is fire safety training in the workplace important? Our courses cover all the relevant and important information for employees and fire marshals so that they can be well informed on subjects like fire safety signs in the workplace; what the fire safety policy in the workplace is; fire safety guidelines for the workplace; types of extinguishers and fires as well as fire safety in the workplace regulations.
The Level 1 Award in the Principles of Fire Safety Awareness is an introductory course that teaches delegates about the basics of fire safety guidelines for the workplace.
The Level 2 Award in the Principles of Fire Safety offers delegates more in-depth knowledge about fire safety and can be used for training in the appointment of fire marshals or wardens.