Despite a fire risk assessment being a legal requirement in the UK, the sheer danger of having a business that is not equipped or trained to act appropriately to fire risk is catastrophic, and sadly more common than you think. Here is some advice for an employer of a business, or equally for an employee, to make sure you are safe in your work environment.
By law, all your employees should receive fire training on induction. Therefore, if you do not remember getting introduced to fire exits, fire alarm systems or drills, then this is something that you should urgently follow up on. As an employee it is your responsibility to ensure that this happens, however, in terms of personal safety, you are entitled to question your lack of training.
Although many smaller businesses may assume that a full-length fire risk assessment is overkill, a business with five or more people must have evidence of a fire risk assessment that explains how it will prevent escalation and potential risks. The person who is chosen to do this does not need to be trained, however, they do need to be chosen with the consideration of having major responsibility and a sensible judgement of the premises.
There are many stages to an assessment however a business will need to implement protocols such as fire alarm and extinguisher servicing. Despite this, you can get training if you feel unsure. This can be from businesses such as Fire Risk Assessment Bristol http://keloscape.co.uk/areas-we-cover/fire-safety-consultancy-bristol/ where you can also get staff training days.
In training, it is essential that staff members learn the basics of fire safety such as how to use a fire extinguisher so they can stop a small situation from escalating. Harmless scenarios such as burning toasters can very quickly develop into a fire if these skills aren’t acquired, or fire alarms are not regularly checked.
Not only can fires completely destroy the building itself and cause injuries to people working in it, but they can simultaneously destroy the reputation of the business. A fire can be a reflection of poor management and a business going downhill.
Therefore, as well as avoiding getting fined, it is well worth familiarising yourself with your work’s fire regulations or bringing up gaps in the training. After all, lives are at risk…