Who is Responsible for Fire Safety in the Workplace?

What is the Main Piece of Legislation Concerning Fire Safety in the Workplace?

If you own, manage, or operate a company, you must adhere to fire safety legislation. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (commonly known as the “Fire Safety Order”) is the main piece of legislation. It applies in England and Wales and went into effect on October 1, 2006. The Order applies to almost every structure, location, and building other than individual private residences – that is, individual flats in a block or family houses.

Who Enforces the Fire Safety Order?

Fire safety rules are enforced by Fire Safety Enforcement Officers from the local Fire and Rescue Service. They can enter any workplace at any time, without prior notice, however notification may be given when the inspector considers it appropriate. The EO will then conduct an inspection of the premises, work activities, management of fire safety, and responsible person’s fire risk assessment to verify that they are fulfilling their responsibilities under fire safety legislation.

Who is Responsible for Fire Safety?

Employers are legally obligated to maintain a safe and healthy workplace in the United Kingdom. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 covers major health and safety obligations of employers toward their employees, as well as what information they must give them. Measures covered in this act include:

• Regular risk assessments are conducted and implemented
• Ensuring a competent person is appointed to oversee health and safety
• Setting-up emergency procedures
• Providing specific training to employees necessary for their roles

Responsibilities of a Workplace Building Owner

As the responsible person for your business premises, regarding fire safety, you will have to consider the following:

• Conducting fire risk assessments on a regular basis
• Informing staff of potential fire hazards
• Putting in place fire safety measures that are appropriate for your particular premises, and maintaining them
• Having an emergency plan in place in the event of a fire
• Providing employees with the necessary training to be prepared if a fire occurs
• Consider fire risks of any building work or extensions

Fire Risk Assessments

If you have five or more employees, you must maintain a written documentation of your fire risk assessment. These assessments are intended to discover any potential hazards or individuals who may be in danger and to decrease those risks as much as possible.

For example, it is important to check to see if your fire extinguishers are correct for the environment in which they will be used. Also, you will need to check that all emergency exits are marked clearly and that nothing is obstructing them.

Also, it’s recommended that a fire risk assessment is performed annually by a competent advisor (H&S) and then a professional surveyor every 3 to 4 years depending on changes to the building or business operations. Annual fire risk assessments are valid for 12 months and actions depending on their severity should be rectified as soon as possible as the client is liable to carry out these changes for the safety of all stakeholders in the business.

What Should Fire Training at Work Cover?

All employees should have ‘training on the required precautions and actions to safeguard themselves and other relevant persons on the premises’ as part of their safety training under the Fire Safety Act 2005. Simply said, it is the employer’s legal responsibility to ensure that workers receive fire safety training that is appropriate to their working environment when they first start working there.

Workers who are transferred to a new workplace, have a change of responsibilities, or are introduced to new equipment that might pose a fire danger will require further instruction. This training should teach employees about possible fire risks, how they can decrease their likelihood of causing a fire, and what they should do if a fire occurs.

Fire safety in the workplace is extremely important. Understanding who is the responsible person is paramount; as this will ultimately be the person responsible for the safety of all of the other occupants. After reading this blog, hopefully you are fully prepared to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.