 Legislative Requirements
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.
The Order applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Responsible Persons
Responsibility for complying with the Fire Safety Order will rest with the 'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, eg the occupier or owner. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises, each must take all reasonable steps to work with each other. If you employ 5 or more people then you must record the significant findings of the assessment.
So, if you are;
- Responsible for business premises
- An employer
- Self-employed with business premises
- A charity or voluntary organisation or
- A contractor with a degree of control over premises
......then you are now “Responsible” for ensuring a fire risk assessment of your workplace is conducted by a “competent person”.
A “competent person” is someone who has received suitable and sufficient training and has the relevant experience and knowledge to conduct a fire risk assessment.
What you must now do
The Fire Safety Order now requires that you must conduct a risk assessment and......
- Step 1 - Identify the fire hazards
- Step 2 - Identify people at risk
- Step 3 - Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
- Step 4 - Record, plan, instruct, inform and train
- Step 5 - Review
So what are the options?
Depending on the industry sector you work within, the size and complexity of your premises and the level of competency and/or experience of your staff you have a number of options available to you....
- Do nothing
A risky strategy! It may take some time for the fire authorities to check on your company, but if when they do you are unable to provide a fire risk assessment, they will be less inclined to be supportive should you require time to comply and you may face expensive fines and in extreme cases, possibly imprisonment.
- Do it yourself
If you have a small or less complex building and feel that either you, or a member of your team are “competent” you may decide to carry out your own risk assessment, after all, who knows your business better that you? There are a variety of tools available to help guide you and the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) has published a range of industry specific guidance documents to assist in this process.
- Train your staff to do it
If you already have a health and safety department then it may be beneficial to cross train your staff to enable them to also manage fire safety. Riskmonitor can provide the necessary training and tools to enable staff with the relevant experience and/or qualifications to complete your fire risk assessments.
- Work with a strategic partner
You may consider working with a team of external consultants like ourselves who can provide the necessary competency to carry out your risk assessments. At that point your partner can leave you to manage through the significant findings and any resultant remedial works or you may elect to appoint the partner to oversee the process on your behalf.
How can Riskmonitor help?
 Whatever your decision RAMIS has a solution to fit your needs and budget. Our annual contract plans provide a number of alternatives.
If you would like to find out how Riskmonitor can support your company contact us now. |
