fire safety talk

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regs 1999

Fire Safety Implications

Vizion 21

The Management of health & Safety at Work Regs 1999

Revision of the Management of Heath & Safety Regs 1992.

Came into force on 29 December 1999

Require self regulation and development of a safety culture.

Introduced new duty to risk assess activities of young persons and expectant mothers.

Vizion 21

The Management of health & Safety at Work Regs 1999

Makes it a duty for all employers to carry out fire safety risk assessments even if previously covered by ‘Fire Certificates’.

Fire Risk Assessment

Vizion 21

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Risk assessment 3. - (1) Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of -

(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and

(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking,

for the purpose of identifying the measures he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions and by Part II of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997.

Vizion 21

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1977

as Amended Dec 1999

FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE

Application of Part II

3. - (1) Every employer shall ensure that the requirements of this Part of these Regulations are complied with in respect of every workplace, other than an excepted workplace, which is to any extent under his control.

Vizion 21

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1977 EXCEPTED WORKPLACES

For the purposes of these Regulations, an "excepted workplace" is -

A premises to which the Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) Regulations 1989 apply;

A construction site; A ship other than a ship which is-

in the course of construction; or in the course of repair by persons who include persons other than the master and

crew of the ship; A mine, other than any building on the surface at a mine; An offshore installation An aircraft, locomotive or rolling stock, trailer or semi-trailer used as a

means of transport or a vehicle; and any workplace which is in fields, woods or other land forming part of an

agricultural or forestry undertaking.

Vizion 21

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1977 Requirements of Part II

Fire-fighting and fire detection

Employers shall: provide appropriate fire-fighting equipment, fire detectors and alarms; and

ensure it is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.

take measures for fire-fighting in the workplace taking into account persons other than his employees who may be present;

nominate employees to implement those measures and ensure that the number of such employees, their training and the equipment available to them are adequate; and

arrange any necessary contacts with external emergency services, particularly as regards rescue work and fire-fighting.

Vizion 21

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1977 Requirements of Part II con’t

Emergency routes and exits

Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of employees in case of fire, routes to emergency exits from a workplace and the exits themselves shall be kept clear at all times.

emergency routes and exits shall lead as directly as possible to a place of safety;

in the event of danger, it must be possible for employees to evacuate the workplace quickly and as safely as possible;

the number, distribution and dimensions of emergency routes and exits shall be adequate having regard to the use, equipment and dimensions of the workplace and the maximum number of persons that may be present there at any one time;

emergency doors shall open in the direction of escape;

Vizion 21


Emergency routes and exits con’t

sliding or revolving doors shall not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits;

emergency doors shall not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency;

emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs; and

emergency routes and exits requiring illumination shall be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting.

Vizion 21


Maintenance

Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of employees in case of fire, the workplace and any equipment and devices provided in respect of the workplace shall be subject to a suitable system of maintenance and be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

Vizion 21

What is a ‘Risk Assessment’?

It is an organised look at what potential hazards, in your work activities and workplace, could cause harm to people and what is the risk of this happening.

Key words are HAZARDS RISK HARM

Vizion 21

Hazards – Harm - Risk Hazard

Something that has the potential to cause harm. E.g. Tripping hazard, naked flame, electrical equipment.

Harm The consequence of a hazard which can range

from minor injury to multiple deaths. Risk

Likelihood of the hazard causing the accident/incident. Range from unlikely to certain.

Vizion 21

How do you do a fire risk assessment?

Follow the five steps Step 1 - Identify potential fire hazards

in the workplace. Step 2 – Decide who (eg employees,

visitors) might be in danger. Step 3 – Evaluate the risk of the fire

hazard becoming a fire and if so whether your fire precautions and procedures would cope.

Vizion 21

How do you do a fire risk assessment?

Follow the five steps Step 4 – Record your findings and

details of the action you took as a result.

Step 5 – Communicate with your employees and review/revise the assessment annually.

Vizion 21

Risk Assessment A risk assessment is essentially a

matter of applying informed common sense.

Only identify hazards that could reasonably be expected to cause danger.

Ignore the trivial and concentrate on the significant hazards.

Vizion 21

Risk Assessment Remember to be systematic and cover all

areas of the workplace. If you share workspace with other

employers you will need to consult them on your findings.

Always consider disabled people in your assessment.

If you have an existing fire certificate ensure you consult with local fire brigade before making any major changes.

Vizion 21

What hazards should we look for?

Sources of ignition Smokers materials Naked flames Electric/gas heaters Hot processes i.e. welding, grinding, etc Cooking Engines or boilers Machinery Faulty electrical equipment Lighting equipment Sparks from impacts, arson, etc

Vizion 21


Sources of fuel Flammable liquid based products e.g. paints,

varnish, adhesives, Tipex, etc. Flammable liquids & solvents e.g petrol,

thinners, white spirit, paraffin. Flammable chemicals Wood Paper and card Plastics, rubber, foam Flammable gases such as LPG or acetylene. Waste materials dust, etc.

Vizion 21


Sources of oxygen Some chemicals release oxygen when

they burn/get hot. Oxygen from cylinders or storage

pipes. The air we breath!

Vizion 21

What controls might we need to put in place?

Reduce or remove sources of ignition. Remove unnecessary sources of heat Provide safer forms of heating or equipment

with heat cut out devices installed. Ensure electrical equipment are correctly

fused and where possible fitted with circuit breakers.

Keep ducts and flues clean. Carryout regular maintenance on equipment.

Vizion 21


Minimise the potential fuel for fire. Remove as many flammable substances

from the workplace. Replace materials with less flammable

alternatives. Ensure flammable materials/substances are

stored and transported safely. (Train staff) Ensure adequate separation distances

between flammable materials and store in fire resisting stores.

Vizion 21


Reduce sources of oxygen. Close fire doors and windows not used for

ventilation especially out of work hours. Shut down ventilation systems not

essential to the workplace. Don’t store oxidising materials near or

with heat sources or flammable materials. Control the use & storage of oxygen

cylinders/pipes.

Vizion 21

SUMMARY All employers must carryout fire risk

assessments. The assessment should be recorded and

action taken to remedy hazards or reduce risks.

Enforced by Local fire brigades. Vizion 21 can help you with the process

of risk assessment or give training to staff on how to carryout a risk assessment.

Vizion 21

Presented by Matthew Anderson Produced by

Vizion 21 Environmental Health & Safety Consultancy.

Tel: 01243 586401 Or 0797 4941398

fire safety talk

Documents