A quick guide to fire risk assessments in the workplace

Every year in the UK, workplace fires cause serious, and often fatal, injuries to employees. They also cost employers millions of pounds in the form of compensation claims, repairs to damaged premises and loss of custom.
As a result of legislation changes in 2006, the Fire Safety Order came into being and from this point onwards, fire certificates were no longer issued. As a result, UK employers today are expected to carry out what are known as ‘fire risk assessments’, which involve a series of steps, aimed at reducing the likelihood of fires, and any subsequent injuries and damage to property. The first step this type of assessment is the identification of fire hazards; namely, any items which could potentially cause a fire, such as kitchen appliances or flammable materials.
It must then be determined which people in the workplace are most at risk; this could be disabled employees, or those who work next to an identified hazard. The hazards then need to be examined, so that the risk they pose can either be eliminated, or at the very least, reduced. This step is essential and examples of it might include ensuring that fire extinguishers are placed close to the hazard, or replacing flammable materials with flame-retardant ones.
After this, the person responsible for carrying out the fire risk assessment should then take note of all of the information they have gathered, and take appropriate action. For businesses with five employees or more for instance, it is a legal requirement to provide those working on the premises with fire safety training, and to have an emergency plan prepared in the event of a fire. Lastly, fire risk assessments need to be reviewed periodically, and revised if circumstances change.
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The many roles which health and safety services play in the workplace

When examining the accumulated annual costs of work-place hazards, absenteeism and employee illness, most employers in the UK would agree that health and safety services are essential. But what exactly is it that these healthy and safety companies do? Well, although it varies slightly from one company to another, there are some fundamental services which every business of this nature will provide.
Workplace inspections are a key component of virtually all health and safety services. Regular inspection by trained H&S officers will ensure that the workplace complies with procedures, policies and legislation. The company offering this service might provide physical inspections, or they may help by managing the monitoring process.
This type of company might also carry out the preparation of a customised health and safety policy for a particular workplace, which is structured in such a way that it fits in with how the business operates. This policy would typically offer guidance on the day-to-day reduction or elimination of hazards, and would also specify the names of those responsible for these tasks.
Companies offering health and safety services will often carry out audits of office environments too, helping to identify both immediate and hidden hazards, which may pose a risk to employees. As part of the audit, they may recommend a course of action, such as the removal of a hazard, or a training seminar for employees. Other commonly-provided services include fire risk assessments, asbestos management as well as accident investigations and reports, all of which when combined, form a thorough defence against hazards which could have a detrimental effect on a business.
For further details about Health and safety services and fire risk assessments Please visit the website.