Shell International Ltd received the largest fine todate since the arrival of the Fire Safety Order 2005 it was for £300,000, during an investigation it was noted that their fire safety risk assessment had not been reviewed for 5 years. (the best of)

Fire Safety Risk Assessment

What is a risk assessment?
 
A risk assessment is process carried out to indentify significant risks in the workplace and to ensure as far as reasonably practicable that exposure to the risks are either stopped, or reduced to an acceptable level.
 
A fire safety risk assessment is carried out in the same format as a normal risk assessment, however the person carrying out this assessment will be paying attention to only the risk of fire in the premise.
 
Who can carry out a fire safety risk assessment?
 
Any competent person can carry out the fire safety risk assessment, however it is the responsible person (click here to see the list, who is responsible) who has to ensure it has been completed and will be held accountable by law for any shortfalls.
 
A competent person is a person who has sufficient training, experience, knowledge or other qualities to enable them to undertake the task in question.
 
Who does the fire safety risk assessment cover?
 
The fire safety risk assessment covers everyone who does or might use your premise this includes employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public. You should pay particular attention to people who may have a disability or anyone who may need special help.
 
How to carry out a fire safety risk assessment
 
A fire safety risk assessment can be carried out in five simple steps,
 
  1. Identify the hazards within your premises
  2. Identify the people at risk
  3. Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
  4. Record, plan, instruct, inform and train
  5. Review

For a fire safety risk assessment checklist click here.

Step 1 - Identify the hazards within your premises
For the first stage of the risk assessment you will need to identify the following hazards,
  • All sources of ignition, these include any naked flames, heaters and machinery.
  • The fire loading in the building, these include items on display, stock in storage, textiles and waste found throughout the building.
  • Sources of oxygen for example air conditioning units or cooling processes.
Step 2 - Identify the people at risk
This step you will need to identify anyone who may be especially at risk, for example,
  • Alone workers
  • People working in hazardous areas
  • Anyone working in an isolated area
  • Children, babies and the elderly
  • Someone who is disabled
Step 3 - Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
This step is all about evaluating the information you have gathered and then removing or reducing any fire hazards you have identified. For example, storing flammable materials away from ignition sources and limiting access to hazardous areas or machinery.
 
Once the risk of fire in the work place has been reduced as far as possible, you need to review the remaining risks and decide if any further measures are required to ensure you provide a reasonable level of fire safety. Below are some examples of further measures,
 
  • Fire extinguishers or other means of fighting small fires
  • A fire alarm
  • Emergency lighting
  • Additional fire escapes or other assisting features i.e. a ramp
  • Suitable fire-safety signs and / or warning posters
  • Training for staff in basic fire fighting and fire marshals
Remember - The above list is not to be treated as a substitute for removing and reducing the risk of a fire, but instead as additional measures.
 
Step 4 - Record, plan, instruct, inform and train
Once you are satisfied that you have reduced the risk of fire to an acceptable level you need record your findings from steps 1 &2 and your actions from step 3. These can be recorded on a suitable plan or click here for a purpose made form.
 
Next you will need to create an emergency fire plan, this plan should include the actions to take on finding a fire in you premise. This plan needs to be clearly displayed or given to staff and visitors and other uses of the premise.
 
Finally you will need to ensure that employees have given an adequate amount of information and training, some staff i.e. fire marshals will require more thorough training.
 
Step 5 - Review
The fire safety risk assessment should be review a minimum of every 12 months, however if any changes take place in the premise a review of the assessment will be required sooner.
 
Further information
 
 

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