FIRE PRECAUTIONS (WORKPLACE) REGULATIONS 1997, AS AMENDED 1999

The Requirements
Employers are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment of their workplace that should identify all potential fire hazards and any associated risks. Thereafter they should take action to minimise or eliminate any such hazards and risks, and provide a safe system for maintenance as appropriate.

Where there are 5 or more employees, a written record of the fire risk assessment must be kept. This is a criminal, rather than a civil, liability on employers. There are 6 other legal duties relating to nominated persons, consulting employees, other employers in the same building, control of premises, means of contacting emergency services, and cooperation by employees.

Employers also need to be aware of the provisions of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended) as they relate to fire precautions.

Need help with your fire risk assessment?
The Government has published 'Fire safety - an employer's guide' ISBN 0-11-341229-0, which is available from: The Stationery Office's Accredited Agents [see Yellow Pages], or from HSE Books Tel : 01787 881165 Fax 01787 313995, see website www.open.gov.uk/hse/hsehome.htm.

The guide explains what needs to be done to comply with the law relating to fire issues. It shows how to carry out your fire risk assessment and identify the safeguards that you should have in your workplace. Details include:

• Identifying Fire Hazards
  Sources of ignition
  Sources of fuel - fire load including contents and building materials
  Sources of oxygen

• Deciding who could be harmed
  The people at risk - employees, visitors, fire-fighters.
  How they will be warned and how they will escape?

• Evaluating the risks and deciding whether your existing precautions are adequate or if more   needs to be done.
  Fire fighting
  Means of escape
  Maintenance and testing of equipment
  Fire procedures, checks and training
  Good housekeeping

• Recording your findings and actions

Awareness & Understanding
Research by CACFOA [Chief & Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association] showed that in 2001, a significant number of employers did not understand their responsibilities [including criminal liability] for making and maintaining a Fire Risk Assessment under the amended Regulations.

The document 'Fire Precautions [Workplace] Regulations - Compliance Survey July 2001', published by CACFOA demonstrated the extent of employers' lack of awareness, commitment and implementation of Risk Assessment responsibilities.

CACFOA emphasises that if a risk based fire safety regime is to be effective, it must be understood and embraced by those it is designed to protect. Yet the overall level of awareness at that time was only 58.8%, or 71.5% in premises with fire certificates. Only 25.7% of those questioned were aware that guidance was available in "Fire Safety - An Employers' Guide".

CACFOA are located at Tamworth and can be contacted on Tel 01827 61516.