subject: Protect Your Workplace From Fire: Get Familiar With Regulatory Reform Order [print this page] Year after year, numerous people die or are seriously injured in workplace fires. And if the loss of life and injuries has not been bad enough, fires also cost businesses millions of pounds in damage along with compensation and insurance claims. It is for these reasons why businesses need to make sure they have correct fire precautions.
If you are responsible for commercial premises, either as an employer or on a self-employed basis, you will be also accountable for implementing fire risk assessments.
Fire risk assessments will distinguish any dangers on the job that may represent a fire risk. Heaters or cookers, for instance, could start a fire and any sources of oxygen, including medical products, could strengthen a fire.
Fire risk assessments also recognize the people within your premises who are particularly at risk, such as those who work with or near to fire hazards or those who operate in secluded areas such as store rooms.
The Regulatory Reform Order came into effect in October 2006 to take the place of the old fire laws. This new legislation emphasises the importance of preventing fires and reducing risk, hence the introduction of the fire risk assessment, which not only recognizes potential fire hazards and those at risk but in addition evaluates, removes and decreases the risks of fires commencing or spreading.
The regulatory reform order fire risk assessments comprise a five-step plan, and these should be executed exactly to guarantee the security of all those within the provided building.
Many businesses find it beneficial to hire a fire defence service to carry out their fire risk assessments. This gives them peace of mind as they know that the assessment has been carried out in keeping with the regulatory reform order guidelines and thus gives them the best possible chance of preventing a fire within their workplace.
