Fire Risks Assessment In The Workplace

There is absolutely no zero hazard workplace, no matter how meticulous and organized you are in addressing the immediate and potential hazards in the workplace. To put it on a positive note, the presence of these potential hazards calls for continual improvement, not only on the techniques used by the company but also of upgrading the capacities of the workforce.

Legislation has become firmer and has obliged companies to conduct work hazards assessment and management practices. It is important to have the proper fire precautionary and prevention practices as well as an effective fire management plan in place. This obligation should be performed by an individual with the knowledge and practical skills to carry out his/her duties efficiently.

One of these workplace hazards is the possibility of fire or explosion in the workplace.
A fire risk assessment is important to ensure that there is a very small possibility of a fire occurring. Also, to minimize the dangers of a fire or explosion and the threat they pose to your company properties and more importantly, to your employees.

There are four general fire precautions which a fire assessment must include and these are:

1. Methods of detection and giving warning in case of fire or explosion
2. The terms of ways to escape
3. Methods of fighting, mitigating, and extinguishing the fire
4. Training the employees on fire safety

Although, fire assessment needs hands-on exercises, most of the work and training are done on paperwork. To conduct a fire assessment, there are general steps to take:

1. Identification of potential fire hazards in the workplace - involves the identification of the possible sources of ignition, sources of fuel, and the processes concerned in the start up of a fire

2. Identification of the most in-danger individuals in the eventuality of fire or explosion, and the set up of their fire escape route out of the workplace - employees and visitors and their locations should be ascertained and the possible escape routes are designed.

3. Evaluation of the potential fire risks, assessment of the existing fire safety policies and measures, and implementation of an improved fire safety procedures - determination of the adequacy of existing fire safety, the maintenance and checking of fire precautions, and training of the employees.

4. Documentation of the findings of the fire assessment - record the results of the assessment, the actions taken, and to impart these to the employees.

5. Keep fire assessment under review - hazard assessment calls for continual improvement and that means, you must change the provisions of your existing fire safety policies based on your findings.

Two of the main concerns in fire assessment is fire detection and warning, and means of escape. The workplace must have an effective means of detecting fire as well as warning the occupants of the building. The existing methods of detection must be effective enough to raise the alarm in time to give occupants enough time to escape to a safe place. The employees must be knowledgeable in operating the fire warning system as well as responding to it.

When a fire has been detected and the warning has been given, the occupants must be able to vacate the building to a safer place. Another detail you should take note of is to make sure that the occupants of the building are able to escape into a safe place without being cut off and exposed to injury. Again, it must be stressed that employees must be trained and familiar with means of escape.

Fire assessment in the workplace is important and the involvement of the employees in the process is as important. The dangers of a fire incident is not impossible, the possibility is always there, even after all the precautionary measures you have in place. Vigilance and proper training will take over if a fire does occur.

Jo is a writer for ‘Phoenix Safety Services Ltd’ (http://www.phoenixsafety.co.uk), an established consultant in bespoke Health and Safety Training throughout UK and Europe. If your company is looking for professionals who can give Health and Safety Training to your representatives or has a consultancy and Confined Space equipment rent, purchase and repairs requirement then check out Phoenix Safety Services Ltd.