Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
implications of failing to identify risks generally, particularly
those related to fi re safety, can also have serious implications
on an organisation’s ability to fulfi l its contractual
obligations, maintain its position in the market, protect its
reputation and potentially, and secure its survival.
The risk assessment process will vary depending
upon an organisation’s activities. It may be that
the assessment will be a highly technical and complex
scientifi c analysis, such as in the case of COMAH site
activities (a site defi ned under the Control of Major
Accident Hazards Regulations 1999). At the other end
of the scale, the assessment may simply be a fairly
succinct analysis of the hazards, risks and control
measures relating to the work activities conducted in a
small offi ce environment.
5.2 Defi nitions relating to risk
assessment
The fi rst chapter of this book included basic defi nitions
relating to the management of safety. There is a wide
range and some diversity of terminology contained
within British and European standards and HSE and
industry guidance. The following defi nitions, drawn from
the standards and guidance, are used in this book.
5.2.1 Hazard
Something with the potential to cause harm. A source
or situation that could cause harm such as chemicals,
electricity, working at height, hot work processes and
in the case of an emergency an inability to respond and
escape to a place of safety.
5.2.2 Harm
Harm includes the effects relating to human injury and
ill health, damage to the environment or loss to an
organisation.
5.2.3 Risk
A combination of the likelihood (chance or probability)
of a specifi ed event occurring and should it do so, the
severity (or consequences) of the outcome.
5.2.4 Risk assessment
The process of identifying hazards and evaluating
the level of risk (including to whom and how many are
affected) arising from the hazards, taking into account
any existing risk control measures.
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It is critical to distinguish between the two
elements contained in risk so that a judgement
of risk magnitude can be identifi ed. For
example, if assessing the risks associated
with a contractor starting a fi re during hot
work processes it is necessary to differentiate
between the likelihood of a fi re being initiated
and the severity or consequences of the outcome.
As if hot works are being undertaken
outside in the open air the consequences of
a fi re occurring are potentially less disastrous
than if the hot work was being undertaken
inside a building, where smoke levels may
prevent people escaping.
5.2.5 Risk controls
Workplace precautions, for example a guard on a dangerous
part of machinery, sprinkler systems within a
building, safe systems of work (procedures), personal
protective equipment (PPE), safety signs.
Figure 5.2 Inspecting contractors arrangements for working
at height