Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
monotonous work and work at a predetermined work
rate and to reducing their effect on health. In addition
the overall prevention policy also includes working
conditions and social relationships.
This additional ‘principle of prevention’ contained within
the MHSW does not directly relate to fi re; however, it
can be seen that individual human errors that result in
a fi re in the workplace may well refl ect a monotonous
work pattern and/or poor working relationships.
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The principles of prevention are particularly
useful when considering controlling the risks
from fi re. For example, when a ‘responsible
person’ is developing a fi re risk control strategy,
they should attempt to completely eliminate
the risk of a fi re occurring. This may be
done by having effective security, and ensuring
that the workplace contains no electrical
equipment, dangerous substances or potential
arsonists. In most cases this will not be a
practical solution. Therefore the respon sible
person will need to evaluate the fi re risk, in
other words make an assessment of the
nature and magnitude of the risks from fi re
in the workplace. This will include assessing
the risk of a fi re breaking out and the resultant
risks to people, the building and the business
assets.
Once the nature and magnitude of the fi re
risk is known the responsible person must
consider applying the other principles of
prevention.
There follows some more examples of how the prin ciples
of prevention may be understood and applied:
Avoiding risks – if it is possible avoid a risk
altogether perhaps by undertaking the work a different
way, for instance using compression fi ttings when joining
pipe work together rather than using a naked fl ame
and LPG.
Evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided –
this is undertaken by completing a risk assessment or
series of risk assessments, for instance completing
a risk assessment for handling a reactive fl ammable
chemical and/or completing overall fi re risk assessment
for a premises.
Combating the risks at source – this means taking
steps to reduce the risks at source such as protecting
the external metal fi re escape staircase from the
vagaries of the weather rather than putting up warning
signage e.g. slippery when wet.
Adapting to technical progress – where new
technology exists there is a requirement to adapt the
control measure to take any progress into account, such
as fi tting intumescent strips to fi re doors to enable them
to present a more effective fi re stop rather than relying
on a larger door rebate.
Replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous
or less dangerous – for instance, replacing a low fl ash
point chemical with either a non-fl ammable chemical or
a chemical with a higher fl ash point (Chapter 7).
Developing a coherent overall prevention policy
which covers technology, organisation of work and the
infl uence of factors relating to the working environment –
the preparation of safety policy documentation including
organisational and arrangements sections and the
development of a positive safety culture.
Giving collective protective measures priority
over individual protective measures – give priority to
the measures that protect a number of employees rather
than those of individual employees such as providing
effective fi re compartmentation within a building which
prevents rapid fi re spread. So that all occupants can
safely escape in case of fi re should be given a higher
priority than developing a personal emergency evacu -
ation plan (PEEP) for a disabled employee.
Giving appropriate instructions to employees –
ensure that all relevant persons (employees, selfemployed
persons, other employers) understand their
responsibilities and what they should do, for instance
emergency procedures or when undertaking potentially
hazardous hot work processes.
Figure 6.1 Practical fi re evacuation exercises are an
essential way of providing information.