Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
role of supervisors to identify the effectiveness of the
system in controlling the hazards and risks relating to
the operation. Where there appears to be a shortcoming
in the arrangements this should be reported to the
senior management so that a review of the system can
be undertaken.
In many organisations formal systems exist to
undertake periodic reviews of safe systems of work
regardless of whether shortcomings have been identifi ed.
This ‘active’ or ‘proactive’ approach has some distinct
benefi ts such as:
➤ Re-enforcing the organisation’s safety culture
➤ Identifying where technological advances can be
introduced to the safe system of work, to reduce
the risk
➤ Assist the organisation to fulfi l its obligation to consult
with its workforce
➤ Prevent conditions worsening that could result in
injury, damage or loss.
Part of the monitoring and review programme should
also take into account emergency procedures, which
will not necessarily be tested on a regular basis, such
as a gearing mechanism breaking down on an industrial
machine or a tower crane operator suffering an ill-health
effect that prevents descent via the access ladder.
Emergency procedures and arrangements are discussed
later in this chapter.
Systems of work that are out of date, ineffective or
present an obstacle to production or service delivery
will be unlikely to be fully implemented. It is therefore
essential that an organisation ensures that it has a robust
system for monitoring, reviewing and revising its safe
systems of work.
6.6 Emergency procedures
To ensure that his legal duties of care are discharged,
an employer will need to consider events that represent
a serious and imminent danger which will trigger emergency
actions such as:
➤ Fire or explosion (see Chapter 10)
➤ Personal injury
➤ Acute ill health
➤ Serious process failure which may cause fi re
➤ Spillage or fl ood of a corrosive agent which may
make contact with skin
➤ Failure to contain biological or carcinogenic agents
➤ Process failure leading to a sudden release of
chemicals
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➤ A threatened signifi cant exposure over a hazardous
substance
➤ Environmental release (see Chapter 13).
When considering emergency procedures, regardless
of the type of emergency, a management system should
be established. The emergency planning arrangements
should include establishing a policy, preparing for an
emergency both in the provision of equipment and training,
etc. and making arrangements for those who will have
to deploy in the event of an emergency, such as those
dealing with spillages, fi ghting fi res or rendering fi rst aid.
Specifi c information relating to fi re emergency actions
is covered in Chapter 10.
Initial actions that are likely to be taken in the event
of an emergency will depend upon the type; however,
generally the following steps will be taken:
1. Make the scene safe
2. Render fi rst aid (where necessary)
3. Prevent conditions worsening (spill control, fi re, etc.)
4. Consider evacuation (where appropriate)
5. Contact emergency services
6. Report to management team (internal)
7. Report to enforcers (external where appropriate)
8. Initiate investigation procedures
9. When safe to do so restart of business operations
10. Report fi ndings of investigation.
6.6.1 First aid
In order to save life and minimise the result of any injury
it is important that persons suffering acute illness or are
injured at work receive attention straight away to stabilise
Figure 6.10 A typical fi rst aid at work sign