Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
Figure 14.3 Risk assessment with names for actions and anticipated completion dates
and the provision of induction training (training records
indicate that pre-use testing is being carried out); this
was reinforced by talking to staff members.
Also the electrical equipment was covered under the
main health and safety policy arrangements section and
that a formalised system for ensuring that contractors
PAT test the equipment on an annual basis was in place.
Each of these issues is therefore recorded in the existing
control measures. Signifi cantly though the vacuum
cleaner had had an unauthorised connector to the cable
which increased not only the level of risk to the user but
may also result in overheating causing a fi re – this identifi
es that there may be inadequate control measures in
place.
From a fi re risk prospective the risk category with
the existing controls is likely to rate a medium/low risk;
however, from a health and safety prospective this
would rate high. In either case further action is needed
to control the risk.
The persons at risk from this hazard are likely to be
the user (from the electrical hazard) but as in the majority
of cases in relation to fi re, any person within the premises,
should a fi re start from the equipment, could be affected.
The control measures included in the action plan are
therefore likely to include, in the immediate phase, the
removal of the cleaner from use (Priority 1). Subsequently
a competent person would repair/replace the cable prior
to its being used again.
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It is also likely that a reminder to staff relating to
unauthorised alterations to electrical equipment would
be issued (this could be by way of e-mail, memo, etc.)
(Priority 2). It would be further recommended that
electrical appliance leads be included on visual fi re
safety inspections/tours of the building and records
of such inspection tours are kept (Priority 3). This last
element may also need the overall fi re safety policy
to be amended to include formal monthly inspection
programmes (Priority 3/4).
The fuel hazard identifi ed by the aerosol containers
and the overall lack of any formalised controls could
be a signifi cant risk if they are involved in a fi re, as they
will not only provide a signifi cant fuel source but could
precipitate explosions.
There are very limited control measures are
already in place, which include commonsense practice
by the engineers and that the aerosols appear to be
stored within an enclosed area and not left around the
workshops (the odd one or two only).
The risk category will depend upon the potential
ignition sources available; however, given the volumes of
aerosols coupled with the availability of other combustible
products it is likely that the risk, with existing
controls, will rate a medium/high or high and further
action will be required.
As in the case of the previous example all persons
may be placed at risk from this hazard. It should also be