Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
➤ Before coming into operation for the fi rst time, areas
where hazardous explosive atmospheres may be
present are confi rmed as being safe (verifi ed) by a
person (or organisation) competent in the fi eld of
explosion protection. The person carrying out the
verifi cation must be competent to consider the particular
risks at the workplace and the adequacy of
control and other measures put in place.
15.17.8 Emergency arrangements – regulation 8
Employers are required to make arrangements for dealing
with accidents, incidents and emergencies.
The requirements of DSEAR build on existing requirements
under the Management Regulations. An employer
will need to supplement those existing arrangements if
it is assessed that an accident, incident or emergency
could arise, for example a fi re, or a signifi cant spillage,
because of the quantity of dangerous substances at the
workplace. In these circumstances an employer must
arrange:
➤ Suitable warning (including visual and audible
alarms) and communication systems
➤ Escape facilities, if required by the risk assessment
➤ Emergency procedures to be followed in the event
of an emergency
➤ Equipment and clothing for essential personnel
dealing with the incident and
➤ Practice drills.
The scale and nature of the emergency arrangements
should be proportionate to the level of risk.
Information on emergency procedures should be
made available to employees and emergency services
should be contacted to advise them that the information
is available (and provide the emergency services with
any information they consider necessary).
15.17.9 Information and training – regulation 9
Employers will also need to provide employees with precautionary
information, instruction and training where a
dangerous substance is present at the workplace.
Employers are required to provide employees (and
their representatives), and other people at the workplace
who may be at risk, with suitable information, instruction
and training on precautions and actions they need to
take to safeguard themselves and others, including:
➤ Name of the substances in use and risks they present
➤ Access to any relevant safety data sheet
➤ Details of legislation that applies to the hazardous
properties of those substances and
➤ The signifi cant fi ndings of the risk assessment.
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Employers need only provide information, instruction
and training to non-employees where it is required to
ensure their safety. Where it is provided, it should be in
proportion to the level and type of risk.
15.18 The Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 (SI 0635)
The purpose of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
(EAWR) is to require precautions to be taken against the
risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work
activities and are supported by guidance.
Defi nitions in EAWR
Term Meaning
Conductor A conductor or electrical energy
Danger Risk of injury
Electrical equipment Anything used, intended to be used
or installed for use to generate,
provide, transmit, transform, rectify,
convert, conduct, distribute,
control, store, measure or use
electrical energy
Injury Death or personal injury from
electric shock, electric burn,
electrical explosion or arcing or
from fi re or explosion initiated by
electrical energy where such death
or injury is associated with the ‘use’
of electrical energy
System Any electrical system in which all
the electrical equipment is or may
be electrically connected to a
common source of electrical energy
and includes such source and such
equipment
15.18.1 Duties – regulation 3
The key duty holders under EAWR are employers and
the self-employed, both of whom are required to comply
with the requirements for matters within their control.
Employees at work also have duties to:
➤ Cooperate with their employer to enable them to
comply with their requirements and
➤ Comply with the EAWR for matters under their control
(this duty is equivalent to the employer duty
above and refl ects the level of responsibility of
employees in electrical trades and professions).