Introduction to Fire Safety Management
Introduction to Fire Safety Management
Introduction to Fire Safety Management
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<strong>Introduction</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Fire</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>Management</strong><br />
386<br />
<strong>to</strong> be worn or held by a person at work and<br />
which protects them against one or more risks<br />
<strong>to</strong> their health and safety, and any addition or<br />
accessory designed <strong>to</strong> meet that objective.<br />
The following items are not included in this defi nition:<br />
➤ Ordinary working clothing and uniform which do not<br />
specifi cally protect the health and safety of the user<br />
➤ An offensive weapon used as self-defence or as a<br />
deterrent weapon<br />
➤ Portable devices for detecting and signalling risks<br />
and nuisances<br />
➤ PPE used for protection while travelling on the road<br />
➤ Equipment used during the playing of competitive<br />
sports.<br />
Where existing regulations (covering lead, ionising radiations,<br />
asbes<strong>to</strong>s, hazardous substances, noise and head<br />
protection) apply, the PPE Regs do not apply with the<br />
exception of regulation 5 (compatibility) although the<br />
general principles covering selection and maintenance<br />
will still be of relevance.<br />
In summary, the PPE Regs require:<br />
➤ Employers <strong>to</strong> ensure that suitable PPE is provided<br />
<strong>to</strong> their employees who may be exposed <strong>to</strong> risks <strong>to</strong><br />
their health and safety except where the risks have<br />
been adequately controlled by other means which<br />
are equally or more effective (the same duty applies<br />
<strong>to</strong> the self-employed in relation <strong>to</strong> risks <strong>to</strong> their own<br />
health and safety). In selecting suitable PPE, it must:<br />
➤ Be appropriate for the risks involved, the conditions<br />
where it is used and the period for which it<br />
is worn<br />
➤ Take account of ergonomic requirements, the<br />
health of the user and the characteristics of the<br />
user workstation<br />
➤ Be capable of fi tting the wearer correctly<br />
➤ So far as is practicable, be effective at preventing<br />
or adequately controlling the risks involved<br />
without increasing the overall risk<br />
➤ Comply with UK legislation covering design and<br />
manufacture (CE marking)<br />
➤ Be for personal use only where necessary <strong>to</strong><br />
ensure it is hygienic<br />
➤ Where there is more than one risk <strong>to</strong> health and<br />
safety for which PPE is used, the employer (and<br />
self-employed person) must ensure that the PPE<br />
required is compatible and remains effective<br />
➤ Before selecting PPE, the employer (and selfemployed<br />
person) must ensure that an assessment<br />
is made <strong>to</strong> determine if the PPE they intend <strong>to</strong> provide<br />
is suitable. This assessment should follow on<br />
from the risk assessment carried out in accordance<br />
with the MHSW Regs and should include:<br />
➤ An assessment of the health and safety risks<br />
which have not been avoided by other means<br />
➤ The characteristics the PPE must have <strong>to</strong> be<br />
effective against both these risks and any created<br />
by the use of the PPE itself<br />
➤ A comparison of the characteristics of the PPE<br />
available with the above characteristics<br />
➤ An assessment of compatibility with other PPE<br />
in use<br />
➤ A review of the assessment if there is reason <strong>to</strong><br />
suspect it may no longer be valid or if there has<br />
been a signifi cant change<br />
➤ The employer (and self-employed person) must<br />
ensure that any PPE they provide is maintained<br />
(including replaced or cleaned as appropriate) in an<br />
effi cient working state, in effi cient working order and<br />
in good repair<br />
➤ Where PPE is provided, the employer (and selfemployed<br />
person) must ensure that appropriate<br />
accommodation is also provided for the PPE when<br />
it is not in use<br />
➤ The employer must provide their employees with<br />
such information, instruction and training as is adequate<br />
and appropriate (including demonstrations in<br />
wearing the PPE) <strong>to</strong> enable the employees <strong>to</strong> know:<br />
➤ The risks which the PPE will avoid or limit<br />
➤ The purpose for and manner in which the PPE<br />
should be used<br />
➤ Any action the employee needs <strong>to</strong> take <strong>to</strong><br />
ensure the PPE remains effi cient and effective<br />
➤ Employers must take reasonable steps <strong>to</strong> ensure<br />
that PPE they provide <strong>to</strong> their employees is properly<br />
used (the self-employed have the same duty in relation<br />
<strong>to</strong> PPE they provide for themselves)<br />
➤ Employees are required <strong>to</strong>:<br />
➤ Use any PPE they are provided with as per their<br />
training and instruction<br />
➤ Return it <strong>to</strong> the accommodation provided for it<br />
after use<br />
➤ Report any loss or obvious defect in the PPE <strong>to</strong><br />
their employer.<br />
15.26 Provision and Use of Work<br />
Equipment Regulations 1998<br />
(SI 2306)<br />
The aim of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment<br />
Regulations 1998 (PUWER) is <strong>to</strong> ensure that equipment<br />
provided for use at work can be used safely and without<br />
risks <strong>to</strong> health.<br />
PUWER also has specifi c requirements covering<br />
mobile work equipment and power presses. These are<br />
not covered in this summary.