Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
risks before they cause injuries, ill health or other loss
outcomes. As has been discussed earlier in this chapter,
avoiding fi nancial losses attributed to safety failings is
one of the many factors of business success.
For example, in the event of fi re in the workplace,
following the response procedures contained within a
safety policy will mitigate the potential effects of the
emergency situation, e.g. shutting down a process safely,
preventing injury to persons or damage to the equipment
or machinery.
2.2 Key features of a safety policy
In order to satisfy the legal requirements of section 2(3)
of HSWA and guidance contained in HSE, DCLG and BS
5588 Part 12 (managing fi re safety), to ensure that the
safety policy is effective it must include the following:
➤ Policy statement – statement of intent
➤ Organisation
➤ Arrangements.
2.2.1 Statement of intent
The statement of intent can be seen as an organisation’s
‘mission statement’ for effectively managing safety. The
policy statement will set the direction that the organisation
will take; it will establish standards upon which
to measure performance. In addition the policy will set
objectives and targets on which to measure the success
of the management of safety and the system itself.
In HSG65 the HSE consider that written statements
of policy should, at the very least, set the direction of
the organisation by demonstrating senior management
commitment, placing safety in the context with other
business objectives and make a continuous improvement
in safety performance.
The statement is likely, therefore, to include naming
the director or senior manager with overall responsibility
for both the formulation and the implementation of the
policy and that the document is duly signed and dated
by the director or chief executive. The policy statement
briefl y explains the responsibility of all persons from
board level through to staff members, which also
recognises and encourages the involvement of all
employees and safety representatives.
Included in this statement will be an outline of the
basis for effective communications and how adequate
resources will be allocated. It will also commit the organisation’s
senior management and leaders to plan, review
and develop the policy. The need to ensure that all
staff are competent and where necessary that external
competent advice will be sought, should also assist the
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Figure 2.3 Health and safety policy document
organisation in developing a framework for managing
safety.
The policy statement will need to be made available
to a wide variety of groups that will include staff
members and their representatives, contractors and
other persons who may be affected by the organisation’s
activities or undertakings. It often forms part of vetting
procedures when considering whether to engage an
organisation in tendering processes.
A large proportion of organisations therefore ensure
that the policy statement of intent is displayed on safety
notice boards within the organisation. The policy can also
be included in team briefi ngs and toolbox talks, during
induction or refresher training courses. Some companies
issue individual copies of the policy in booklets and
include reference to it in newsletters and e-mails. The
policy is also discussed as an agenda item in a variety
of safety meetings including those of a safety, health and
welfare committee.
The policy itself can be enhanced by setting clearly
defi ned Specifi c, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and
Time oriented (SMART) safety objectives.
For an example of a policy statement please refer to
Appendix 2.1.
2.2.2 Organisation
This section of the policy is quite often confused with
the ‘organising for safety’ element of a safety management
system. This is due to a large number of similarities
between the two.