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Fires occurring can be a potential risk in the workplace; this is why it is important to implement fire safety measures to reduce the chance of this from happening.
According to IOSH, approximately 22,000 fires occur in the workplace across the UK each year, plus thousands more globally. This statistic highlights that there are still significant risks that many workplaces face
In this blog, we cover one of the preventive measures, the fire safety checklist, and explain how it can help enhance workplace safety.
Fire safety is important in the workplace; by not having safety measures, both you and others are at risk. A fire safety checklist provides a clear framework to highlight risks, so measures can be in place to prevent them.
The responsible person needs to be legally compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Although the fire safety checklist isn’t a mandatory document, it still supports a positive workplace safety culture.
Without this document, the risks to employees, visitors, and the property increase, which decreases assurance to those entering the building.
Now we’ve established the importance of a Fire Safety Checklist in the workplace, let’s take a look at what a Fire Safety Checklist is.
A Fire Safety Checklist is a list that reviews the safety measures and potential risks at the premises. This document acts as an internal operational or compliance tool and asks a series of questions that should be considered when reviewing fire safety protocols.
Usually, a workplace has a responsible person who is trained on fire safety. If your workplace has one of these, then they would be the ideal person to complete the safety checklist, as they already have knowledge or have completed fire safety training. If you are an owner of a residential building, then it is your responsibility as a landlord to complete a safety check.
You can complete this checklist annually as standard but more often in a high-risk environment or whenever there is a change to the layout of the building, new equipment, etc. Let’s take a look at what is in the Fire Safety Checklist below:
Employers and employees often overlook the importance of keeping escape routes clear—until an emergency occurs and a blocked or inaccessible fire exit puts everyone at risk. By ensuring escape routes are always free from obstructions, you protect not only your own safety but also that of your colleagues.
Additionally, escape routes should be clearly marked and signed. With clear markings, visitors and new employees can quickly locate fire exits in an emergency. Clear signage and unobstructed pathways are simple but critical steps in maintaining a safe workplace.
You can’t use every fire extinguisher on every type of fire; each one serves a specific purpose. Always select the right fire extinguisher to control the fire and minimise damage.
Not everyone is authorised to use a fire extinguisher, as incorrect use could put the user and others at risk. The responsible person should have completed Fire Warden Training, so they can carry out their responsibilities and respond effectively.
The responsible person should check fire extinguishers regularly to confirm they work and remain accessible in an emergency.
The government recommends that a competent person test your fire alarm every six months. In addition, your responsible person should carry out a quick test of the alarm weekly to ensure it is in working order. This weekly test is a simple check to confirm the alarm sounds correctly and remains fully operational.
If a test fails, it’s important to repair or replace the alarm as soon as possible and notify everyone in the workplace. Additionally, you should keep accurate records of all tests for compliance and future reference.
All employees must be aware of fire precautions in the workplace, not just fire wardens and responsible persons. A simple way to ensure everyone has the same knowledge is to have new starters complete a Fire Safety online course or a Safety induction.
Employees should feel confident in their responsibilities during a fire and know the location of the designated safety assembly point.
Appointing fire wardens are essential for preparing for potential fire emergencies and ensuring the safety of yourself and others. There should be at least one trained fire warden at each location. If the workplace has a large number of employees, there might be more Fire Wardens required.
When completing the fire safety checklist, you should ensure that fire wardens are assigned to every location, trained properly, and aware of how to respond in a fire emergency.
First of all, an evacuation plan should be in place, clearly outlining escape routes, assembly points, and procedures. Everyone in the business should have access to this plan, along with clients and other visitors entering the premises.
By regularly communicating and reviewing the plan, you ensure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency and can evacuate safely.
The designated smoking area at your workplace should be sited at least 1.5 metres away from any sheltering walls or other structures. It also reduces secondhand smoke exposure to those who are non-smokers.
The smoking area should not be located near any flammable materials such as fuel tanks, paper storage, or dry vegetation. It should also be clearly marked so everyone knows where it’s located.
Regularly inspecting electrical systems and appliances is essential for workplace safety. Carrying out PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) helps identify faulty equipment and reduces the risk of fires or injuries caused by unsafe appliances.
Check all wiring and plugs for frayed cables, exposed wires, or damaged plugs, and record your findings to ensure safety. Also, monitor plug sockets and avoid overloading to prevent overheating hazards.
Take a look at some frequently asked questions, where we provide clear answers to common fire safety checklist queries.
The quick workplace checklist includes several key measures to ensure fire safety. These measures involve checking for clear fire exits and escape routes, and ensuring fire doors are operational and not obstructed.
Also, verifying that fire extinguishers are in place and have been serviced and ensuring that fire alarms are working. Checking for any obvious electrical hazards and making sure that any flammable materials are stored safely are important as well.
This checklist allows you to quickly and efficiently assess the basic aspects of fire safety in the workplace.
A “take 5” checklist is a quick, five-step process used by employees to assess and manage risks before commencing a task. It typically involves stopping to assess the task, looking at what could go wrong, identifying necessary safety controls, managing the risks, and safely carrying out the task.
This concept encourages workers to take a few moments to focus on safety before starting work, and you can apply it effectively in various environments, including those where fire safety is a concern.
The FSRA, or Fire Safety Risk Assessment, involves five key steps:
In fire safety, PEEP stands for “Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. This is a tailored escape plan for those who may not be able to reach safety unaided or within a reasonable time frame in the event of a fire.
This includes people with disabilities, those with temporary injuries, or anyone who might require special assistance during an evacuation. The PEEP is an essential part of ensuring that all employees, regardless of their physical abilities, have a safe means of evacuation in a fire emergency.
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