Fire Risk Assessment

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

 

 

 

 

 

A Fire Risk Assessment is a systematic and structured assessment of the fire risk in the building in question.  This is completed for the purpose of expressing the current level of fire risk, determining the adequacy of existing fire precautions and determining the need for, and nature of, any additional fire precautions.

Why should I have a Fire Risk Assessment?
The reasons for having a Fire Risk Assessment fall into three main categories as described below:

1. Legal – To meet your legal obligation under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
2. Moral – To reduce the risk of a fire so far as is reasonably practicable therefore providing protection to all concerned.
3. Business Protection – To ensure that you reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring and the impact this would have on your business/premises should this occur.

At RHSS Ltd we complete all our Fire Risk Assessments following a format as set out in a Publicly Available Specification (PAS79).  As part of our service we offer full support for 90 days following the assessment which can include liaison with fire officers, insurers etc, and we guarantee the highest level of advice.

To find out more about our Fire Risk Assessment Service and how we can help your business, contact us on 0333 577 0248 or 0208 667 2028, or email us at admin@rhssltd.co.uk.

HSE prosecution round up:

Principal contractor fined for safety failings

A London based construction company has been fined for safety failings after complaints from the public.

Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd were working at a site St John’s Way in Corringham, Essex in 2016 when concerned members of the public contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd are the principal contractors for the development of a public house and 24 flats.

Acting on the public concerns, HSE carried out three inspections of the site. On each visit the inspectors and visiting officers found numerous breaches of health and safety legislation, including dangerous electrical systems, unsafe work at height across the site, and no fire detection alarm. There was no fire-fighting equipment, despite workers sleeping on site.

As a result HSE issued four Prohibition Notices (PNs) and three Improvement Notices (INs) on the firm.

Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd of Neasden Goods Depot, Neasden, London, was fined a total of £52,000, and ordered to pay £4,415 in costs after pleading guilty to an offence under Regulation 13(1) of The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector David King said:

“This case highlights the importance of complying with enforcement action. Duty holders have the responsibility to provide their workers with appropriate training and equipment so they can work safely. In this case Malik Contractors failed to do so.

It is essential that those responsible for construction work understand they are also responsible for the health and safety of those on and around the construction site, and ensure suitable and sufficient arrangements are in place to plan.”

Source: www.hse.gov.uk

First Aid at Work

Have you reviewed or considered your ability to provide first aid at your workplace?  Do you have sufficient provision of first aiders for your organisation’s level of risk and number of employees?

 

RHSS can help you assess your first aid needs to make sure that you satisfy the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.  We can help you decide what you need to put into place to ensure that should an accident happen and someone is hurt at your workplace, help can be made available quickly and efficiently.

Once you have decided on the type of first aid you need, RHSS can offer training of first aiders either at your workplace, or a venue of your choice.  We offer Emergency First Aid at Work training, which is a one day course for smaller, low-risk organisations, or for larger organisations who want to make sure they have nominated first aid cover for holidays and absences.

There is also a three day First Aid at Work course which provides comprehensive training to give the first aider the skills required to give effective life support, diagnose and treat injuries or illness and maintain care and comfort for the casualty, with emphasis on dealing with life threatening situations to help ensure the casualty’s life is preserved until professional help arrives.  Successful candidates will achieve qualification for a period of three years.

If you would like more information about our training courses, have a look at our website www.rhssltd.co.uk, contact us on 0333 577 0248 or 0208 667 2028, or email us at admin@rhssltd.co.uk.

HSE prosecution round up:

Company fined after worker hurt while unloading heavy glazed doors

Munster Joinery (UK) Ltd has been fined after one of its workers was struck by a triple-glazed double door during unloading at a construction site.

Oxford Crown Court heard that in October 2013 the worker, Michael Jephcott, was part of a Munster team at a large house building site in Cholsey Meadow, Fairmile, Oxfordshire to deliver and install doors and windows. During unloading he was struck on the head by a set of double doors, knocking him unconscious and leaving him with whiplash and headaches. He required physiotherapy for some time afterwards.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there had been several previous injuries to Munster site workers, during unloading and handling of heavy glazing units. The company had previously been warned by both HSE and their own safety consultant that they needed to implement a safe system of work for transporting, unloading and handling their products. However, the company consistently failed to properly investigate these incidents, didn’t ensure loads were secured safely, hadn’t clearly identified or marked the different weights of the glazing units and hadn’t monitored the availability of necessary equipment at delivery sites.

Munster Joinery (UK) Ltd of Stratford Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,424.98.

His Honour Judge Peter Ross commented that “the culture of the business was at the root of the problem” and that “systemic management failings” were the cause of the breaches of the law and resulting injuries.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Dominic Goacher said:

“Our investigation found that workers at Munster were unable to follow a safe system of work. There is no excuse for this level of negligence when workers are required to handle heavy products regularly.

This case and the penalty awarded sends out a very strong message. The aim should be to move heavy objects mechanically wherever possible and to reduce the risk of injuries by other means where some manual handling is still required. Too many workers experience long term suffering because of unsafe manual handling.”