4. Recording Your Findings

If you employ 5 or more employees, you must record the significant findings of your risk assessment and the measures you have taken to reduce risk and improve fire safety.

5. Reviewing And Revising The Risk Assessment

Fire risk assessment is a continuous process, and should be reviewed on a regular basis. Similarly, any changes to your premises, equipment, staff numbers, work practices, or the materials you use should prompt you to revise your fire risk assessment.

Other Fire Safety Requirements

• All items of portable electrical equipment should be inspected regularly and fitted with the correct fuses.
• All new upholstered furniture for non-domestic use must comply with the requirements of British Standards.
• Fire exits must always be unlocked when your premises are in use or be capable of being opened without the use of a key.
• Fire escape routes must be clearly signed with the ‘running man’ pictogram.
• Fire escape routes should be adequately lit with artificial lighting and emergency lighting if required.
• Staff should be trained in general fire safety, including the use of fire fighting equipment, and the location of fire exits and assembly points.
• Ensure your fire alarm system is in good working order and is tested on a weekly basis.
• Ensure that an adequate number of suitable fire extinguishers is available, and that they are serviced annually.

Getting More Information On Fire Safety

You can find more information on the new fire regulations by visiting the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government – www.communities.gov.uk

A number of guides is available that tell you what you have to do to comply with fire safety law, help you to carry out a fire risk assessment, and identify the general fire precautions you need to have in place. These can be found by visiting www.firesafetylaw.communities.gov.uk

Health And Safety Law

General Requirements

Under Health and Safety Law, businesses have a duty to protect their employees and customers. In general, you must:

• Make your premises safe and without risks to health.
• Ensure equipment is safe and safe work practices are set and followed.
• Ensure articles and substances are moved, stored and used safely.
• Give staff information, training and the supervision necessary for their health and safety.

Causes Of Accidents

Health and Safety Executive reports for 2004/5 show the following accident statistics:

Falling from height	24.1%
Struck by moving vehicle	15.9%
Struck by moving or falling object	20.9%

Slipping and tripping	35.7%
Handling, lifting, carrying	16.1%
Falling from height	12.4%
Struck by moving or falling object	12.8%

Handling, lifting, carrying	41.6%
Slipping and tripping	22.7%
Struck by moving or falling object	11.7%

*Note: an over-3-day injury is one which results in the injured person being away from work or unable to do their full range of normal duties for more than 3 days.

Assessing Risks

You must undertake a health and safety risk assessment following the 5-step process:

Other Obligations

You must also:

• Provide adequate first-aid facilities.
• Avoid hazardous manual handling operations; or where they cannot be avoided, reduce the risk of injury.
• Ensure safety signs are provided and maintained.
• Display the ‘Health and Safety Law Poster’ if you employ anyone.
• Alternatively, provide your employees with individual copies of the same information in a leaflet called Your Health and Safety – a guide for workers. (The poster and leaflet are available from the Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books.)
• Prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances.
• Take precautions against danger from flammable or explosive hazards.
• Make sure that the workplace satisfies health, safety and welfare requirments, eg noise, ventilation, temperature, lighting, sanitary and washing facilities.
• If you have 5 or more employees, you must draw up a health and safety policy statement, and bring it to the attention of your employees.

Your employees also have legal duties. These include:

• Taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others.
• Cooperating with you on health and safety issues.
• Correctly using work items provided by you, including any personal protective equipment, in accordance with training and instruction.
• Not interfering with, or misusing, anything provided for their health, safety and welfare.