CWU Issues Fire Safety Law Changes Guide

The CWU has issued a guide to all their branches detailing the fire safety law changes which came into effect 1st October.

Perhaps one of the most important Ltbs to be issued by the CWU's H&S department, the guide can explians some of the major changes that all USR's need to be aware of. Some of the detail follows:

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Act 2005 replaces most fire safety legislation with one simple order. In short, it means that any person who has some level of control in premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire.

The main change for businesses and employers is that they will take responsibility for carrying out a self assessment of the fire risks in their premises, appoint a competent person and make staff aware of what they have to do in the event of a fire. The fire service becomes the sole agency with responsibility for monitoring and enforcing the rules in most premises.

The FSO will introduce significant changes to the way Fire and Rescue Authorities enforce the law and all Employers, commercial property owners or tenants will need to be aware of the changes. At present commercial properties have a duty to be carrying out fire risk assessments. Many property owners don't, because they may already possess a fire certificate and therefore feel that this certificate is sufficient. With the introduction of the new regulations from October 2006 the fire certificates will be withdrawn, and the fire authorities will begin a process of checking that suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments are being carried out. If the employer already carries out fire risk assessments they will need to make sure the assessments are adequate and sufficient and the documentation is readily available for inspection when the fire officer pays a visit to inspect the premises. If it is, and if the fire officer regards it as adequate for the premises, then the obligations may have been fulfilled to the fire authority and the employees, however if not, there will be a small window of opportunity to put things right before enforcement action is taken.

The guide summarises the changes that are taking place and lets you know what employers have to do to comply.

Detailed Guidance to the Fire Safety Order is available on the Government website

Download in full LTB677/06 LTB686/06 (NI Scot Wales variations)

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