Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE1 FIRE !!

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE2 Why Assess the Risks? Moral & Ethical Reasons Caring for staff Economic Reasons Reducing costs by managing the risks Legislative Reasons General and specific duties

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE3 The Chemistry Of Fire Starve Smother Cool

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE4 Fire Hazard Sources FuelHeatOxygen Wood, paper, paints, thinners, plastics, rubber, gases etc. Elect. equipment, hot surfaces, heaters, boilers, lights, naked flames etc. Natural fresh air, oxygen cylinders, mechanical ventilation etc.

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE5 How Fire Spreads

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE6 Some Causes Of Fire Faulty electrical systems heat generated from poor connections Overloaded electrical sockets multiple appliances on same socket Smoking materials discarded onto fuel source Hot appliances / surfaces Clothes / papers over heaters Arson deliberate fires poor storage and control of combustible materials Hot works welding, soldering, grinding, cutting

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE7 Fire Safety Duties - The Responsible Persons  The owner / client  The contractor  The visitor  The passer by  YOU

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE8 General Duties General fire precautions to ensure the safety of employees and others Fire risk assessments suitable and sufficient Safety assistance competent persons to assist the employer Provide information and training emergency arrangements Employees’ duties take care and co-operate with employer notify dangers and shortcomings

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE9 5 Steps to Risk Assessment 1. Identify the Hazards 2. Decide who might be harmed 3. Evaluate the Risks 4. Record the significant findings 5. Audit & Review RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE H-High, M-Medium, L-Low, I-Insignificant

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE10 Identify the Hazard Identifying how fires might start. Look for: paper or textiles against heaters flammable liquids near flames and sparks etc light bulbs next to paper overloaded sockets damaged appliances smoking materials near combustible materials and substances

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE11 Decide - People At Risk Employees, visitors, contractors where do they work / visit? how many people? how will they be warned? Groups at particular risk children and elderly persons people with disabilities lone workers

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE12 Evaluate The Risks Fire Prevention Are we doing enough to stop a fire from starting? Have we kept fuel and ignition sources apart? Reducing fuel and ignition sources Good housekeeping Well maintained equipment

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE13 Record Your Findings Update the Fire Plan Introduce a Hot work Permit system Make notes in your diary Discuss issues at next meeting Learn from your experiences!

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE14 Audit & Review When no longer valid Following a significant change  workplace  equipment  processes  A fire! At regular intervals

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE15 Managing Hot Works Supervision Communication Inspection Hot Work Permit Toolbox Talks Extinguishers PROPER PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL. PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED!

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE16 Risk Assessment - Terms Hazard – something with the potential to cause harm Harm – Includes physical injury, and mental ill health Risk – likelihood of potential harm being realised Risk Assessment – examining what could cause harm to people and weighing up whether enough is being done to prevent harm

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE17 Hazards FireBurning / falling debris Slips, trips or falls from obstacles in escape route Slips, trips or falls from ‘panicked’ escape Crossing road to arrive at ultimate safety point Smoke Flying glass from windows blowing out Being trapped inside building Explosion from chemical storage

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE18 Harm DeathBurningLung damage resulting from smoke inhalation Possible brain damage resulting from oxygen deprivation Serious injury, e.g. crushing from ‘panicked’ exit Injuries resulting from obstacles in escape route Injuries from flying glass

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE19 Controls Site tidinessActions for in the event of fire / emergency Visitor management COSHH – Chemical storage Fire safety signs. H&S Induction Hot works & Management Supervison Activating the alarm Fire appliancesNotice board displaying fire management plan

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE20 Risk Rating - Calculations 1 Very unlikely to occur 2 Likely to occur 3 Very likely to occur 1 No InjuryL 1L2M3 2 Minor InjuryM2M4M6 3Serious InjuryM3H6H9 4 FatalityH4H8H12 Probability of Occurrence “The likelihood of the accident occurring” Consequence of Occurrence “The Severity of personal injury” The Risk rating = Severity x Likelihood Key Low Med High

Valerie Robinson 24/9/06 FIRE21 Flammable liquids Explosive materials Smokers materials Electrical equipment Arson Cutting and welding Waste materials Heating appliances Medium / High rating – Additional control measures required Fire Risk Assessment BE PRO-ACTIVE RATHER THAN RE-ACTIVE. RESULTS NO MORE FIRES NO PERSONAL INJURY NO LOSS OF LIFE