The key to effective fire prevention is due diligence with fire risk assessments. That means that there has to be a step-by-step evaluation of the workplace to assess how well the place is protected from the risk of fire outbreaks. It’s the kind of task that an employer takes on for the sake of their employees.
However, in most cases, a certified fire risk assessor is available to carry out this exercise and ensure the workplace fulfils the guidelines for preventing fire hazards. The question is, how is this assessment done? What exactly do fire risk assessors do that makes their job very crucial to workplace safety?
Read on to discover the different steps taken by fire risk assessors to help prevent workplace fires.
1. They Identify Fire Hazards
The first step is to inspect the workplace for fire hazards. These fire hazards are categorised as heat or fire sources and flammable objects. In essence, a fire risk assessor will check for items that can start a fire and those that will burn and spread the fire. Anything from open flame to electrical appliances to paper trash and equipment are fire hazards.
2. They Identify People at the Highest Risk
The next step is to assess the individuals in the workplace and their risk levels. Ordinarily, the workers will be at the highest risk, especially those who work with electrical appliances or any form of heat source. At the same time, folks who are new to the place and older adults will have problems if a fire breaks out.
It’s the job of fire risk assessors to identify these people and work towards helping them.
3. They Work to Eliminate Fire Hazards
Once all the fire hazards and people at risk have been identified, the next step is to eliminate those risks while teaching vulnerable workers the importance of fire safety. For instance, items that burn easily, like paper files, are kept separately from open flames to prevent fires.
4. They Create Plans for Fire Prevention and Train Workers
Next up, the folks at the workplace need schooling on the essence of fire prevention and training on the best response to fire accidents. The main goal here is the schooling aspect, as it is better to prevent the problem than to fix it. Workers and people around the area are educated on fire safety and preventive measures against workplace fires.
5. They Review the Results of the Fire Risk Assessment
Once the exercise has been completed, the results are documented and kept safely for careful and constant review. The essence of this review is to monitor changes in the workplace and how they affect the risk of fire accidents.
At the same time, it’s a crucial step for identifying overlooked aspects of the workplace. Through thorough assessment, fire risk assessors can determine if workers need to be trained again.
Bottom Line
The role of a fire risk assessor can’t be ignored when it comes to preventing workplace fires. For that reason, it’s crucial to work together with them to ensure your workplace meets the necessary criteria for fire prevention and safety.
Ultimately, you and your co-workers are the biggest gainers from the fire risk assessment exercise, so be sure to play your part in avoiding potential life and property hazards.
