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September 2006
The vast majority (76 per cent) of businesses are unprepared for new fire regulations due to come into force at the beginning of October, says a recent survey by health and safety experts, Shieldyourself.
With just 5 per cent of those surveyed claming to be ready for the new regulations, employers must act now or risk a substantial fine or even imprisonment for non-compliance.
Mark Flanagan , managing director of the safety company, said: “Fire certificates will no longer be valid when the fire safety Regulatory Reform Order 2005 (RRO) comes into force on October 1. The average cost of a fire to business was £34,400 in 2004 and with that figure rising, a serious incident could be enough to close a business.
“Everyday thousands of people have their lives put at risk unnecessarily as a result of negligent employers who contravene basic health and safety regulations.
“For the sake of a simple assessment and a few procedures employers not only endanger the lives of employees and visitors to the premises, but also put the future of their business in jeopardy.
“The RRO will address this by placing full liability on a 'responsible person'; the main duty holder who has control of the premises, usually the employer, the occupier or the owner.
“The new rules require employers to take more responsibility and adopt a more proactive role to prevent fires and protect employees and customers.
“A full risk assessment must be carried out which must look in particular at the most vulnerable in the workplace, such as the young or disabled and then implement all required actions.
The assessment should reduce and remove fire risks, and hazards such as inadequate alarm system and fire-fighting equipment. It should ensure suitable escape routes are clearly marked and communicated to anyone on the premises.
“Only when all necessary precautions have been taken can employers document their progress as evidence of compliance.”
The RRO applies to most places where people are employed, but does not apply to domestic premises.
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