Workplace Safety: The Current Picture
The economic cost of fire within England and Wales in 2004 has been estimated as £7.03bn with the average cost within commercial premises estimated at £43,800 (The Economic cost of fire 2004 – DCLG). 75% of businesses that have a fire in their first year of trading are unable to recover from a significant fire.
Certain workplaces are covered by legislation that is undergoing change. This change means that businesses will be more responsible for reducing potential fire risks.
Currently workplaces can be covered by a number of pieces of legislation, 'The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (as amended) 1997 (WPR)' is currently the primary legislation and applies to places where people are employed to work with some exceptions. The WPR deals with fire safety issues through a process of risk assessment and recognises the dynamic nature of a building in use.
For many years 'The Fire Precautions Act 1971 (FPA)' was the principle controlling legislation for workplaces with a certification process for higher risk premises and provisions for all premises other than those used as a single private dwelling. Its primary function was to ensure that people could escape from premises in the event of fire, for many years it performed well, this is indicated by the low number of fire deaths in buildings falling under the FPA for more than 30 years.
Fire Safety legislation has been built up over the years in piece meal fashion often as a result of tragedies, consequently there are currently over one hundred differing pieces of legislation making reference to fire. With so much legislation often overlapping, Fire Safety Professionals can find it difficult to understand let alone Commercial and Business Managers that need to actually comply with the law.
On 1 October 2006, the 'Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005' will introduce significant changes. As well as simplifying current legislation, it will introduce the need for employers, building owners and occupiers to have a greater understanding of fire safety and nominate a "responsible person" to ensure compliance. Much of the existing fire safety law will be repealed including the 'Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997' and the 'Fire Precautions Act 1971'. The thrust behind this order is to simplify fire safety law for both the Fire Authorities as the primary enforcing authority and for the employers. Notable changes include the withdrawal of the requirement to have a Fire Certificate for the higher risk premises and the move to managing fire risk through a risk assessment regime.
The Government has published a 'Short Guide to Making Your Premises Safe from Fire' to assist organisations prepare for the introduction of the new legislation. Click here to view the guide (.PDF).
Overall control of Fire Safety within Bedfordshire and Luton lies with the Fire Authority where Fire Safety is devolved to Fire Safety Inspecting Officers based in either Bedford or Luton (Local Fire Service Contacts). They have the responsibility to enforce the legislation and will undertake audits of workplaces to ensure compliance.
Further information: Ways to Assist Compliance with the pending Fire Safety Order