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Safety Net Journal Issue 4 |
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New fire safety regulations in force
On the 1st October 2006 long awaited legislation on fire prevention comes into force. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was introduced to simplify fire law for workplaces and other non-domestic premises.
The new law requires the controllers of premises to carry out fire risk assessments and ensure that suitable fire precautions are in place. They must make sure that everyone on the premises (including people with disabilities or special needs) can escape safely if there is a fire.
Most Usdaw members will work in premises that used to be covered by a Fire Certificate issued by the local Fire Authority. Fire Certificates will be scrapped under the new laws. Instead employers are responsible for carrying out their own risk assessments.
Introduction of the change in the law was delayed because it has taken some time for the responsible Government department to finalise the guidance aimed at employers. Originally this was the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, but responsibility was passed to the new Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Copies of the employers' guides for offices and shops and for factories and warehouses are available on the DCLG website - www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp
Usdaw Health and Safety Section is producing its own summary of the new duties and the employers' guidance which will be available shortly on www.usdaw.org.uk/healthandsafety.
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