An Important Strategy in Saving Lives and Protecting your Business
In Barbados, during the month of May 2023, we have experienced a number of residential house fires, some of them not only resulting in complete destruction of properties but also in lives lost. The Chief Fire Officer of the Barbados Fire Service, Errol Maynard, has expressed significant concerns regarding some common practices of householders and businesses, and the Leading Fire Officer and Research Officer, Natasha Forde, has further reiterated the need for citizens to take fire safety seriously.
The estimated number of house fires for 2023, is reported to have already surpassed those for the last five years, for the corresponding period – January to May. Historically, while the frequency of fires at commercial enterprises has always been less than in residential properties, we should never take for granted the likelihood of such an occurrence, nor the severity of the potential impact. Consequently, a workplace fire can reasonably be described as one of the most serious and deadly of risks, with the potential to not only result in death or severe injuries, but also have a serious financial impact upon a business and its trading operations. Many companies can be so badly affected by a fire that they struggle to even recover, suffer reputational loss, and in worst case scenarios, permanently close.
As business owners and leaders, we have responsibilities under the Safety and Health at Work Act, 2005 (SHaW Act). Specifically, the General Duties for Employers – PART II Section 6, as well as Section 39, which addresses Fire Safety, to assess the risks in our companies and to implement various control measures to mitigate the risk of fire and safeguard lives, including employee training. Along with training, a key component of a company’s fire safety and prevention responsibilities is the completion of a risk assessment. This activity is not only important for legislative compliance, but more so, it is critical in reducing the probability or likelihood of a fire.
A fire risk assessment should identify issues such as where and how a fire may start on your premises, including sources of ignition and fuel, who might be at risk and why (e.g. danger of being trapped or working in a particularly flammable environment), and the steps required to remove or reduce the risk of fire. In considering these improvements, we must also assess danger to the health and safety of workers and those nearby, as well as being potentially hazardous to the environment, in terms of toxic gases produced from burning material being released into the air or being washed into nearby communities or water sources by the water used to extinguish a fire. The risk assessment then, must also take into consideration the risks from the outbreak of fire on those people who are not employed by the company but may still be in danger such as nearby members of the public or visitors to the business. The fire risk assessment is therefore an extremely important document which should be performed by a competent person.
Fire Risk Assessment is a five step-step process that involves:
- Identifying the fire hazards.
- Identifying the people at risk from fire.
- Evaluating the risk from fire; removing or reducing the risks and protecting from those risks.
- Recording the findings; planning new controls; instructing and training those at risk.
- Periodically reviewing the assessment.
Some of the activities to consider while engaging in a fire risk assessment include reviews of:
- Fire detection and warning systems.
- Emergency routes and exits.
- Firefighting equipment.
- Training of employees.
- The removal or safe storage of hazardous substances.
- Electrical installations – Periodic reviews by certified installer.
- Emergency evacuation plans – including emergency response teams.
- Special provisions for vulnerable persons
- Information and signage provided to guide employees and visitors.
It is essential that reviews are conducted periodically, especially if there have been changes to your facilities, modifications to work processes, or an incident has occurred. In the event that a fire incident, regardless of the size and outcome has taken place, this should trigger a review of the existing assessment and the completion of a new one. The incident may have highlighted errors or gaps in the previous assessment and the new one allows for an opportunity, to close those gaps and reduce the probability of recurrence.
What is imperative for us all to appreciate is that the principles and activities outlined above, can be similarly applied in our personal lives regarding our homes. Generally, it has been found that most individuals possess some knowledge about fire safety and prevention. However, the necessary steps or actions required, are seldom taken to make their home environments safer.
Some considerations in this respect, apart from what has already been mentioned may include:
- Assessing the volume of combustible materials and flammable substances being stored around your property, as well as how, and where they are stored.
- Ensuring that chemicals are stored, as per manufacturing guidelines.
- Ensuring that electrical circuits aren’t being overloaded and that electronic devices aren’t left plugged in unnecessarily.
- Installation and maintenance of fire warning devices and fire extinguishers.
- Maintaining good housekeeping practices.
A comprehensive fire risk assessment that is reviewed regularly can save lives.