| In October of 2006, all rules for fire safety in the | | | | of action. Check to make sure all manuals are |
| workplace were changed. If you were an | | | | kept up to date. |
| employer or self employed within a business | | | | 7. Keep up to date with new employees regarding |
| building or a contractor in business premises or a | | | | the fire safety rules in the workplace and if there |
| charity you needed to have been brought up to | | | | is an expansion or a change in departments, make |
| date on the latest improvements to fire safety. | | | | sure everyone is appraised. |
| The new regulations are as follows: | | | | 8. Have regular staff meetings to keep everyone |
| 1. You have to carry out a fire risk assessment | | | | on their toes and ask them to bring their fire |
| which involves all possible dangers and risks. It | | | | safety in the workplace manual with them. |
| must cover everyone in your business from | | | | 9. Ask one or two staff members to do a walk |
| staff, customers, delivery persons to warehouse | | | | through of the office or building to make sure |
| personnel. | | | | everything is in order. They should be your regular |
| 2. Get rid of any risks or minimise the risks as | | | | representatives or fire marshals. |
| much as possible. For example, rid your workplace | | | | 10. Invite a fire brigade representative to go |
| of unneeded flammable materials such as petrol | | | | through the manual and all equipment, to make |
| cans, used paint cans. | | | | sure everything is in order. |
| 3. Provide fire safety equipment in all areas of | | | | You, as the employer, are ultimately responsible |
| your workplace and have all employees know | | | | for the safety of all of those who are involved in |
| where they are stored. Label all cabinets. | | | | the business. They are only as safe as you |
| 4. Provide protection if the flammable or explosive | | | | choose to make them. Challenge your staff |
| materials are needed. Have fire blankets and | | | | weekly to come up with new suggestions for |
| extinguishers readily available, clearly marked and | | | | workplace fire safety and you should have prizes |
| everyone knows how to use them. | | | | ready to hand out. Make copies for the manuals. |
| 5. Create a safety plan to deal with all sorts of | | | | Challenge your staff to do the same procedures |
| emergencies. The main thing is get out, get low | | | | at their own home and have their children make |
| and roll. | | | | up a booklet, just like the manual, with diagrams |
| 6. Keep a main manual with copies for all | | | | and drawings on how to keep safe at home. |
| employees regarding the equipment and the plans | | | | Award the families with the best booklets. |