| If you are operating a small business, one of your | | | | most important is that the responsible person |
| biggest safety concerns is probably a fire. After | | | | must make sure everyone, including employees |
| all, one fire can completely devastate your | | | | and customers, can evacuate the building in case |
| business and can leave everything youve worked | | | | there is a fire. You must also develop a plan for |
| so hard for all your life in shambles. However, | | | | the event of an emergency. |
| there is often some confusion over who should | | | | In addition, you are also responsible for completing |
| be in charge of fire safety at most businesses. | | | | a fire risk assessment of your premises so that |
| Recently passed legislation, however, is taking the | | | | you can identify the threats of a fire, including |
| guess work out of the question. | | | | electrical problems, combustible materials, and |
| The New Laws for Businesses | | | | other potential risks that could lead to a fire. You |
| Depending on where you are located, you may | | | | will also need to keep a record of what youve |
| already have been affected by changes in the | | | | determined in the assessment and to review |
| legislation in your area. In 2006, for example, any | | | | those findings periodically so they can be updated |
| property considered non domestic had to make | | | | as necessary. |
| changes in how they decided who was responsible | | | | You will also need to take actions to reduce any |
| for fire safety in England and in Wales. The | | | | of the risks youve identified. For example, you |
| general idea was that anyone who some level of | | | | may need to install fire alarms or escape chutes |
| control over the property would hold that | | | | in order to meet the demands of the new law. |
| responsibility. | | | | Benefits of the New Fire Safety Laws. Although |
| In 2008, a similar law will go into effect in | | | | everyone who comes into your business is going |
| Northern Ireland. According to the law, a | | | | to share some common sense responsible for |
| responsible person is now being officially | | | | preventing fires such as not dropping a lit |
| designated by the law. As with the 2006 law in | | | | cigarette into a wastebasket, this law erases the |
| England, determining the identity of that person is | | | | confusion over who carries most of the |
| primarily going to involve determining who has | | | | responsibility for taking the necessary actions to |
| control over the property. | | | | protect the small business from this wholly |
| While the designated person may differ for | | | | preventable disaster. If you are the responsible |
| different small businesses, the person will usually | | | | person, the law clearly outlines the steps you |
| be the owner or manager of the business. | | | | need to take in order to properly safeguard your |
| Specific Responsibilities of the Designated Person | | | | small business and to protect both your |
| The laws for Northern Ireland and for England | | | | customers and your workers from harm. Plus, |
| vary slightly in terms of specific responsibilities but | | | | taking these actions now may save you from |
| there are some general guidelines that must be | | | | great financial loss later. |
| followed according to the new laws. One of the | | | | |