Risks are something we take every day and a lot of the time we take these risks without even thinking. Fire hazards and risks in the workplace are very important things to consider so it is wise to perform a risk assessment to ensure people are safe and can exit the building safely in the event of an emergency. We'll be looking at why a fire risk assessment in Sheffield is important to your business and workforce.
Fire Risk Assessment in Sheffield with John Green Health and Safety
We are very knowledgeable in the field of health and safety. Regarding all recommendations, documentation, implementation, and training related to health and safety, our company complies with the highest legal standards. Health and safety regulations are getting more stringent in recent years, making it even more crucial to make sure you and your personnel are protected.
What is a risk assessment?
Millions of people throughout the world suffer injuries while working or occupational illnesses every year. Risk assessment is crucial since it is the foundation of safe workplaces. A proactive approach to controlling workplace hazards can be used by businesses and organisations through the dynamic process of risk assessment. All types and sizes of business should conduct routine assessments for these reasons. Among other things, a proper risk assessment involves ensuring that all pertinent risks—not just the immediate or obvious ones—are taken into account, evaluating the effectiveness of the safety measures implemented, recording the results of the assessment, and periodically reviewing the assessment to keep it current. Risk assessments run in conjunction with the health and safety act at work or also known as "the management of health and safety at work regulations 1999".
What is considered a health and safety hazard?
The possibility that a person would be harmed or experience a negative health effect as a result of exposure to a hazard can be defined as a health and safety risk with regard to occupational health and safety. It can be something as simple as drinking a coffee next to your computer, this is a risk because you may spill the coffee and it damages your electrical equipment causing fire or electrocution. It can also be something major like blocking fire doors or obstructing emergency exits. If anything stops your personnel from safely and quickly exiting the building in an emergency, this is considered a risk.
Why are risk assessments important at Work?
Risk assessments are important because they are a critical component of a strategy for occupational health and safety. They aid in:
- Educating staff on risks and hazards
- Deciding who might be at risk (e.g., employees, cleaners, visitors, etc.)
- Find out if a control programme is necessary for a specific hazard
- Check to see if the current control measures are sufficient or if more needs to be done
- Prioritize risks and preventative measures
Example of a risk assessment:
The risk assessment process can cover a number of different things with one main goal in mind - protecting your business and your people from harm. A fire risk assessment is one example of a risk assessment that focuses on fire hazards and fire prevention. Another type of risk assessment is a health and safety at work risk assessment which covers overall dangers and hazards in the workplace such as using the correct equipment, ensuring you understand any hazards associated with your job, and how to deal with dangers effectively.
Potential Fire Risks and Hazards in the Workplace
Exposures that are specific to your particular sort of job could come with fire risks. For instance, the following dangers could occur in the metals industry:
- Combustible metal dust
- Pyrophoric substances (substances that ignite instantly upon exposure to oxygen).
- Metals that react with water
- Flammable and combustible liquids
- Dipping tanks for dangerous substances
- Heat treatment procedures
This is just one field, there are many other fields that come with fire hazards and risk assessments need to be carried out just as much as anywhere else. Generally speaking, be mindful of your surroundings, and turn equipment off when it is not being used. Use relevant protective gear such as goggles, gloves, overalls, etc. to reduce injury or harm to yourself and others. If working with dangerous and flammable materials, make sure you properly contain them for storage and transport. As mentioned before, ensure all fire exits are obstruction-free at all times and should never be locked. Installing fire alarms and sprinkler systems are good control measures and will aid in the event of a fire: to warn your staff that there is an emergency and to help deal with the fire.
Creating a Risk Assessment Template
Create your tool for risk assessment and management with a risk template. It entails a methodical test of a working environment and its surroundings to spot dangers, gauge the seriousness and likelihood of injuries, and put control mechanisms in place to lower dangers.
Use this simple risk assessment form to recognise, evaluate, and manage workplace dangers. Our beginner's guide to doing risk assessments explains how to utilise this template to carry out an efficient risk assessment and how to use a risk matrix. When evaluating risk and control measures, this template can be utilised at any time, but it is recommended to use it before starting new jobs. It contains:
- An explanation of the process, job, or workplace that is being evaluated
- Determine the potential hazards and record them.
- Determine the dangers connected to each action.
- Include images of the dangers.
- Create a risk rating and record the precise controls used to reduce the risk.