Shropshire company bosses are being urged to attend an open day at their local fire station to get important information about their legal obligations for fire safety at business premises.
A series of two hour workshops are being held across the county in May by fire safety officers at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The events are being run free of charge at Tweedale Fire Station, Bridgnorth Road, Madeley, Telford tomorrow (May 4) at 11am; Oswestry Fire Station, Mount Road, on May 5 at 2.30pm and 6.30pm; Whitchurch Fire Station, Bridgewater Street, on May 6 at 11am; Telford Central Fire Station in Stafford Park on May 9 at 2.30pm and 6.30pm; and at Bridgnorth Fire Station in Innage Lane on May 11 at 10.30am.
“Our Business Fire Safety Team is committed to assisting companies to fulfill their legal and moral obligations in the workplace. Officers will be on hand at the workshops to give advice and information,” said Paul Smith, a Fire Safety Officer.
Current legislation was introduced by the Government five years ago to help safeguard all workplace premises from fire. Details on how companies must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) will be outlined at the seminars.
Senior managers will find out exactly what they need to do if a fire safety inspector visits and also hear about “common shortfalls” often experienced during an inspection, said Mr Smith.
Any questions on aspects of a company’s individual fire safety concerns will also be answered.
“This is all about protecting your staff in the event of a fire and ensuring you are able to continue running your business. Many firms never recover after a serious blaze,” he added.
The RRO requires that a “responsible person” in the company must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and act on its findings. The fire and rescue service carries out audits at business premises to ensure fire regulations are complied with.
Appropriate fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, evacuation plans mixed with regular fire drills and employee training were essential in all business premises.
