During these years, lots of additional safety measures have been installed in most workplaces. Whether this is in shops, warehouses, or offices, everyone is having to take extra precautions to stay safe from the virus.
Fire risk assessments are vital for every business’ safety and there are laws to ensure a safe working environment for all.
These laws and procedures are in place to keep staff safe and reduce the impact that a potential fire may have on a business’ stock, equipment, and the building itself.
Safety precautions post lockdown
With the easing of lockdown restrictions, many businesses will see a return of staff to business premises. Of course, this will come with various safety precautions regarding COVID, but a review of current fire safety procedures should also be reviewed.
Things to be consider when thinking about balancing Fire and Covid Safety:
- How many people are in the premise at once? How to know when everyone has exited the building?
- Is there still capacity to help those who are most vulnerable in the event of an emergency?
- Are there any lone working situations created by social distancing?
- If closed for an extended period, have fire safety equipment being checked before reoccupying the building?
- Does there need to be new procedures put in place around new COVID procedures?
Pandemic changing the entire way that we work
The pandemic has changed the entire way that we work but measures are put in place for everyone’s benefit. Therefore, it is vital that safety standards remain high in every workspace in every aspect. It is also a law to have an up-to-date fire risk assessment for a business premises.
Vulnerable People
Necessary changes may need to be made to separated workspaces post COVID
Vulnerable people may decide to continue to work at home and shield. However, they may wish to return to work with higher precautions than other workers.
Necessary changes may need to be made such as separated workspaces. These people need to be heavily considered when completing a fire safety risk assessment.
Building alterations
It is important to ensure that employers are understanding and critical when making building alterations and to find the right balance between COVID-security and Fire Safety.
Adding to this, the government has suggested opening windows and doors to help increase airflow to help avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Although this can be a very effective procedure for COVID, fire doors should never be propped open. Fire doors are in place to help contain fires and their smoke to create safe opportunities to escape the building safely, leaving the fire doors open compromise this.
Evacuation and social distancing
It is highly important for people to evacuate the building efficiently when a fire alarm is sounding as it may not be a test
Should an alarm sound, social distancing measures could likely be impacted when evacuating the building.
It is highly important for people to evacuate the building efficiently when a fire alarm is sounding as it may not be a test.
An idea for this may be having masks at the end of desks so staff can quickly put on a mask before evacuating or alternatively could mean that social distancing measures are compromised and hygiene products and masks are provided once arrived at the fire assembly point.
WFH Fire Safety Precautions
For employees working from home, it is just as important for them to be checking their home fire safety precautions to ensure they are in a safe working environment.
Here are a few tips that could be give to employees to help keep them safe in their current workspace:
- Ensure they have recently checked their smoke or heat detectors in the home
- Electrical items are safe and extension leads are plugged into one another
- Ensure their family has a fire safety procedure and know what to do in the case of a fire
