Cambridgeshire Fire And Rescue Service Urges Businesses Not To Overlook Fire Safety At Workplace Post COVID-19

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging businesses that have reopened their doors, not to overlook fire safety and ensure it remains a top priority in the workplace.

The call comes as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council's (NFCC) Business Safety Week which runs from the 6th - 12th September. The campaign aims to make businesses aware of their fire safety responsibilities, so they comply with legislation to keep both premises and occupants safe from fire.

Reviewing fire safety

Many businesses had to close their doors or change their ways of working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But as they have now reopened business owners and Responsible Persons (RPs) must review Fire Risk Assessments to reflect any changes they have made in response to the pandemic in the workplace.

The campaign week of action is encouraging people not to delay reviewing fire safety

It's important that steps are taken to ensure staffs are suitably trained, fire equipment is checked and maintained and any COVID-19 secure measures do not compromise fire safety.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service can provide free help, advice, and guidance to help and to minimize the risk of fire in the workplace. The advice is available throughout the year, but the campaign week of action is encouraging people not to delay reviewing fire safety.

Reducing false alarms

The Fire Protection team will be sharing top tips during the week, as well as information about their free business fire safety seminars, which are now running virtually on Microsoft Teams. The sessions allow people to hear directly from the fire safety experts and ask questions to the team.

They are also asking for help from businesses in reducing false alarms in the workplace, which often have an impact on business productivity.

With around 44 percent of fire service call-outs in the UK being as a result of false alarms they increase pressure on fire service resources and time, both of which could be spent on dealing with genuine emergencies and community prevention and protection activities.

Business fire safety

They take just 2 hours and we encourage colleagues from businesses of all sizes to attend"

Speaking about business fire safety, Head of Fire Protection, Group Commander Simon Thompson commented: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for many of our local businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We know many organizations in the county have had to react and adapt to the ever-changing landscape due to the pandemic, so it’s really important that fire safety practices reflect the new ways of working.”

He adds, “It’s vital that fire risk assessments and practices are reviewed to make sure they are still meeting the legislation, and that premises are kept safe from fire. We have Fire Protection Officers available across the county on-hand to support business directly, and we also offer free business fire safety seminars which are open to everyone. We now offer them online. They take just 2 hours and we encourage colleagues from businesses of all sizes to attend.”

Local fire service

Mark Andrews, NFCC's Business Engagement Lead said: "Fire services are committed to helping businesses get back to work so they can continue to make their valued contribution to the economy and local communities.”

He adds, “It has been such a challenging time, but fire can have a devastating impact on a business with many never recovering. But fire services are able to provide help and guidance to reduce this fire risk and NFCC encourage them to get in touch with their local fire service for advice."