Ensuring the building adheres to government guidelines relating to fire safety is of the utmost importance, but making sure the employees know what to do in the event of a fire on the premises is equally important too.
Fire safety training ensures that the employees know what to do in a fire emergency. And conducting it on a regular basis is not only incredibly important, but the law requires them to do it.
What information do employees need to know?
The workforce should know where to go and how to get there in the safest way possible
From exiting the building safely, to fire prevention, and complying with the correct policies, fire safety training covers all aspects with dealing with fire at the premises.
Now, for obvious reasons, it is hoped they never have to experience a fire – but providing the workforce with the knowledge on what to do keeps them, they and their business safe.
Fire safety training
Fire safety training should outline the plan in place in the event of a fire. This includes fire alarm sound awareness, emergency exit locations and where the assembly point is. The workforce should know where to go and how to get there the safest way possible.
It is also beneficial to demonstrate how fire doors and exit routes are opened, as well as the basic operation of fire extinguishers and knowing what to do if actually faced with a fire.
How often do employees need training?
As everyone probably knows, the building can change a lot in the course of a year, not to mention staff come and go too. So for this reason, it is necessary for fire safety to be refreshed on a regular basis. Most companies opt for a yearly review and refresh to ensure their employees are up to date with procedures.
There are however, some exceptions to the yearly review. If something changes that alters fire safety risks to the premises, it is also important to update the procedures and training too.
These can include, but are not limited to:
- New equipment – if they’ve purchased, installed, or changed the equipment they use, it is worth reviewing the fire safety procedures. The new equipment could come with a different set of fire safety parameters.
- External incidents – if an incident has occurred outside the organization, it could prompt them to review their own fire safety guidelines.
- Change of process – if the own internal processes change, e.g., the fire assembly point. Then it is worth having a look into the fire safety as it could change a magnitude of factors.
Final thoughts
The prevention of a fire in the workplace ultimately lies with everyone in the business. But it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure employees are fully trained and equipped with the knowledge to know both how to respond and exit safely in the event of a fire. So conducting training on a regular basis is imperative.
And if they’re interested in fire safety training for the organization, get in touch with the team at Fire Safety Group. They can conduct the fire safety training at the premises, meaning minimal disruption to them and their employees. All necessary equipment and materials are brought to them, and the fire safety training will be tailored specifically to the work environment.
