Lighting fire risk assessment

While familiarisation with the area to be visited is important, an essential part of the risk assessment procedure, that is often overlooked, is familiarisation with the mode of transport to be used. If this is a self-drive minibus, prior to the journey, a check should be carried out on basic safety features such as tyres, lights, windscreen washers/wipers, brakes, availability of first aid kit and fire extinguisher, fluid levels, doors (operate freely and close securely) and warning instruments. Driver effectiveness and fatigue is also influenced by poor driving position and conditions so, before setting off the driver should adjust the seat, the mirrors and check that they can reach all the essential controls. 

In light of improved knowledge about the hazards posed by occupational lead exposure, the Department of Defense (DOD) asked the National Research Council to evaluate potential health risks related to recurrent lead exposure of firing-range personnel. Specifically, DOD asked the National Research Council to determine whether current exposure standards for lead on DOD firing ranges protect their workers adequately and to evaluate potential risk-assessment options. 

Organizations have been encouraged for many years to employ workers with disabilities and to ensure that their premises provide suitable access for such people. From a health and safety point of view, it is important that workers with a disability are covered by special risk assessments so that appropriate controls are in place to protect them. For example, employees with a hearing problem will need to be warned when the fire alarm sounds or a fork lift truck approaches. Special vibrating signals or flashing lights may be used. Similarly workers in wheelchairs will require a clear, wheelchair friendly, route to a fire exit and onwards to the assembly point. Safe systems of work and welfare facilities need to be suitable for any workers with disabilities. 

In addition to the provision of fire fighting equipment, detection and alarms, the responsible person must, in the light of the findings of the risk assessment, also ... 

It is also likely that the fire risk assessor/assess-ment team may also need to have access to a variety of documents produced as part of the requirements of the Building Regulations (Approved Documents B and M), and a variety of British Standards such as BS 5839 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems and BS 5266 Emergency Lighting. 

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