Risk assessors go poking around testing building materials trying to ensure that they are effective compartmentation (fireproof) but without asbestos training are they taking a big risk or indeed breaking the law.

There is no real excuse when training and retraining can be provided for a one-off cost-effective fee by simply visiting this site Asbestos Awareness Training DVD.

With most other things in business you get a few quotes and often get the cheapest – this may not be the best approach with a fire alarm. There are may ways to make a fire alarm installation cheaper (use wrong cable, fasten with plastic lips instead of metal, don’t fit enough detectors and sounders etc. etc.) they all make the system not fit for purpose. And here’s the rub! … Who do you think is responsible? Them or you? Yeah you guessed it you!

This blog post explains it better than I can [Fire Alarms Leeds]

Ladder Safety

As a guide, if your task would require staying up a leaning ladder or stepladder for more than 30 minutes at a time, it is recommended that you consider alternative equipment.
You should only use ladders in situations where they can be used safely, eg where the
ladder will be level and stable, and where it is reasonably practicable to do so, the
ladder can be secured.

One of the most common failings of a typical Health and Safety audit for UK businesses is the lack of adequate training.

We need training for extinguishers, for fire wardens for staff using computers (DSE) and for safe lifting and manual handling.

The bills for conventional training can soon rack up. So what is the alternative? Video training offers an affordable and flexible option. However any training that contains no test-of-knowledge is unlikely to be accepted as ‘Training’ in the eyes of UK law.

That’s why training should include test questions, answers, pass certificates and training records.

There is obviously no substitute for hands-on, face-to-face training however in the current economic climate how does your average UK business deliver this training to all staff, to all new starters both on induction and regular refresher intervals?

Video training is a good alternative and a good example can be found here [Health and Safety Training DVD’s]

Discover that Bradford based gardener that says leaves should be composted not burned on grounds of fire safety – Click [HERE]

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to provide health and safety information and training.

Fire Safety training is just part of that e.g. fire extinguisher training, fire warden training etc.

Training can be delivered in many ways and the majority can be expensive.

A more affordable method is video or DVD training but with any training it is essential that it contains a ‘test of knowledge’.

A good example of heath and safety training for Uk businesses can be found by clicking this link: dse training dvd

You would think so, however it can be more complicated than perhaps you first think. Firstly, do you even need a fire alarm?  The official answer is that the results of your fire-risk-assessment will tell you (a mandatory requirement for  UK businesses with 5 employees or more) but the government guideline is that if you shout fire and everybody, everywhere in the building can hear you then you don’t need a fire alarm. That’s why probably 90% of UK businesses do need a system.

Having decided you need an alarm then what type do you need. It is wise to get a professional fire risk assessment carried out as it will help answer these questions. Be careful of assuming your local electrician can do it… maybe he can however the law just states that you should use a ‘competent’ contractor. How then do we prove competency? Good question. There are several other good questions too e.g. What category of system is required? What certification do I need,? Does it have to be serviced? Will my insurers approve? These are just a few of the myriad of considerations.

Rather than right a 3,000 word blog post I recommend you look at this site which deals with many of these subjects both in text and some great explanatory videos. Visit ‘Huddersfield Fire Alarms’ to find out more.

Having reviewed hundreds of evacuation plans it becomes clear that most people feel an evacuation is complete once you hit fresh air. However it is imperative that the plan involves people moving quickly to a safe assembly point.

Many previous disasters show us unfortunate evidence of people who had made it outside but because they were not directed to safety they were engulfed in flames as the fire reached flashover.

Ensuring staff with fire safety duties e.g. fire wardens have adequate training is essential as is general external maintenance. A fire can strike any time and cluttered external escape routes or even slippy un-cleaned paths could result in severe consequences.

So consider fire warden training and even driveway jet wash cleaning to ensure your outside escape routes are safe.

In larger businesses then several fire wardens / marshals are required.

It is not acceptable to assume that wardens will self-educate or already have the necessary skills to carry out their duty. Training is an absolute requirement.

How training is delivered however is a much more complex subject. Legislation requires training to be ‘adequate’ full stop.

Most people would agree that practical classroom-based training is the ideal. However due to the investment it rarely takes place. Many business owners recognise the requirement to train but all too often the capital investment required results in no training taking place.

The ‘Responsible Person’ in a business must ensure staff are adequately trained. Training with an integrated test of knowledge is the most cost effective solution.

Click here to see an example of a Fire Warden Training DVD.

Many employers are opting for either online or DVD / video training. So the question is fire marshal, extinguisher or Manual Handling training on DVD acceptable. The law seems to be unanimous in the clarification that training, no matter what format, must come with a test at the end.

How can you be sure that training delivered person-to-person or on DVD was understood without checking understanding and more so insisting on a minimum level of understanding.

So watching a practical demonstration or ten-minute video is of little use unless you can prove a degree of competency.

A good example of which is this Manual Handling Training DVD.