In August of this year the BSI defined what constitutes a responsible person when completing a fire risk assessment with their new standard, BS 8674. This voluntary standard sets an expectation of knowledge and experience that you should hold to competently assess the risk to your team and customers whilst on your premises. The implementation of this new guideline is the perfect time to review your fire risk management system and ensure you’ve fully understood your responsibilities to your teams and those they support.
Your responsibility under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Under this order you are responsible for assigning a competent person (see the new BSI standard BS 8674) to assess, document, and mitigate the risk of harm to anyone accessing any business premises you maintain. Mitigation should include an emergency plan. This extends to offices, depots, storage, and any other facilities you might operate from. It does not extend to the private homes of those you deliver services too.
Your responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Under this act you are responsible to take reasonable measures to protect your workers from the risk of harm wherever they might operate. This does extend to the private homes of those you deliver services too. Make sure that you know exactly what situations and locations you are sending staff into, assess the risks and make sure your teams have robust processes to protect them should something go wrong.
Your responsibility under regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008
Under this act you are responsible to assess the risks to the health and safety of people being supported by homecare services and do all you reasonably can to mitigate any such risks. Once again, consider the risks. What activities do your staff undergo regularly in their homes that might put them at risk? If you consider that anything about your client’s behaviour or the setup of their home is a risk, do you communicate that to them and do you consult with the staff attending so that they are aware and can take due caution?
Should you be worried about legitimate risks in your clients home then you can, with their consent, refer them to Hertfordshire Fire Services for a Home Fire Safety Visit.
You can find out more and access our free resources here….