To keep everyone safe in businesses and organisations, fire safety training is important. This should form a part of every new employee’s induction. Training is effective because in the event of a fire, employees know how to react and respond safely. This reduces the likelihood of damage or injuries if a fire breaks out in the workplace.
Is Fire Training Legally Required?
Employers of more than one person must provide fire safety training. This training must leave employees with adequate knowledge of what to do should a fire break out in the workplace. The Regulatory Reform Order 2005 has more information about this requirement, which states that employers who don’t provide training can be prosecuted.
What Does Fire Safety Training Include?
Formal fire safety training usually consists of a practical element as well as classroom learning. Most training providers will go through how to use all fire safety equipment. This includes operating alarms, fire extinguishers and fire blankets.
Different types of fire require different equipment to deal with. It’s important to know how to react in all scenarios. Otherwise, using the wrong equipment could make the fire worse. The information that is learned in this training will be very important. Knowing what to do is the best way to tackle a fire. Fire often brings out panic in people, but being prepared will help.
Do All Staff Need Fire Awareness Training?
Yes, all staff need to be trained. At the bare minimum, you should show your new employees where the fire exits are and any escape routes. They also need to know where the fire alarms are and how to operate them. If anything changes, such as a different escape route, all employees need to be informed immediately.
How Often Should Staff Have Fire Training?
Fire safety training should be given once per year for all staff. This ensures that everyone’s knowledge is up to date. If anything changes in your workplace that will affect your fire protocols, new training must be scheduled.
Can A Fire Extinguisher Be Used By Someone Who Is Not Trained?
Ideally, anyone who uses a fire extinguisher should be trained to use it. However, it’s not a legal requirement. Using a fire extinguisher without adequate training can be dangerous. This is because different types of fires require different extinguishers and techniques.
When using a fire extinguisher, the goal should only be to safely put out a small fire or clear enough space to create an evacuation route. Trying to put out large fires with a standard extinguisher can be dangerous, as they’re not equipped for this. Training will help people to understand what kinds of fires are safe to manage without additional help.
For Fire Safety Training, Choose City Fire Protection
To keep employees safe in any workplace, City Fire Protection offer comprehensive safety training courses. We can induct new members of staff as well as arrange annual training to keep everyone up to date. Our team will help you to meet the legal fire safety standards, and deliver high quality training that will keep your staff armed with valuable knowledge.
