Each year, people die or are seriously injured as a result of fire in the workplace. Fire can cost businesses vast amounts of money, sometimes causing them to close permanently. It is vital for businesses to ensure that their premises meet fire safety regulations, while ensuring all employees and visitors know what action to take in the event of fire.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) requires the ‘responsible person’ (employer, occupier or owner) to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and ensure safe escape for both employees and visitors. The FSO requires the responsible person to:

• Ensure all employees are provided with adequate safety training at the time they are first employed and on being exposed to new and increased risks.
• Appoint one or more ‘competent persons’ to assist with fire safety in the workplace, and provide them with sufficient training to remain effective in reducing the risks from fire hazards.
• Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the fire risks in the workplace to which relevant persons are exposed, for the purpose of identifying general fire precautions.

These AOSH UK qualifications have been launched to help organisations meet their duties under current fire safety legislation, and protect both people and premises from fire.