Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

N/A at 22/10/2002 11:53

Cornwall County Fire Brigade is advising nearly four thousand commercial businesses in Cornwall how to stay fire safe in the workplace.

Fires at work have three main causes: they are started deliberately, they occur because people are not alert to fire hazards and because people are careless to fire hazards.

During proposed strike action by the Fire Brigade’s Union the Brigade has contingency plans in place. Part of the plan is to promote safety awareness to businesses so that all workers and managers adopt heightened fire safety awareness. This should help to stop fires before they start or lessen the effect of any fires that do start.

The messages will be promoted in a seven-page booklet mailed to the businesses. The booklet includes a number of checklists covering vital prevention topics, and has been produced in conjunction with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Fire Protection Association.

“The booklet contains vital information for health and safety officers on how they should keep their businesses fire safe by:
- cleaning away waste and rubbish,
- storing goods sensibly away from exits
- designating areas for smoking
- inspecting machines regularly,
- storing flammable liquids in non-combustible constructions
- storing LPG cylinders in fenced compound areas,
- maintaining heating and lighting,
- maintaining the security of your premises,
- having a system of checks every night,
- planning for an emergency,
- being aware of arsonists by being secure, warning staff, controlling access of visitors, maintaining firefighting equipment, and having end of day checks

said Fire Safety Officer Kevin Marshall
He cont: “It also informs you what to do in the event of a fire at your work and to ensure that fire drills are continued and repeated if necessary so that every employee knows how to leave the premises should a fire occur”

The 999 system will operate as normal during any period of strike action and businesses and members of the public are urged to dial 999 and ask for the fire brigade should a fire or other emergency occur.

If a business has not received this important leaflet they should contact (01872) 273177.