Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Closing the assessment out
Having recorded the recommendations and assigned
a priority rating, ideally the action plan should enable
a specifi c named person, or a key role, e.g. human
resources manager for training requirements, within an
organisation to be nominated to take responsibility for
implementing the recommendations contained within
the action plan.
As each individual recommendation is implemented
it is useful to close out the action by reviewing the risk
rating (ideally reducing it to low) and recording the result.
This enables the action plan to refl ect the ongoing status
of the implementation programme until ultimately each
element is closed out.
In addition if the organisation is conducting active
monitoring as part of its safety management system
the scoring or priority rating system of the risk assess-
ment and the ability of the organisation to close out the
recommendations in the appropriate timeframes, may
prove to be very valuable when measuring the success
of the overall fi re risk assessment and fi re safety
management programme.
should be implemented to reduce the risk to the lowest
level reasonably practicable.
Additional control measures (recommended
actions and prioritisation)
Having identifi ed any shortcomings in the preventive
and protective arrangements for the management of fi re,
the next element of the risk assessment record should
be completed; that of recording recommended actions
based upon a prioritised order. This prioritisation should
ensure that those hazards presenting the most signifi -
cant risk can be identifi ed and addressed quickly and
effectively, so that the risk can be reduced.
The recommended actions should not only identify
short-term fi xes, e.g. removal of obstructions from a fi re
escape route but also medium- to long-term issues that
may need to be addressed to prevent a recurrence.
The prioritisation of any recommendations contained
within the action plan will also need to refl ect, not only
the level of risk, but also the feasibility (practicality) of
implementing the prescribed workplace precautions and
risk control systems. Risk assessments that merely list
long-term recommendations, such as 'review . . . policy'
are unlikely to address the immediate requirements
for managing fi re risks, waiting for a formal policy or
procedure, for example a review and revision of contractor
selection and management due to poor management of
hot work operations, may well take some time to be
produced, approved and implemented.
When considering priority ratings it is useful to
determine a key which will give a numerical indication
of the recommended speed of action. While there are a
number of such recording mechanisms available a large
proportion will base themselves on similar ratings to
those indicated in Table 14.2.
14.3.3 Worked examples
The following are worked examples that have been
drawn from a series of risk assessments.
Worked example 1 - Sources of ignition
allowing fi re to start
An employer (responsible person) is operat-
ing in a small offi ce environment with a large
number of pieces of electrical offi ce type
equipment. The electrical equipment has
been sourced from a reputable supplier in line
with the company's procurement policy. Staff
undertake pre-user checks on an ad hoc
basis as per their induction training guidance.
Annual portable appliance testing is carried
out by a competent external contractor.
During the physical inspection process of
the fi re risk assessment it was noted that a
cable on a vacuum cleaner within an unlocked
cupboard had an unauthorised electrical joint
on its cable.
Table 14.2
Example of a table used to identify priority
and indicate timescales for action to be taken
Priority rating
Timescale of action required
1
Immediate action - within 24 hours
Usually dealt with during the risk
assessment
2
Short-term action required - within
1 week
3
Short- to medium-term action - within
1 month
4
Medium-term action - within 3 months
or agreed in a formalised plan within
6 months
Taking into account the information contained in
Worked example 1 the company appears to have a good
policy in terms of resourcing its electrical equipment
5
Review as part of annual business plan
