Health and Safety Policy
Agreed by Executive Team on 23.06.2008
Health and Safety Policy Statement
The EMSHA will, as far as reasonably practicable, ensure the following for all of its employees, visitors and contractors to its premises:
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provide and maintain plant and systems at work so that they are safe and without risks to health;
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make arrangements for ensuring the safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;
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provide health and safety information, instruction, training and supervision;
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maintain the place of work (where it is in EMSHA’s control) so that it, and access to and exit from it, are safe and without risks to health;
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provide and maintain a safe working environment and adequate welfare facilities;
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provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities;
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consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety;
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ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training;
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prevent accidents and causes of work-related ill health;
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review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.
Signed
(Chief Executive)
Date Review Date
Responsibilities
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The overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of the Chief Executive.
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Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to the Director of Workforce, HR and Corporate Affairs.
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To ensure health and safety standards are maintained/improved, the following people have responsibility in the following areas:
Chief Executive
Accountable for Health and Safety
Director of Workforce, HR and Corporate Affairs
Delegated responsibility for Health and Safety
Directors
Must ensure that this policy is implemented within their area of responsibility.
Head of Human Resources
Health and Safety Lead
HR Advisor
Health and Safety Coordinator
Clive Pallett Limited
Competent Advisor
Health and Safety Site Leads
Report incidents and queries to HR Advisor in the first instance or Head of Human Resources
All staff
Co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters;
Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety;
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
Report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person (as detailed in this policy)
Risks Arising From Work Activities
Hazards within an environment occupied by SHA staff could be:
- Slips, Trips and Falls
- Falls from a Height
- Manual Handling*
- Display Screen Equipment
- Electricity
- Work Equipment and Machinery
- Maintenance and Building Work
- Fire and Explosion
- Mental Health and Well-being
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Lone Working
* Manual Handling Training not required for SHA employees as lifting and handling carried out by external contractors and Health and Safety provisions are covered by Service Level Agreements.
Risk Assessments will be undertaken by Business Managers from each Directorate in conjunction with the Health and Safety Site Lead who has been trained in risk assessment.
The findings of the risk assessments will be reported by the relevant Director to the SHA Executive Team.
Action required to remove/control risks will be approved by the SHA Executive Team.
Each Director will be responsible for ensuring the action required is implemented within their area of responsibility.
The Health and Safety Committee will oversee that the implemented actions have removed/reduced the risks.
Assessments will be reviewed on a quarterly basis or when the work activity changes, whichever is soonest.
Consultation with Employees
Each Line Manager will have the responsibility of consulting with their staff with regard to Health and Safety matters during team meetings/briefings.
Union representatives are:
Mike Brown/Gary Freeman/Rosemarie Adams
UNISON
Unison Regional Centre
Vivian Avenue
Nottingham
NG5 1AF
Tel: 0115 847 5400
Cliff Edwards
Royal College of Nursing
Albion House
Canal Street
Nottingham
NG1 7EG
Tel: 0115 8507 650
www.rcn.org.uk
Ian McKivett
Managers in Partnership (MIP)
2 Caxton Street
London
SW1H 0QH
Tel: 0845 6011 144
Safe Use of Plant and Equipment
Building lease arrangements and contractors working on EMSHA’s property or premises will ensure the health and safety of all staff. This will include:
1. Responsibility for identifying all equipment/plant needing maintenance.
2. Responsibility for ensuring effective maintenance procedures are drawn up.
3. Responsibility for ensuring that all identified maintenance is implemented.
EMSHA staff will be responsible for carrying out the following checks on plant and equipment:
1. Any problems found with plant/equipment should be reported to the Buildings Manager/Buildings Liaison Officer/Senior Receptionist.
2. The Buildings Manager/Buildings Liaison Officer/Senior Receptionist will check that new plant and equipment meets health and safety standards before it is purchased.
3. Display Screen Equipment and work station assessments will be carried out when the work activity changes by Derwent Shared Services Occupational Health Department and/or Human Resources.
4. Ensuring that all faulty equipment is not used and labelled as such until a contractor is able to attend and rectify the fault.
5. The Buildings Manager/Buildings Liaison Officer/Senior Receptionist will arrange for PAT and fixed wire testing to be carried out as appropriate within Health and Safety guidelines.
Safe Handling and Use of Substances
It is unlikely that EMSHA employees will come into contact with any hazardous substances however all staff should be aware of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk, so the law requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (as amended).
Hazardous substances include:
substances used directly in work activities (eg adhesives, paints, cleaning agents);
naturally occurring substances (eg grain dust);
Using the controls
COSHH requires employees to make proper use of control measures and to report defects. It is the employers responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure that they do so.
Maintain controls
COSHH places specific duties on the employer to ensure that exposure controls are maintained. The objective being to ensure that every element of the control measure continues to perform as originally intended.
Information, Instruction and Supervision
1. The Health and Safety Law poster is displayed:
Octavia House Reception waiting area
Unit 7 Reception Foyer
Rutland House Reception
Kings Meadow Kitchen
2. Health and Safety advice is available from the HR Advisor.
3. Line Managers will be responsible for carrying out a risk assessment for young workers or trainees under the age of 18. If the young worker or trainee is under school leaving age, the Line Manager must also liaise with the relevant education authority regarding the work placement. The Line Manager will be responsible for the supervision of the young worker or trainee whilst on placement at an EMSHA site.
4. The Line Manager is responsible for ensuring that our employees working at locations under the control of other employers, are given relevant health and safety information.
5. The Health and Safety Policy will be issued to all employees when joining the SHA.
6. Visitors will receive instruction from the Reception Team or Meeting Organiser.
7. Contractors to EMSHA’s sites will be given a Health and Safety checklist when they arrive on site by the Reception Team.
Competency for Tasks and Training
1. As a minimum, on an employee’s first day, they will be given advice/instruction on Health, Safety and Fire. A more detailed induction training programme will be provided for all employees by the appropriate HR Advisor/Business/Line Manager at the earliest opportunity.
2. Job specific training will be identified through the appraisal process and provided as necessary.
3. Specific jobs requiring special training are:
4. Training records are held by the Human Resources Team within the Electronic Staff Record system.
5. Training will be identified, arranged and monitored by the Line Manager, Business Manager and Human Resources Team.
Public/Patient facing jobs will require conflict resolution training and personal protection training.
Fire Warden
First Aider
Manual Handling roles
Risk Assessors
Accidents, First Aid and Work-Related Ill Health
1. Occupational Health screening is required for all employees upon joining the East Midlands Strategic Health and a declaration form will be completed if an employee permanently moves post within the organisation.
2. Informal Occupational Health Surgeries are arranged by the Human Resources Team on a monthly basis. Employees wishing to use this service should book a slot with one the HR Advisors.
3. Occupational Health referrals can be carried out by employees and by Line Managers. In order to use this procedure, please contact a member of the Human Resources Team for support and guidance.
4. Occupational Health and absence records are held by the Human Resources Team within personnel files and on the Electronic Staff Record system.
5. The first aid box(es) are kept:
Octavia House in kitchens on all floors
Unit 7 in kitchens on all floors
Rutland House in ground floor kitchen
Kings Meadow kitchens
6. The appointed person(s)/first aider(s) are:
Octavia House
Ground Floor: Matt Williams (Appointed Person)
1st Floor: Val Harper (Appointed Person)
2nd Floor: Louise Perry (Full First Aider)
Unit 7
Ground Floor: Vicky Hughes (Full First Aider)
1st Floor: Sarah Norrish (Full First Aider)
Rutland House
Ground Floor: Julie Duke and Anita Cheng (Full First Aiders)
1st Floor: Kate Miller (Full First Aider)
Kings Meadow
Ground Floor: Clare Bliss (Full First Aider)
1st Floor: Debra Collington (Full First Aider)
Lakeside House Sarah Poole / Jo Edgar (Full First Aiders)
St Johns House Anne Coleman / Nina Webb (Full First Aiders)
7. All accidents and cases of work-related ill health are to be recorded in the accident book.
This book is kept:
Octavia House Main kitchen
Unit 7 Administration office
Rutland House Downstairs kitchen
Kings Meadow Corporate Office
8. The Health and Safety Committee is responsible for overseeing the reporting of accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority.
9. Please refer to the Incident Reporting Policy for further guidance.
Monitoring
1. To check our working conditions, and ensure our safe working practices are being followed the monitoring systems below are in place:
2. The Health and Safety Lead/Coordinator is responsible for investigating accidents.
3. The Human Resources Team is responsible for investigating work-related causes of sickness absences.
4. The Health and Safety Lead/Coordinator is responsible for acting on investigation findings to prevent a recurrence.
Directors are responsible for ensuring that quarterly Health and Safety Inspections are carried out within their own work areas and that they act upon recommendations from assessments.
HR will be responsible for advising on the availability of Health and Safety Training programmes for all staff.
Planned, supportive, ad-hoc checks may be carried out on chosen departments by members of the Health and Safety Committee
Emergency Procedures – Fire and Evacuation
1. The Health and Safety Lead is responsible for ensuring the fire risk assessment is undertaken and implemented at each site.
2. Escape routes are checked by the Fire Wardens every month and a report is completed.
3. Fire extinguishers are maintained and checked by the relevant contractor every year.
4. Alarms are tested and findings are record in the fire log by the Reception Teams/Estates every week.
5. Emergency evacuation will be tested twice yearly at each site.
6. The Appointed Person(s)/Fire Warden(s) are:
Octavia House
Ground Floor: Carole James / Matt Williams
1st Floor: Valerie Harper / Lorraine Sutton
2nd Floor: Jade Uberti / Jo Harlow
Fire Evacuation Coordinator Claire Fallon
Unit 7
Ground Floor: Zeinab Camara / Suzanne Monaghan
1st Floor: Sam Brown/ Sarah Norrish
Fire Evacuation Coordinator Caroline Scott
Rutland House
Ground Floor: Anita Cheng / Sarah Wheatley
1st Floor: Kate Miller / Rosemary Adams
Fire Evacuation Coordinator: Ann Kimbell
Kings Meadow
Ground Floor: Clare Bliss / Teresa Taylor
1st Floor: Anne Roberts
Fire Evacuation Coordinator: John Astle (University of Nottingham)
Lakeside House Sarah Poole
Fire Evacuation Coordinator Rita Norton (PCT)
St Johns House Wendy Walker (SHA) / Mike Simpson (NHS Networks)
Fire Evacuation Coordinator Wendy Walker (SHA) / Mike Simpson (NHS Network
Fire Prevention Policy
Aim
The Fire Safety Policy aims to both minimise the incidence of fire and arson within East Midlands Strategic Health Authority’s (EMSHA’s) premises and the impact of fire on operational activity, the environment and property.
Scope
The policy will be implemented throughout premises owned, occupied or managed by EMSHA.
EMSHA will follow the requirements as outlined in “Firecode”, Department for Communities and Local Government Guidance for Shops and Offices and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which outlines fire precaution guidance and summarises the statutory requirements affecting healthcare organisations such as emphasis on preventing fires and reducing risk and making it our responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone who uses our premises and in the immediate vicinity.
Policy Statement
Those responsible for fire safety within EMSHA are required to:
a) comply with prevailing statutory legislation
b) comply with mandatory requirements
c) implement fire safety precautions
d) comply with monitoring and reporting mechanisms
e) develop partnership initiatives with other agencies and bodies in the provision of fire safety.
EMSHA will as far as reasonably practicable ensure the safety from arson attack of visitors, staff and their property and all SHA Premises. The organisation will provide information and training relating to arson prevention, ensuring that all staff are aware of their responsibilities.
EMSHA will review this policy at least every two years taking into account incidents, organisational changes and national guidelines and legislation.
Specific Responsibilities
Chief Executive
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for Fire Safety measures in all EMSHA premises. They will exercise, through their deputies, a Strategic Health Authority wide coordinating role and will appoint a Nominated Officer (Fire) to be responsible and accountable for the implementation of the fire precautions.
Nominated Officer (Fire) - Director of Workforce and HR
The Strategic Health Authority Nominated Officer (Fire) will be directly responsible to the Chief Executive for the implementation of the Strategic Health Authority Fire Safety policy:
These duties include:
a) The effective day to day maintenance of Fire Safety policy matters
b) Ensure that all staff participate regularly in the fire safety training and fire drills
c) Arranging for such fire practice drills as may be necessary to ensure that staff are fully aware of the action they must take in the event of fire, and arrange and participate in major exercises.
d) Being responsible for the coordination and direction of staff actions at a serious fire in accordance with emergency plans.
e) Ensuring that on taking up their employment, all new staff are made fully aware of the fire procedure and actions to be taken in case of fire.
f) Ensuring that the report of all fire incidences and false alarms of fire are submitted to the appropriate personnel.
g) Ensuring that at least annually a report is presented to the Board informing them of the current state of fire safety in all premises for which the Board is responsible and that annually the certificate of firecode compliance is completed.
h) Appointing sufficient deputies to ensure that a responsible person is available to act on her behalf at all times whilst the premises are occupied for whatever reason.
i) Coordinating and reviewing all training of appropriate personnel and mandatory training for all staff.
j) Coordinating expert fire advice as required
k) Ensuring the undertaking of fire risk assessment on all EMSHA premises.
l) Ensuring the reporting of fire matters to the EMSHA Health Safety and Wellbeing Committee.
m) Ensuring that the Fire Safety Policy is in place and disseminated to all staff.
n) Seeking expert advice on issues relating to fire safety as appropriate.
Fire Evacuation Coordinator
For all EMSHA’s premises, an individual is to be nominated to the role of Fire Evacuation Coordinator. The Fire Evacuation Coordinator will lead on day to day fire safety matters and coordinate the rota for Fire Wardens to ensure that at least one is present on the premises at all times it is occupied during normal working hours.
In the event of an emergency, the Fire Evacuation Coordinator will take command of the incident until arrival of the Fire Brigade and then will act as a focus for liaison purposes.
Following an incident, it is the responsibility of the Fire Evacuation Coordinator to ensure that all fires and false alarms are reported to the Nominated Officer (Fire) as soon as possible following the incident via an incident form.
Fire Wardens
It is the role of the Fire Wardens to clear their designated area in the event of a fire or false alarm. Fire Wardens will be designated and trained for each area of all EMSHA’s premises.
The Fire Wardens will complete a quarterly risk assessment of their floor ensuring that they check fire fighting equipment, evacuation exits and emergency lighting within that area.
All Staff
All staff have duties and responsibilities in respect of fire safety and fire precautions. All staff must adhere to the fire evacuation procedures. It is a requirement that all staff undertake annual fire training. In addition, it is required that:
a) Individual members of staff have an obligation to observe fire precautions at all times and understand the procedure in event of fire to ensure the safety of colleagues and themselves.
b) Individual members of staff are responsible for reporting to their accountable manager any incident where proper fire precautions have not been observed or accidentally damaged.
Risk Assessment
It is recognised that there will be common elements of all premises in relation to the risk of fire or an arson attack. However, each premise also offers unique opportunity and risk due to sighting, structure and the general accessibility. Accordingly, a risk assessment will be undertaken for each premise each year.
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be completed for employees who have either mobility, visual or hearing impairment. The PEEP will be available to the fire wardens to alert them to the risks involved in the evacuation.
Control Measures
Staff Awareness and Vigilance
All employees have a responsibility in helping to prevent fire and arson. Owing to the nature of the Strategic Health Authority’s business it is not always possible to have fully controlled access to our healthcare premises increasing the vulnerability of our buildings to potential fires and arson attacks. It is therefore essential for staff to be vigilant in noticing and reporting potential hazards or unauthorised persons in any areas of SHA buildings.
Security of Premises
Staff must ensure that security arrangements introduced by the SHA are implemented.
Faults affecting the security of buildings should be reported via the appropriate channels immediately.
Where doors are routinely locked when rooms are not in use, the keys should be securely locked away.
Security of alarm and door codes is maintained within the building.
Material that could provide a source of fuel is not visible from outside the building.
Premises are thoroughly checked at night for unwanted visitors, the building is appropriately secured and all windows closed and locked and relevant alarms set
Control of Contractors
All Contractors are to sign in and be issued with a badge and informed of the SHA Fire Prevention Policy.
To improve security all premises have been fitted with CCTV systems as well as intruder alarms linked to a monitoring station. However, the SHA will undertake to review security arrangements in line with the Fire Prevention Policy during Fire Risk Assessments, taking appropriate measures where reasonable and practicable.
Good Housekeeping
Staff should ensure that rubbish does not accumulate in offices, corridors or other inappropriate areas. Waste bins should be emptied regularly and bin stores kept securely locked when not in use.
Combustible material should be stored in designated places only – not in plant rooms, corridors or lobbies. All employees should report instances where combustible materials are found in vulnerable places so that it can be removed to a safe place.
As EMSHA is committed to ensuring all of its employees have the right to breathe smokefree air, it has designated all of its premises as ‘non-smoking’.
Regular Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and fixed wire testing will be carried out at all EMSHA properties and premises.
Staff are encouraged to turn off all electrical equipment whilst not in use.
Fire Safety Training
Human Resources
Details on the Fire Safety Policy will be issued to employees informing them of the fire precautions arrangements.
Induction
All employees, on the day that they begin work, will receive the fire safety procedures relating to their place of work.
Mandatory
All staff are required to undertake annual fire awareness training. This will be delivered in the form of fire evacuation drills, in house training or e-learning via the Core Learning Unit programme.
Fire Awareness Training is linked to the Knowledge and Skills Framework. Staff who have not completed training will not progress through their KSF gateways.
Fire Evacuation Drills
Fire drills will be carried out as a minimum, on a twice annually basis. EMSHA’s Nominated Officer – (Fire) will complete a report of all evacuation drills.
Further details can be found within the Fire Procedure document at the back of this document.
Building Alterations
Any proposal to alter the use of buildings, refurbish, or to compartmentalise in any manner (i.e. install partitioning) must be done only after the approval of the Nominated Officer – (Fire) who will seek appropriate professional advice.
Appendix 1- Fire Safety Procedures, For Trained Fire Evacuation
Coordinators/Wardens
1. Role of the Fire Evacuation Coordinator
The Fire Evacuation Coordinator is an important position to hold in relation to Fire Safety. The duties of a Fire Evacuation Coordinator are divided into two separate parts:
Safe Condition
Liaise with the Nominated Officer (Fire) on all fire safety issues.
Be aware of the personnel in the building who are nominated as a Fire Warden.
Ensure the minimum number of Fire Wardens and Deputies for the building is maintained
Fire Condition
On hearing the Fire Alarm, the Fire Evacuation Coordinator should immediately evacuate from the building and proceed to the Assembly Point On route to the Assembly Area the Fire Evacuation Coordinator should call at the “Fire Box” which is situated adjacent to the Fire Panel and collect items required, i.e.Building Plan, High Visibility Vest, Visitors List etc.
They should also check the data on the fire panel to ascertain the position of the fire / fault.
Nominate a responsible person to meet the Fire Brigade, preferably someone who has sound knowledge of the site and process carried out.
Coordinate with Fire Wardens to ascertain the evacuation status as soon as possible.
If the building is confirmed clear of personnel, no action is taken other than to confirm this to the Fire Brigade when they arrive. If any person is unaccounted for, as much information should be gained as to the last known location of the missing person/s and the information passed to the Fire Brigade preferably on their arrival.
Any other actions will be directed by the Fire Brigade Officer in attendance.
Have a site engineer/electrician made available (if possible) who is familiar with the building services for use by the Fire Brigade Officer attending.
If any Fire Wardens do not appear at the pre-designated Assembly Point by the time the Fire Brigade arrive the Fire Evacuation Coordinator must convey the information to the Fire Brigade Officer attending.
If a Fire Warden does not appear from the area/zone from which the Fire Panel has indicated the alarm has actuated and the on site attendance of this Fire Warden is known, then the term ‘Person Reported : Area ?’ must be given to the Fire Brigade Officer attending.
Upon re-entry to the building, the Fire Evacuation Co-ordinator will be responsible for the coordination of ensuring that all staff sign back into the building.
2. Role of Fire Wardens
The duties of a Fire Warden are divided into three separate parts:
Safe Condition
Be vigilant as to the condition of the fire fighting equipment within your area, i.e:
a) has the equipment been tampered with
b) is there new equipment in the area
Be aware of any breaches in the fire precautions within your area, i.e:
a) fire doors wedged open
b) fire extinguishers missing
c) fire routes blocked/obstructed
Be aware of any personnel within your area who have any form of disability and require assistance to make a speedy evacuation, i.e.
a) deafness
b) partial sight
c) dyslexia
d) physical disability
Complete a Fire Warden’s quarterly report and pass on to the HR Advisor.
If any difficulties are encountered or queries arise, contact your HR Advisor for clarification.
Fire Evacuation/ Activation of the Fire Alarm
When the Fire Alarm is activated the Fire Warden’s responsibility is, subject to not putting their own safety at risk, to clear the area of staff, visitors and contractors.
The Fire Wardens should endeavour to keep calm at all times in an emergency and show authority in dealing with the situation.
When the Fire Alarm sounds, YOU are in charge of your area. Remember that fire and smoke have no regard for position or grade.
In a loud, clear voice, order staff, visitors and contractors within your immediate area to leave everything they are doing and, in an orderly manner, go to the nearest available Fire Exit and leave the building.
Check your area where it is safe to do so and make your own way out of the building.
Providing it is safe to do so, check any area you pass through, including toilets, meeting rooms, etc.
Close doors and windows where possible.
Inform the Fire Evacuation Coordinator who should be found at the pre-designated Assembly Point, as soon as possible that your area has been successfully evacuated or, if not, what the situation is and then proceed to the assembly point.
Fire Wardens may be used to help keep personnel away from the building in case of danger, i.e. breaking glass, etc.
Do not re-enter the building unless authorised to do so by your Fire Evacuation Coordinator via the Senior Fire Brigade Officer attending.
Fire Warden Searching Procedures
All EMSHA premises have been broken down into zoned areas of floors with Fire Wardens appointed accordingly (at least two for each zone).
The sweep search procedure should not be continued for any longer than two minutes before the Fire Warden evacuates to safety and ensures they report to their predesignated Assembly Point to the Fire Evacuation Coordinator.
If the fire is located within the building, the evacuation time may be reduced depending on the level of severity of the incident.
Should your visibility become impaired because of smoke and a sweep search cannot be completed, evacuate by the nearest available Fire Exit and report your findings to the Fire Evacuation Coordinator.
Upon re-entry to the building, the Fire Wardens will be responsible for the ensuring that all staff sign back into the building.
3. False Alarms
All alarms are to be treated as a full scale emergency until the hazard status has been confirmed by the person who has operated the alarm or by someone in authority who is aware of the situation.
When the Fire Service receive an alarm call from your site, it is normal practice for them to dispatch a pre-determined attendance of two or more appliances. If the Fire Alarms are activated and it is proved to be false, the Fire Service should be informed.
The Fire Service will still send at least one appliance to the site, so a responsible member of staff should be at the nearest entrance to direct the Fire Service to the scene of operations.
The following procedures are to be followed in the event of a false alarm :-
• The alarm signals will be left activated until the building(s) have been evacuated
• The Fire Evacuation Coordinator will inform the Fire Service that the alarm is false
• Upon arrival of the Fire Service, adhere to their instructions
• The alarm will be silenced when the hazard status is confirmed to be a false alarm.
The alarm panel should only be reset on authority of the Fire Brigade
• Buildings Managers – replace any broken glass on the Fire Door locking mechanisms or Fire Alarm Call Points
The above procedures will be coordinated by the Fire Evacuation Coordinator.
Appendix 2- Fire Safety Procedures
General Information
Fire evacuation notices are sited in all areas of all buildings which indicate the action to be taken on discovery of fire, hearing the fire alarm and the appropriate fire evacuation route and assembly points to report to outside the building.
The fire alarm will activate on operation of a break glass alarm call point, or on the detection of smoke or heat in an area protected by a heat/smoke detection system.
Upon discovering a fire, the member of staff will operate the fire alarm and will need to make a call to the emergency services. This call can be made by dialling 9-999 on any internal telephone.
Fire exits and extinguishers are clearly marked. Extinguishers must only be used if the fire is blocking your route of escape and you must have received training in how to use this equipment.
2. General Fire Procedures
2.1 If you discover a fire
Raise the alarm by breaking the glass in one of the break glass points situated near Fire Exits and at other designated locations
Evacuate the building via the nearest available Fire Exit. If possible, close windows and doors as you go
Go to your designated Assembly Point and await further instructions
Action on hearing the alarm
With the exception of the Fire Wardens, all other personnel within the building should stop whatever they are doing and leave the building, closing all doors behind them
Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
Do not use the lift.
Walk to the nearest available Fire Exit and leave the building.
Proceed to the Assembly Point:
Octavia House NHS sign to the side of Unit 7
Unit 7 NHS sign to the side of Unit 7
Rutland House Bicycle Stand to the side of Rutland House
Kings Meadow Ground Floor – Garden Area, 1st Floor – Staff Entrance
Ensure that drivers of any vehicles, visitors or contractors on site, are taken to an Assembly Point, having first checked that their vehicles could not cause an obstruction to emergency services
Do not attempt to re-enter the building until you have been authorised to do so by the Senior Fire Brigade Officer attending.
Upon re-entry to the building, please ensure you report to the Fire Wardens and sign back into the building.
Never assume it is a false alarm, or a fire drill.
3. Fire Fighting
• Fire extinguishers are provided adjacent to Fire Exits and at other strategic locations.
• Staff should only use fire extinguishers if they become trapped by fire during evacuation.
If you discover a fire outside the office i.e. car on fire in the car park
• Do not sound the alarm.
• Do not evacuate the building, move to a point in the building as far away from the source of the fire as possible. Remain away from the source of the fire until given the all clear from Fire Evacuation Coordinator.
IT IS IN YOUR OWN INTEREST:
To study these procedures, to know what to do in the event of a fire
To make yourself familiar with all means of escape in case of fire
To have annual Fire Awareness update Training
IF IN DOUBT – GET OUT!
