This Business Safety Week, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) wants to make sure all businesses in the county are aware of important changes which start next month. Business Safety Week takes place from 11-17 September and is run by the National Fire Chief’s Council (NFCC). From 1 October, new government fire safety legislation comes into effect throughout England and Wales. It means all businesses will need to record a fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full, regardless of the number of employees and size or type of business. There are also more requirements for cooperation and coordination between ‘Responsible Persons’ in multi-occupied buildings or those where the occupier and the owner are not the same person. Business owners and those responsible for buildings affected by the changes can access a range of information online to help and advise them:
- A five-step checklist for fire safety risk assessments from the Government website Fire safety risk assessment: 5-step checklist – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- A Government guides on how to carry out a fire risk assessment, targeted at different types of business https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-safety-legislation-guidance-for-those-with-legal-duties
- Advice on NFRS’s web pages about fire safety risk assessments Fire safety risk assessment guidance for businesses – Norfolk County Council
Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “We know business owners have a large number of responsibilities, which is why we’d like to make sure they are ready and prepared for these changes in fire legislation. “Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service would like to support the county’s businesses in these changes, which have come in from Government and are designed to help keep everyone safe.” NFRS is also running a series of social media posts this week to help business owners with the new legislation. You can find them on Facebook, X and LinkedIn. Gavin Tomlinson, NFCC’s Protection and Business Safety Committee Chair, said: “Fire and rescue services are committed to helping all types of businesses reduce the risk of fire in the workplace and be compliant with fire safety law. “We don’t expect businesses to be experts that’s’ why we are here to provide help and advice. “We encourage any business to work with their fire service to help prevent fires to help them remain productive, safe and legal.”
