A report released by the Fire Statistics Team for the Home Office makes for some sober reading.
Fire statistics from the UK Home Office
- There were 303 fire-related fatalities in England in 2015/2016
- Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) attended 528,700 incidents in England alone, of which 162,000 were fires
- There were 7,644 non-fatal casualties with 43% needing hospital treatment
The publication focused on trends in fires, fire-related fatalities, fire-related casualties, false alarms and non-fire incidents attended by fire and rescue services in England between 2015 and 2016.
Top tips to manage the risk of fire at work
- Be vigilant - know what fire safety measures and procedures are in place and attend any training which is arranged for you.
- Good housekeeping - follow good housekeeping practices (such as discarding waste promptly, keeping corridors clear, etc) to reduce the risk of fire.
- Pay attention at practice drills - it's not an excuse to skip work or take a break. Important information is provided which may save your life.
- Watch out for potential sources of ignition - such as chemical reactions, a discarded cigarette, faulty equipment, heat from processes (e.g. welding), etc.
- Report anything wrong with safety measures - e.g. missing extinguishers, blocked exits or faulty alarms.
- Warn others - if you spot a fire, sound the alarm to warn others to get out. Help visitors and anyone with special needs during an evacuation.
- Stay at the assembly point - in an evacuation, wait until the roll call. If you wander off, people in charge may think you're still inside the building.
- Make Health and Safety training compulsory - for all of your employees. Awareness of health and safety procedures can prevent injuries and save lives. Take adequate measures by ensuring all your staff complete e-learning training on how to work safely.
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