CLG Fire Risk Enforcement Notice Should Be a Warning to Businesses Everywhere

A recent enforcement notice issued under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to a high profile government department highlights the need for a thorough understanding of legal compliance in this area say Health and Safety specialist mhl support. Eland House - the London headquarters for the department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), the department under which fire safety policy falls, were issued with the notice on February 16 by an inspector of the enforcing authority. The findings from the Crown Premises Inspection Group found; “The concepts of ‘responsible’ and ‘competent’ persons, and the duties placed upon those persons under the Order, appear not to be understood within the CLG premises”. mhl support, is eager to see that the same thing doesn’t occur in the business world. There is a risk of a custodial sentence if there has been a fire and a fire risk assessment has been implemented by someone who is not considered a ‘competent and responsible’ person. “This really is quite absurd,” said Michael Slade, Managing Director of mhl support. “The fact that the government department that is responsible for fire safety policy has been issued a Regulatory Reform notice is astonishing. It appears to be a growing trend which started in January when a fire ripped through an appliance bay at the Fire Service College, based in Moreton in Marsh. It was later discovered that they hadn’t got a valid fire risk assessment in place.” “The case is rather unjust, because the CLG is covered by crown immunity, the supposed ‘responsible’ person cannot be prosecuted. But proprietors of businesses who don’t have the correct procedures in place can be. We cannot stress enough the importance of being compliant with fire safety policy.” mhl support has researched and discovered that clients can find understanding fire safety policy can be an absolute minefield. For example, the actual process of creating a fire risk assessment can be daunting and the definition of a ‘competent and responsible person’ is, at best, vague. The company is conscious of this problem, as Michael Slade explained: “If there is any business having problems with the new legislation and fire risk assessment, we’d advise that they get in touch with the local fire authority or contact mhl support for free of charge advice.” - ENDS -

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