There's an endless stream of information on how to complete your Fire Risk Assessment. You can even find helpful Fire Risk Assessment templates online to make the job easier!

But there's not so much about following up on the uncovered risks the assessment reveals. Doing the risk assessment is only half the job and what comes next is arguably more important.

So, we've put together a follow-up Fire Risk Assessment template which means you can easily identify the next steps to reducing the uncovered risks.

Remember, the risk assessment is a means to an end, not an end in itself!

The issues uncovered in your assessment should be acted upon ASAP! Ignoring or forgetting about the findings of an assessment is negligent and will land the Responsible Person in legal trouble if the worst should happen...

You could face unlimited fines or even a prison sentence!

Your follow-up Fire Risk Assessment template

Step 1 - Record

The first step in the follow-up process is ensuring all of the uncovered risks are recorded. By law, you have to record your Fire Risk Assessment if you have 5 or more employees. However, it's good practice to record your assessment even if you have fewer.

Why?

So you can make certain that you are aware of all the risks and the actions taken to reduce them. And you can prove it! Without a record of some sort, things can get forgotten...

For example: if your Fire Risk Assessment template required a Fire Alarm Zone Plan on each storey of the building, and your business did not have them, you would need to produce them and alert the staff ASAP.

If you didn't follow up on the risk and a fire started, you could end up with a tragic situation like that of Rosepark Care Home - where some of the 14 elderly residents who died in a blazing fire were unable to find their way out.

Step 2 - Plan

Once you have found and recorded the risks, you need to put a plan into action.

Paperwork alone is pointless. It's only when you follow up and start to take action that you are protecting the staff and visitors. Think about the short and long term measures you can enforce and put them into place.

You may be required to add, update or fix fire and security systems, including emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers or access control. This is a job for the professionals.

It is crucial to pick a competent supplier - don't cut corners by hiring your electrician friend or local handy man. We recommend choosing an industry accredited supplier so you can be certain that the fire and security systems are fully compliant with the law - and the engineers are insured.

Once you have actioned your risk-reducing plan, you'll need to update your records to show the steps you have taken and their result.

Step 3 - Tell your staff

Now you have an updated Fire Risk Assessment and need to provide that information to the following people:

• Staff (including those who work outside of your normal hours e.g. cleaners)
• Visitors
• Pupils/Students
• Parents of any employees under 18 years of age
• Contractors
• The employers of other people working in your premises, such as contractors

You will need to give staff, pupils, visitors and contractors relevant instructions.

Find out how you should provide this information here.

Step 4 - Training your staff

Unfortunately it's not as easy as just telling your staff... the Responsible Person MUST train them too.

It's not as daunting as it sounds... and most of it can be covered in staff meetings. Just make sure you also invite the after-hours staff like cleaners, caretakers or after-school activity leaders!

Your training should:

• take account of the findings of the Fire Risk Assessment
• explain your emergency procedures
• explain the duties and responsibilities of staff
• take place during normal working hours and be repeated periodically as required
• be easily understood by your staff and other people who may be present
• be tested by fire drills.

If you are the Responsible Person in a school, it's not an option to have 400 pupils in a fire safety meeting. Instead, they need to be taught about the new procedures by staff in regular fire safety training drills.

Step 5 - Schedule the next Fire Risk Assessment

There's no fixed period for reviewing your Fire Risk Assessment and follow up actions, although annual reviews are best practice. Of course, it is absolutely necessary whenever there are significant changes which could affect the fire risk. These include but are not limited to:

• changes to the building
• new staff
• new activities, job roles
• changes to the legislation

Regular assessments need to be scheduled. Use your favourite reminder system to buzz you for Fire Risk Assessment anniversaries and follow ups. It's better to be safe than sorry!

Responsible Person, we've got you covered!

Following up on your Fire Risk Assessment is a crucial part of your responsibility to maintain the safety in your workplace.

Sadly, there are other obligations that are often forgotten...

Not to worry, though! We've put together this simple and easy-to-understand guide that will make it easier for you to comply with the legislation.

Just click the image below to download your copy:

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