Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
102
monotonous work and work at a predetermined work 
rate and to reducing their effect on health. In addition 
the overall prevention policy also includes working 
conditions and social relationships.
This additional ‘principle of prevention’ contained within 
the MHSW does not directly relate to fi re; however, it 
can be seen that individual human errors that result in 
a fi re in the workplace may well refl ect a monotonous 
work pattern and/or poor working relationships.
Adapting to technical progress
– where new 
technology exists there is a requirement to adapt the 
control measure to take any progress into account, such 
as fi tting intumescent strips to fi re doors to enable them 
to present a more effective fi re stop rather than relying 
on a larger door rebate.
Replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous 
or less dangerous
– for instance, replacing a low fl ash 
point chemical with either a non-fl ammable chemical or 
a chemical with a higher fl ash point (Chapter 7).
Developing a coherent overall prevention policy
which covers technology, organisation of work and the 
infl uence of factors relating to the working environment – 
the preparation of safety policy documentation includ-
ing organisational and arrangements sections and the 
development of a positive safety culture.
Giving collective protective measures priority 
over individual protective measures
– give priority to 
the measures that protect a number of employees rather 
than those of individual employees such as providing 
effective fi re compartmentation within a building which 
prevents rapid fi re spread. So that all occupants can 
safely escape in case of fi re should be given a higher 
priority than developing a personal emergency evacu 
-
ation plan (PEEP) for a disabled employee.