Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Safety representatives
need no specifi c 
qualifi cations for committee membership, but due 
consideration should be given to 
experience
. There 
is no guidance on the length of service of represent-
atives but a minimum term of two years is accept-
able with half the committee retiring every year. This 
has the effect of livening up the committee every 
year and allows the safety message to be spread 
among more participating members.
The number of representatives varies depending 
on the nature and activities of the business, as pre-
viously discussed. Special consideration should be 
given to minority groups within the company, such 
as apprentices, religious minorities or the disabled, 
if these have specifi c safety concerns.
3.6
The supply chain
3.6.1 General
The term supply chain refers to all those parties involved 
in the design, manufacturing, importation, erection and 
installation of any article or substance used either at 
work or by an end user of any articles and substances 
used at work.
The supply chain concept is useful when consider-
ing the dangers associated with any particular article or 
substance used at work in that it allows consideration 
of a number of sources of hazard and risk. For example, 
purchasing non-fl ame retardant curtains and furniture 
coverings for an area in which people are allowed to 
smoke, such as a work’s social club.
It is extremely useful to note that the supply chain 
involves those materials that are not only purchased 
but are hired, borrowed or donated and also include the 
procurement of services (contractors, etc.) and for this 
reason it is helpful to use the term procurement.
Among the problems associated with procur-
ing articles, substances and services for work are the 
provision and use of:
➤
Substandard 
equipment
➤
Poorly equipped, poorly trained contractors
➤
High risk chemicals and substances in inappropriate 
working environments
➤
Work equipment outside its design parameters 
(using it for what it is not designed to do)
➤
Inadequate information relating to:
➤
Hazards associated with chemicals and 
substances
➤
How contractors undertake their activities
➤
Safe means of maintaining and testing 
machinery.