Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Emergency controls
These regulations require that work equipment is fi tted 
with suitable controls for starting, stopping and emer-
gency stopping, as well as any other controls that may 
be necessary.
Where appropriate, work equipment must be 
provided with a suitable means to isolate it from all its 
sources of energy. The method of isolation will depend 
on the type of energy being isolated and should:
➤
Be clearly identifi ed
➤
Be readily accessible
➤
Ensure complete and positive isolation
Figure 3.10
Isolation switch for gas-fi 
red kitchen 
equipment
Figure 3.11
Hazardous substances in the workplace

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Organising for safety
53
4. First aid information
5. Fire fi ghting information
6. Procedures for dealing with accidental spillage
7. Handling precautions and storage requirements
8. Controls necessary during use, and recommended 
personal protection
9. Physical properties and appearance
10. Stability of the substance or preparation, including 
shelf life
11. Toxicological data, if applicable
12. Known effects on the environment
13. Methods or precautions for the disposal of the 
chemical or by-products
14. Transport information for road and rail systems
15. Legislation which also applies to the substance or 
preparation
16. Other relevant information, e.g. supplier’s contact 
address or number.
It is the duty of the person supplying the substance or 
preparation to supply the relevant data sheet, no later 
than dispatch of the chemical. The data sheet should be 
dated and signifi cant changes in its contents should be 
brought to the attention of the customer up to one year 
from the date of supply.
Once the suppliers of harmful chemicals have classi-
fi ed and packaged them, all employers have duties to 
ensure that the hazards associated with all substances 
harmful to health are adequately controlled. The legisla-
tion requiring employers to control these hazards is the 
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 
2002 (COSHH) as amended.
Substances that represent a danger of fi re or 
explosion are described as ‘Dangerous’ substances. The 
storage, handling and transportation of dangerous 
substances in the workplace is controlled by the 
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere 
Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) (see Chapter 8).
Comprehensive details of the requirements of CHIP, 
COSHH and DSEAR appear in the summary of legal 
requirements at the back of the book. The following 
paragraphs summarise the key elements of both pieces 
of legislation.
In the case where chemicals present a specifi c 
fi re or explosion-related risk they must be assessed 
by those who intend to use them. The duty to assess 
the risk and explosion risks in respect of dangerous 
substances is placed upon the ‘responsible person’ as