Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Suitable and suffi cient
The assessment should identify the risks arising from or in 
connection with work and should be proportionate to these 
risks. Once the risks have been assessed, insignifi cant risks 
can usually be ignored as can the risks arising from routine 
activities of life in general.
The duty holder must take reasonable steps to help identify 
the risks, e.g. by looking at appropriate information sources 
including legislation, trade manuals, seeking competent 
advice and following industry best practice.
The assessment should be appropriate to the nature of the 
work and should identify the period of time for which it is 
likely to remain valid.
The assessment must take account of the particular 
risks to the health and safety of young persons and to 
new or expectant mothers or their babies.
The assessment must be reviewed if:
➤
There is reason to suspect that it is no longer 
valid or
➤
There has been a signifi cant change in the matters 
to which it relates.

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Summary of key legal requirements
383
➤
There is an identifi able disease or adverse health 
condition related to the work concerned
➤
Valid techniques are available to detect indications 
of the disease or condition
➤
There is a reasonable likelihood that the disease 
or condition may occur under the particular work 
circumstances
➤
Surveillance is likely to further protect the health and 
safety of the employees concerned.
15.24.5 Health and safety assistance – 
regulation 7
Every employer is required to appoint one or more com-
petent persons to assist them to comply with their legal 
obligations under both health and safety and fi re safety 
legislation.
The employer must also ensure that:
➤
The number of persons they appoint and
➤
The time available for them and
➤
The means at their disposal
are adequate.
In judging their competence, the employer must take 
into account the training and experience or knowledge 
and other qualities the appointee has to properly assist 
the employer to comply.
Note:
Industry best practice gives preference to the 
appointment of in-house competent persons as opposed 
to external consultants although they are commonly 
used to support appointees and for specialist advice.