Introduction to Fire Safety Management

2.2.3 Arrangements 
section
Supporting both the statement of intent and the organ-
isation for safety is the arrangements section of the pol-
icy. This section details the guidelines and procedures for 
the implementation of the safety management system.
Dependent upon the nature of the activities of the 
organisation, the arrangements section can be either 
one, that is, included with both the statement and the 
organisation, section (as a complete document), or a 
framework section identifying where further guidance for 
implementation may be found.
Regardless of the mechanism that is used, i.e. 
integrated or framework, many core elements remain the 
same. The following bullet pointed list is indicative of the 
areas included in an arrangements section:
Some or all of the above arrangements in larger or 
more complex organisations may have their own individ-
ual policy, organisation and arrangements sections.
Regardless of whether each element of the arrange-
ments section is included within the overall health and 
safety policy or whether it is an independent policy 
and/or set of procedures, a critical issue is that those 
persons nominated in the organisation section of the 
policy are aware of the arrangements for which they 
have responsibility.
Fire safety policy
The fi re safety policy of an organisation should be struc-
tured along the same lines as the general health and 
safety policy, i.e. it should have a statement of commit-
ment, roles and responsibilities of persons charged with 
implementing the policy and detail arrangements.
The arrangements detailed below will invariably be 
included in any fi re arrangements section; however, in 
order to fully appreciate whether all areas are covered the 
completion of a fi re safety review or fi re risk assessment 
will help to identify any shortcomings in the arrangements 
➤
Access and egress 
➤
Housekeeping
➤
Accidents/incidents 
➤
Lone working
➤
Alcohol/drugs 
➤
Manual handling
➤
Asbestos
➤
Noise at work 
➤
Consultation with
➤
Personal protective 
employees 
equipment
➤
Control of contractors 
➤
Permit to work
➤
Display screen health
➤
Plant and machinery
and safety
➤
Offi ce equipment
➤
Electrical safety 
➤
Ladders and other access
➤
Employment of
devices
young persons 
➤
Risk assessment
➤
Environmental safety
➤
Security and staff safety
➤
Hazardous substances 
➤
Signage
(COSHH)
➤
Smoking
➤
Health surveillance
➤
Stress
➤
Fire and emergency 
➤
Temporary and casual staff
arrangements
➤
Training/information
➤
First aid
➤
Utilities and services
➤
Food hygiene
➤
Visitors
➤
Safety inspections
➤
Waste disposal
and safety tours
➤
Working at height
➤
Hours of work
➤
Working environment