Employees

As an employee, you can help keep yourself safe from fire at work if you are aware of fire and health and safety regulations

Most workplaces are now covered by the fire regulations which means your employer has a responsibility to make sure you and others in the workplace are safe, should a fire break out.

But you also have a duty under Health and Safety Regulations for your own safety and that of your colleagues.

Duties

As an employee, you can help keep yourself safe from fire at work if you are aware of fire and health and safety regulations. Here are your duties as an employee.

When you're at work you should always:

• Co-operate with your employer so they can comply with statutory duties for health and safety.
• Tell your employer and/or health and safety manager urgently of any work situation that might present a serious and imminent danger. You should also notify any shortcomings in the health and safety arrangements, even when no immediate danger exists, so that remedial action can be taken if needed.
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work.
• Use all equipment correctly, in accordance with your training and the instructions you received to use it safely.

What you should know

As an employee, you can help keep yourself safe from fire at work if you are aware of fire and health and safety regulations. Follow these guidelines on fire safety at work.

When you're at work you need to:

• Understand and comply with the safety policies in your workplace.
• Know what action to take on discovering a fire or hearing the fire alarm and the arrangements for calling us.
• Know the evacuation procedures and assembly points.
• Familiarise yourself with escape routes and fire exit signs.
• Know the locations and types of fire extinguisher available and how to use them.
• Report any instances of increased risk.
• Keep fire doors closed to stop the spread of fire, heat and smoke.
• Report any thoughts you may have on reducing risk.
• Remind yourself, on a regular basis, of fire safety issues.
• Set a personal example of good fire safety.