Online self assessment

[stevew]

I have just found a new self assessment form on the Hants FRS web site.

It is an ill-conceived attempt to assist employers with risk assessment without:
a. confirming the competence of the person completing the form
b.confirming the accuracy of the information
c.visiting the premises

Is this approach ethical under the FPWk Regs and  the RRO?

In my opinion the fire authority should cget teir own house in order and oncentrate on re-training staff in the enforcement of the regulations.  I have on three occassions recently had to draw an inspecting officers attention to deficiencies and enforcement notices incorrecty issued to clients.

Parhaps the form is a means for collecting information for a database under the guise of helping an employer with their risk assessment.  

Where are they going with this?

[colin todd]

Bit of a jaundiced view. A number of FRSs do this I believe in order to help employers. So I guess the answer is yes it is ethical and in keeping with the role of the FRS (though we have also experienced problems with Hants I/Os not knowing what a suitable and sufficient FRA actually is).

[stevew]

Not convinced that it will assist all employers Colin.

Questions are based on the assumption that the employer is already fire safety literate.   Also a number of answer bands are too wide for any IO to picture the premises.

I understand that using this format that the 10m x 6m office building in my garden with 2 occupants would be considered a medium risk and that I should review my fire safety policy and procedures.  

The next stage is for me to contact a fire safety officer for advice.   Perhaps the very same officer that issued those deficiencies notices to my clients.

[???]

My,my,my

If all fire consultants are that good, why is your professional indemity insurance so high. Long live the market place, from an old commie.

[wee brian]

Ignoring MR who clearly understands insurance as much as he does fire safety, I think this is a good idea.

For most small businesses we just want them to think about fire safety for a while. The FRA doesnt need to be a work of Art.

People are getting far too ecited about the details of the FRA, its just a bunch of words, what is important is getting people to take some time to clear escape routes and do a bit of housekeeping etc.

What I/O s need to be doing is inspecting more buildings, not arguing over the style of a particular FRA. A shiny pas79 FRA wont save anybody but, sure as eggs is eggs, a pile of rubbish by the back door will doo for some poor sole.

[colin todd]

As always bri the voice of common sense!

[wee brian]

can I have that in writing?

[ben]

What I/O s need to be doing is inspecting more buildings, not arguing over the style of a particular FRA. A shiny pas79 FRA wont save anybody but, sure as eggs is eggs, a pile of rubbish by the back door will doo for some poor sole.

What IO`s should be doing is making sure people take responsibilty for thier workplace and educating them not going round saying move that rubbish close that door. They are compliance enforcers not deficiency locators.

[wee brian]

I agree but don't spend all your time looking at the paperwork.

This is exactly what has happened in the building trade. Everybody is obsessed with paperwork and building sites are every bit as dangerous as they always have been.

[Chris Houston]

My,my,my

If all fire consultants are that good, why is your professional indemity insurance so high. Long live the market place, from an old commie.

What does this message mean?

[colin todd]

Brian, I, Colin Todd, being of sound mind, do hereby declare that Brian M''''', also known as Wee Brian speaks the voice of common sense. There, how was that.

Christopher, It does not mean naything. Read Brian's note about the gentleman's understanding of insurance.

[wee brian]

I'll print it off and stick it on the wall.

[colin todd]

Next to your photo of Caroline Munro?