Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service will be offering businesses safety messages as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) UK Business Safety Week 2017. The week runs from 11th - 17th September and aims to make sure businesses and their staff have the information they need to prevent, protect and respond to fire incidents in the workplace.

John Foolkes, Business and Commercial Safety Manager said: “Businesses are encouraged to visit our website where they will find clear and simple advice about fire safety in the workplace and how to ensure their fire safety measures meet the requirements of fire safety law.

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“We will also be focusing on the threat of arson to small businesses and their recruitment of additional members of seasonal staff in the run up to the Christmas period. These new recruits may not have the same level of fire safety awareness as permanent members of staff, and may not be aware of what they need to do to protect themselves, their customers and colleagues.

“Finally, it’s also a good opportunity to remind employers of the need to review fire risk assessments, ensuring that staff are trained and are aware of the importance of fire safety.”

Fire services will be asking businesses to:

  • ensure they have taken action to prevent fires in the workplace;
  • take action to protect themselves from arson;
  • make sure all staff know how to respond appropriately in the event of an incident; and
  • work with their local fire service to reduce false alarms.

Fire and Rescue Services across the country will be holding a range of events and activities to engage with businesses in their communities, working with them to help improve their knowledge of fire safety.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire Safety Officers will be visiting businesses on a number of industrial estates around the county to give them advice, encourage them to train their temporary staff and raise awareness of the precautions they can take against arson.

NFCC Protection and Enforcement Lead, Mark Hardingham commented: "I’m delighted that the National Fire Chiefs Council is again working with small and medium size businesses to help them ensure that they are able to operate in a way that is safe from the terrible effects of fire. These businesses make a massive contribution to the UK economy and local communities and we want to help them to do this in a sustainable and safe way."

A copy of the leaflet “First steps to fire safety in your business” is available as a download from the Bedfordshire fire and Rescue website: http://bit.ly/1QaG9Xz

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