Local businesses can access free help and advice on fire safety.
This Business Safety Week (5-11 September) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is reminding businesses of all kinds and sizes of the support on offer.
Failing to get fire safety right can put both employees and customers at risk. A fire can also cause havoc and cost businesses in countless other ways – from structural damage to buildings and loss of expensive equipment, to depleting morale and increasing staff absence. Businesses found to be in breach of fire safety rules could also face hefty fines.
Group Manager for Protection at HIWFRS, Mark White, said:
“Fire can have a devastating impact on business so it’s vital that risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to increase fire safety.
“We understand this is a challenging time for everyone including businesses, and we want the business community to know we are here to support them.
“We urge all business owners or ‘responsible persons’ (RPs) to work closely with our inspecting teams to achieve and maintain compliance with fire safety legislation, to ensure the safety of Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents. We are an empowering organisation that will always be happy to assist business owners to do the right thing.”
Over the past year, HIWFRS has handled more than 4,500 interactions with businesses of all kinds and sizes, supporting them through a combination of consultations, formal inspections and other educational initiatives such as free webinars.
In the dedicated ‘workplace’ area of the HIWFRS website, business owners and RPs can access clear guidance on all areas of business fire safety. The site also includes access to a brand new interactive business fire safety awareness tool.
So far this year, a total of 50 businesses have taken part in the virtual workshops.
The HIWFRS Primary Authority team also works with 52 partners to provide tailored advice across a variety of business groups from sleeping and hospitality, to retail and warehousing, waste management and commerce.
The free business fire safety webinars are held monthly. Contact the team to find out more csprotection.admin@hantsfire.gov.uk or book your place here: webinars
