| A fire safety consultant can do much for your | | | | safety requirements. Of course they can meet |
| business, offering professional and | | | | your legally required risk assessment |
| knowledgeable advice on all manner of health | | | | expertly but they can also evaluate different |
| and safety issues whilst specialising in the | | | | risks when situations and circumstances |
| causes and risks posed from fire. A | | | | change. In addition to this, the constant |
| consultant can be especially useful if your | | | | upheaval of the legal regulations means that |
| business has specific requirements that are | | | | an expert can be needed to stay abreast of |
| part and parcel of your industry. While it | | | | developments as well as liaise with the |
| may be possible to carry out certain health | | | | government departments who enforce the |
| and safety procedures without the expertise | | | | regulations. A consultant can also save money |
| of a consultant, in some areas, their | | | | in terms of training costs as they will be |
| knowledge is a useful and valuable asset. | | | | able to evaluate your training needs |
| Having a consultant will ensure your | | | | efficiently and also carry out much of the |
| business' legal requirements are met and you | | | | training. If your advisor is on site much of |
| do not fall foul of the law. | | | | the time it will possible for them to monitor |
| | | | how your staff members are following fire |
| The law does not necessarily enforce that you | | | | procedures. |
| must employ a fire safety consultant. Many | | | | |
| businesses will be able to entrust tasks such | | | | A consultant can also help you develop and |
| as the fire risk assessment to the 'competent | | | | create an occupational health and safety |
| person', that is the person with sufficient | | | | management system or OHSMS. This has rapidly |
| health and safety training to be deemed as | | | | become popular with all manner of businesses |
| competent. If your business operates with the | | | | as its creation can help with regulatory |
| minimum of fire risks it is unlikely you will | | | | compliance. If it is deemed efficient enough |
| need a consultant in order to comply with | | | | it may even be given a system standard from |
| safety regulations. In this situation, | | | | an official body; this can go a long way to |
| carrying out tasks yourself or entrusting | | | | proving to customers and staff members alike |
| them to a suitably trained member of staff is | | | | that you take your health and safety |
| an acceptable solution. Some businesses may | | | | procedures very seriously. |
| need a consultant however, if they have | | | | |
| specialised risks, such as working with | | | | When you are choosing a fire safety |
| highly flammable materials. In this case, a | | | | consultancy service you need to determine |
| consultant can be useful in creating risk | | | | whether they have enough professionals with |
| assessments and putting in place suitable | | | | qualifications or if they are connected to |
| fire safety procedures. | | | | any regulating bodies. Like hiring an |
| | | | employee you should look for references from |
| Even if you use a fire safety consultant | | | | former customers. Make sure they can provide |
| however, the ultimate responsibility of | | | | your staff members with training and have |
| meeting legal requirements is yours as the | | | | effective ways in which to communicate their |
| business manager. Before hiring a consultant | | | | findings and work with you. Ultimately a fire |
| for a fee, it is worth enquiring what | | | | consultancy is a paid service so ensuring you |
| government provisions are in place that you | | | | are receiving a good deal is important. |
| will be able to use for free. Also it will be | | | | |
| worth weighing up the cost of a consultant | | | | Fire safety and health and safety more |
| against the benefits. An external assessor | | | | generally should be taken very seriously. In |
| can save you time and energy but if your | | | | a world full of regulations and legal |
| business cannot afford the fees it is hardly | | | | responsibilities your role as a business |
| the ideal solution to your health and safety | | | | manger is to ensure suitable provisions and |
| needs. | | | | procedures are pursued in order to minimise |
| | | | the risks of fire. While a consultant may be |
| Your fire safety consultant can offer a wide | | | | a considerable outlay, the cost of a fire can |
| array of services to meet your health and | | | | be far greater. |