Lax fire safety ‘could put lives at risk’

Posted 13/04/2010

Employers who do not follow fire safety regulations could be putting the lives of their employees at risk.

This is the warning of insurance company RSA, which has carried out a survey into fire precautions and found that many firms may not be properly instructing staff about evacuation procedures.

Indeed, 25 per cent of respondents said they have never had a fire drill at work and one in 20 reported not having emergency exits at their place of work.

The poll also found that apathy is rife among British workers regarding safety, with 42 per cent saying they would stop to get their bags or work documents in a fire before they left.

David Geer, RSA spokesperson, said it is vital that employers instruct their workforces about how to get out of buildings in case of fire.

“Businesses that do not take fire safety seriously are risking their employees’ lives and their livelihoods,” he added.

Advice from the Fire Protection Association suggests that companies carry out proper fire drills at least once a year.