Fire rescue groups have endorsed a new policy statement that sets out
how the Fire and Rescue Service should comply with occupational health
and safety duties in their operations.
Similar to the statement issued in relation to the Police Service in October last year, ‘Striking the balance’ sets out the HSE’s intention to take a sensible and proportionate approach to dealing with risk in the Fire Service. It stresses that fire and rescue authorities have a legal duty to protect their workers’ health and safety, but underlines that this doesn’t prevent fire-fighters from doing their job.
It follows concerns that health and safety legislation is misunderstood within some fire and rescue services in terms of their operational work. Last week, a fatal accident inquiry in Scotland heard evidence that a health and safety memo prevented fire-fighters from rescuing a woman who had fallen down an old mine shaft in Galston, Ayrshire, in July 2008.
The HSE policy statement, which has been under development for some time, was launched today (12 March) with the backing of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), and the Government’s Office of the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor (OCFRA).
Speaking at the launch, HSE chair Judith Hackitt said: “We want to clear up any misunderstandings – a proper approach to health and safety does not prevent fire-fighters from doing their job.”
She acknowledged that fire-fighters perform a “unique and indispensible role”, and that it is part of their job “to intervene in dangerous situations to protect people and property”.
The policy statement acknowledges that “fire-fighters and managers. . . have to make decisions in what are sometimes extremely hazardous, emotionally-charged, and fast-moving situations”. However, it also makes clear that employees in the Fire Service have the right to expect good health and safety systems, which take into account the unique nature of their work, as well as robust and non-bureaucratic risk assessments.
Mark Smitherman, CFOA operational response director, commented: “It is vital for the safety of both fire-fighters and members of the public that the best possible decisions are made under such extreme and challenging circumstances.
“Appropriate health and safety guidance will help us do this, and I am delighted that we now have this statement to clarify how the balance between operational need and health and safety can be struck.”
John McGhee, national officer at the FBU, remarked: “In our profession health and safety is literally a matter of life or death. The FBU is glad to see that HSE recognises there is a balance between placing unacceptable expectations on fire-fighters and making sure they are trained and equipped to safely carry out the job they are expected to do – save lives.”
The HSE says inspectors will refer to the statement in conducting inspections and investigations of fire services.
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