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Marc270410  
#1 Posted : 15 June 2010 11:52:21(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Marc270410

This is my first post on here as im due to start my H&S course in Sept so please be gentle!

We currently work in a 3 story building. On the floor where I work (top floor) there is a door leading to the loft. Quite frequently contractors (mainly electricians fitting network cables) go into the loft to lay cables that run across the whole building.

What I want to know is how do we monitor these contractors? Some times I can be sat at my desk after lunch or a meeting and the door will suddenly open and out will walk the electrician. In the event of a fire would/should the fire warden be expected to check this area? How should we manage this risk?
Safety Smurf  
#2 Posted : 15 June 2010 12:14:39(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

We have a near identical situation. We manage ours through key control, if the door is locked assume the loft is empty (keys are on the ground floor anyway and it wouldn't be smart to go all the way down and then back up again). If the door is unlocked then a fire marshal should sweep the loft.
firesafety101  
#3 Posted : 15 June 2010 13:22:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Is this a building under construction or an occupied premises?

If the latter a simple sign in reporting procedure should work, the contractor/s should report to an individual and sign a register in - and then again when they leave. There should be an induction to the premises rules and a signature of understanding gained.

The sign in register then becomes the fire register in case of evacuation.



PhilBeale  
#4 Posted : 15 June 2010 16:44:13(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PhilBeale

I think you would need to make it clear at the door that someone is working in the area as it might be to late by the time the register is checked or if the fire warden sweep doesn't normally cover this area or it has been forgotten about. aslo ensure the engineer can hear the fire alarm in the area. also he may need to carry a torch in case the power fails. We used to have some very odd roof void spaces at my old company and i always carried a torch (especially the led head torches are good) and when we did have a power failure, with out the torch i would never have gotten out all likely to have had a nasty fall as some of the roof spaces where 30-40ft high

Phil
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