Hi Guys, Another issue to ask some advise. I have introduced a new emergency response system at site as they site has ignored this and never had a formal (implemented) system. We have consulted H&S reps and mgt team in process as well as local Fire service. At implementation stage there are members of the staff refusing to do fire warden duties and maintenance response duties (going to the fire alarm panel and communucating to Senior Fire Officer via radio of the location identified. They are ask to sweep area to confirm if fire condition or false alarm -This is only 2 people) They will get full training in procedure, fire extinguisher practical,etc. We did not get any volunteers for fire warden duty and maintenance staff refuse to do their task. They want payment to do anything not within their core job duties. (this is generally the comment when it comes to looking for new first aiders, H&S Reps, etc). We need these roles to operate and fulifill our duties under the legislation. Can we enforce this on selected employees? Thanks

Must agree with S4B - sound like a culture problem to me. Forcing anyone to do things they do not want to will lead to poor performance - if they do it at all. And if its not in their contract then look out if you try and push it. You have advised management of their requirements to meet the regs - let them manage it. David

Greetings!! Every department need to nominate volunteers for Fire warden & First aider. We need to train these people, HSE need to evalute thier performance in mock drills. If some one refuse to do his duty, then we need to excempt him. I thing its more of a personal commitment. Cheers Jesu, DXB

We have a number of First Aiders who get a small payment each month, our fire wardens did not used to get the payment but out managers agreed that they have to respond in the same way as first Aiders so they get a similar payment. - It's a good way of saying thank you to the people who are trained to respond in an emergency. But if they all refused to be wardens any more besides the cutural issue which would need to be addressed, most contracts have a clause saying "or any other dutie needed or as prescribed from time to time" also Employees have a duty under HSAWA Section 7 to "Co-operate with employers or other persons so far as is necessary to enable them to perform their duties or requirements under the Act." So they don't have much choice if you require them to perform additional duties leave the rest to Managers and HR Just my opinion