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GaEG  
#1 Posted : 09 November 2011 17:55:34(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
GaEG

In the building that I look after, approx 500 staff, there is no official Fire Safety Induction to new joiners, old staff members have not been officially trained either. Whereas there is a sufficient number of Fire Wardens and general Fire Safety is good, the inductions need to be looked at urgently. I am looking for advise on what's the best way?? - Does induction by all staff email to currect employees would be sufficient? (My understanding is no - as you can not guarantee that everyone read it) - All staff meeting or departmental meetings? - Hire a H&S consultant to do the initial induction 1 by 1? And generate the induction package for the future? Any views or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
m  
#2 Posted : 09 November 2011 18:22:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
m

Here's a thought...H&S is line management responsibility; why not train up the managers, provide a PowerPoint and a handout sheet and a register sheet and roll it out that way. Feel free to embed my fire induction animation....
firesafety101  
#3 Posted : 09 November 2011 19:27:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

It may be a little late to "induct" everyone but never too late for fire safety training. I had a similar issue some years ago, but with 1800 employees who had not been updated in the evacuation procedures. With the support of senior management I arranged a 20 minute session that covered all salient points, everyone attended the training room in groups of 10 to 20 where I went through the procedure. Everyone recorded their names when attending and it went well. You have 500 staff, if you split them into groups of 20 it will only take 25 sessions. Less than one week to do them all that way. I like m's cartoon and it is a good way to go but may be a little too short for an initial induction? My opinion. The cartoon idea would be good for continuation training as short bursts sent to everyone's PC will keep them on their toes. Again my opinion.
GaEG  
#4 Posted : 10 November 2011 14:23:41(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
GaEG

Thanks guys. The training sessions seem like a very good option. Chris - did you have 100% attendance? Those that do not attend, did you chase them up individually? And in how much details did you go when doing the training, did you do the training yourself or had some help? Anyone would be willing to share of what their induction consists of or guide me into the right direction, where I can find this online. The resources I find are either very very detailed or very brief, so not sure what the right plan should be.
Jane Blunt  
#5 Posted : 10 November 2011 15:30:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

I cover the following in the fire section of my induction: the devastating effect that fire would have on their work. How the detection system works (individually addressed heads, automatic, they register the location of the activation at the main panel, they set off the fire alarm in the specific building automatically and the fire brigade is immediately alerted by Security) The detectors' susceptibility to false alarm and how some of this is prevented. The evacuation procedure - shortest route out, go to assembly area. People are asked to make sure they know at least two routes out of their area. The location of the assembly areas, what they are and what they are not (places of safety). Where they would probably have to go in the event of a real fire The role of the fire wardens, since a roll call is impossible. The importance of compartmentation and ensuring the corridor doors can shut freely. The use of the fire alarm call points - e.g. if there is a smell of burning or a burning solvent that has not yet produced smoke Who is authorised to allow people back into the building after an alarm. How to get out through the external locked doors at night. Limiting the storage of large quantities of flammable liquids to the zoned areas. The importance of reporting missing fire extinguishers Where to get fire extinguisher training.
firesafety101  
#6 Posted : 10 November 2011 15:41:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Gabalyte wrote:
Thanks guys. The training sessions seem like a very good option. Chris - did you have 100% attendance? Those that do not attend, did you chase them up individually? And in how much details did you go when doing the training, did you do the training yourself or had some help? Anyone would be willing to share of what their induction consists of or guide me into the right direction, where I can find this online. The resources I find are either very very detailed or very brief, so not sure what the right plan should be.
It was 100% of those present on the days they were booked in, it was a factory that had shut downs for holidays so only those off ill missed out. The content was "what to do in case of fire" and covered the fire procedure, raising the alarm, how to react on hearing the alarm, assemby points etc. We had a works fire brigade, well trained, so fire fighting was not included. I did the training myself as I was the company Health Safety and Fire Officer. If you decide to follow my lead I suggest short, sharp sessions initially to get the thing started. Follow ups can be more detailed. Good luck.
GaEG  
#7 Posted : 10 November 2011 16:23:45(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
GaEG

It looks like I have a couple of busy months ahead! Thanks for everyone's imput. I am meeting senior management next week, to discuss on action points. Still undecided if I will be doing this myself or to get a consultant to put all in place initially and then go alone after. Mostly due to workload and I would rather a professional did this. I am certified in IOSH Managing Safely, but not sure if this makes me competent in training on such a scale?
hopeful  
#8 Posted : 10 November 2011 16:32:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
hopeful

Would an online training session be an option. There are many versions out on the market and most you can track and then target specific non-conformers. This could be backed up with informaiton in Company Comms and evacuation drills perhaps
NEE' ONIONS MATE!  
#9 Posted : 10 November 2011 16:49:00(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
NEE' ONIONS MATE!

Following on from Janes list, I'd have aleast 10 minutes going through some basic fire prevention awareness too
fornhelper  
#10 Posted : 11 November 2011 15:26:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
fornhelper

I always finish my fire training with 10 minutes discussing fire safety at home. There is more likelihood of a fire in someone's home than in their workplace. I find this worthwhile as it re-enforces the message of fire safety in the workplace and gives those attending a better understanding of the reasons behind closing doors, switching of electrical equipment, smoke detectors etc. FH
malcarleton  
#11 Posted : 13 November 2011 04:07:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
malcarleton

In my work area Fire Awareness training is a mandatory annual training event for all employees. The video and powerpoint presentation takes about 40 minutes and covers The basic elements of fire How fires Start How fires spread Safety measures currently in place Evacuation procedures Fire detection and suppression systems in place The video (Which fie extinguisher from the Fire Protection Agency) Describes how to identify, select and use hand held fire extiguishers. Attendance fugures are recorded electronically on the companies QMS and hard copy archives signed by attendees are retained, and yes we do chase people who think they are too busy to attend.
m  
#12 Posted : 13 November 2011 16:00:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
m

ChrisBurns wrote:
I like m's cartoon and it is a good way to go but may be a little too short for an initial induction? My opinion.
Thanks Chris, as I said in my original post the animation is too supplement the training. I use them just to put across or support a message, not to replace any training.
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