Responsibilities:
 

 1  Who's responsible for my sites health and safety requirements?

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This will be the 'site responsible person'. This will either be the building owner, site manager or a specifically dedicated person/persons.

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 2  How often should I be doing my tests/checks?

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Weekly -

• Fire alarm (single manual call point test)

• Extinguisher (visual check)

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Monthly - 

• Emergency Lighting (flash test)

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Annually -

• Risk Assessment

 

 

 

 3  How do I do these tests?
 

Your fire alarm just requires you to test one manual call point (MCP/break glass) per week, with the view to test a different one each time. Try and get into the habit of doing this test first thing in the morning and at the beginning of the week, as should an issue occur it may be necessary for the engineer to order particular replacement parts in - which isn't always achievable last thing on a Friday.
Extinguishers just require a visual check, to confirm their pressure gauge is correct, they're not missing tags, propping doors open or have been damaged in any way.
As for your emergency lighting, this test is just performed once a month. Much like the fire alarm test, this should be quite straight forward. All that is required is a flick (or flash) test - turning your emergency lights on via their key switch to confirm they illuminate then flicking them back off (no need to leave them on for a duration). 
Should you be unsure of how to test anything at all, please don't hesitate to contact us or ask the engineer attending site. We'll be more than happy to walk you through the procedure and provide you with anything you may need.

 

 

 

 4  Can I do our risk assessment myself?

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Unless you're suitably qualified, no, not really.
Over the years I've found a number of sites have created their own risk assessments themselves, often by filling in a blank template they've found on the internet. None of the ones that I've seen over the years have been even close to suitable - often lacking key information bespoke for the site itself. I will always advise that you have a suitable risk assessment performed by a suitably qualified person.

 

 

 

 5  Don't we have to have this done every year though?

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Not necessarily. Your risk assessment does need to be reviewed annually, yes. But you wont always need a whole new risk assessment created every year. If you have a professional create your first assessment, providing there have been no structual or occupational changes your original risk assessment should still be valid.

 

 

 

 6  We've not had any maintenance work in ages. Is that a problem?

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Yes! Failing to adequately maintain your system and practices can result in your site/business being closed with immediate effect, and unlimited fine and/or a 2 year custodial sentence for those responsible.