Proceedings involving Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation NHS Trust following a fatal fire at a mental health unit in Blackburn highlight the importance of fire safety oversight in healthcare.
Two points matter for anyone managing premises:
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Responsibility can extend beyond the Responsible Person. Others with control over premises, or contractual obligations relating to maintenance or safety, can also have duties under the Fire Safety Order, to the extent of their control.
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Appointing a contractor does not, by itself, discharge the Responsible Person’s duties. You need to understand who is doing what, check that the work is completed and act on identified deficiencies.
Whether you work in housing, healthcare, education or commercial property, ask yourself: can you demonstrate how the findings of your fire risk assessment translate into effective precautions, maintained equipment and staff who know what to do?
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Shared for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. Please contact us for specific advice on your circumstances.