Unions argue that fire safety law proposals don't go far enough

The TUC has welcomed government proposals that will bring Britain's fire safety laws into line with other workplace safety legislation.

The proposals, set out in a consultation document issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, follow a risk assessment approach, the underlying principle behind other health and safety legislation.

The TUC has also welcomed the proposal to consolidate the regulations, given that the current range of different regulations and regimes is confusing and makes compliance difficult.

In its submission, Inspect to protect, consult to prevent, the TUC makes five key proposals:

* adequate resources for fire safety inspections, so that fire safety regulations don't become ineffective self-regulation;

* an enhanced role for union workplace safety reps, who should be consulted automatically;

* an approved code of practice on fire safety risk management;

* no exemption from the duty to record the significant findings of fire safety risk assessments for firms with fewer than five employees; and

* an end to crown immunity for the government over fire safety on its own premises

The TUC criticises the consultation document for failing to recognise the role trade union safety reps can play in fire risk assessment. It reiterates the point that workplaces with safety representatives have half the number of accidents compared to those without reps.

The TUC response can be found at: www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/ or tel: 020 7467 1325 and the Fire Brigades Union submission is available at www.fbu.org.uk/info/firesafety/fsreform.html or tel: 020 8541 1765