Analyzing Potential Hazards in the Students Accommodation Centre - Literature review Example

Risk Management Student’s Name Grade Course: Tutor’s Name: Date: Risk Management Introduction According to Kolakowski (2010), risk management involves the assessment of hazards, quantifying them and employing the right strategies in curbing or controlling them. This means that in order to effectively manage fire-related risks, a comprehensive risk assessment must be carried out. The process of risk assessment involves the listing of potential hazards as well as ways to reduce their effects in unfortunate instances where fires break out. This case study seeks to delve deeply into what a local fire station must do to reduce the number of fires in the students’ accommodation centre. Analysing and evaluating potential hazards in the students’ accommodation centre The 2005 Act on the Safety, Health and Welfare at the Work place states clearly in Section 19 that hazards must be identified in any institution by its managers. The act further states that risks in any work place must be well documented in order to enhance the well being of workers. This way, it becomes easy to establish strategic measures that will ensure that these risks are kept under control and that those involved are warned accordingly. They are provided with a set of rules and regulations that govern their safety while in the premises. According to Munn & Co. (1880), one of the major causes of fire in the accommodation centre for students are heaters. Though heaters are harmless when properly, negligence often leads to fatal fires. Candles again, just like heaters are ideal if used correctly and negligence often leads to fires if for instance the candle is left burning unwatched or is placed near curtains and other flammable materials. Careless smoking is a potential fire risk. The cigarette tabs may be disposed negligently and end up torching the centre. The other leading cause of fire in students’ accommodation centre includes burners which they use to cook light meals within the school. This is a potential risk and again negligence surfaces. There could be cases however whereby the appliance in use is faulty but this needs to be reported. This can be termed as accidental and it is always important to ensure that faulty devices are not in use. Microwaves are another leading cause of fires in the student accommodation centre. Many students will report back late from their classes and go ahead to warm a snack before they catch their sleep. This may end up badly if the microwave is left unattended and thus break into a fire (Munn & Co., 1880). The use of stoves is another potential hazard that students live with in the accommodation centre. Stoves may explode due to pressure or mishandling and this can lead to a devastating fire. Another potential hazard is an iron box which every student has and use every now and then maybe unwary of the danger that this gadget poses to the entire school community. There have been cases of short circuits leading to fire break outs. All these appliances can be detrimental to the safety of the accommodation centre if used negligently. In most cases, these appliances are old and they could be faulty enough to bring the centre down in flames. Extension cables present in every room are another potential hazard that students must be very wary of. The older they get the more susceptible they become to shorting out (Munn & Co., 1880). This however is not limiting to old appliances only as new ones can be equally risky. The use of lighters and matches is prevalent through out the facility and these are a potential risks to the safety of the premise. If disposed carelessly, matches and lighters have a high risk of causing fires. Cooking is also a potential hazard where food is left cooking without supervision. Use of gas is also prevalent in the accommodation centre and many a time cookers have been left on where gas leaks and it only takes a flicker and the facility is up in flames. Faulty electricity lines within the student accommodation centre are also chief causes of fires (Munn & Co., 1880). Controlling and reducing the risks of these hazards Having listed the potential hazards, controlling and reducing the instances of fire becomes manageable. The first step I will take is to put up preventive measures strategically in the accommodation centre where all will be able to access them. This way, sensitization will have taken place and this will make the students more aware of the risks surrounding them and how to evade them. I will then put measures to be taken in events of fire in place too and go ahead to offer education on how to use them. For instance, I will ensure that fire extinguishers are placed in strategic places where they can be easily accessed in an emergency as recommended by DTF (2010). Training the students on their usage is of essence because the major idea here is to equip them with all they need to know about fighting fires and this will be my next step. To curb the fires that might emerge from the identified hazards, I will ensure that all the faulty appliances are replaced and ensure that the ones in use are not hazardous. It is of essence to ensure that the students desist from negligence since this has surfaced as the major cause of fires and I will carry out a sensitization program on this. This will include ensuring that they only smoke in the designated areas and ensure that they dispose their cigarettes correctly. Those using heaters, cookers and iron boxes will have to ensure that they never leave them unattended since this is very dangerous to them and others. I will ensure that open wires are coated at once to ensure that there are no live ones lying around dangerously. I will also make sure that candles are never left burning near flammables such as loose curtains and books. When it comes to use of gas, I will ensure that those with such appliances cork them tightly and replace the leaking ones immediately. These measures will definitely reduce the risk of fire in the student accommodation centre. I will embark on sensitizing the students on the importance of unplugging all the electronic gadgets they have after use. Strategy for reducing the number of fires through risk assessment and management According to SSRA (2010), the number of fires can be reduced considerably if people will take the stipulated risk assessment measures. Before embarking on risk assessment, it is vital to tell the difference between the terms risk and hazard. A hazard refers to anything that is potentially dangerous to individuals’ lives, health, environment and property whereas a risk is an undesired outcome of a hazard. Risk management strategy revolves around coming up with a program that seeks to list the hazards in the premises in question. In this scenario, the local fire station ought to conduct hazard identification on the accommodation facility for the students in the first place. The next step will be to identify the kind of risk these hazards pose to the students. The fire station will have to come up with remedies which will be geared towards reducing the listed risks. Risk assessment will not be complete without a proper examination of the hazards and the harm that would follow. This way, the fire station will be better placed to institute the necessary procedures that will be undertaken in an event of a fire break out. It will also be in a better position to estimate how expansive the damage would be and what more should be done to lessen this risk. The primary goal of risk assessment is to ensure that no casualties are registered and in the rare event of one, then the extent of damage will not be fatal (SSRA, 2010). A safety statement must be produced at the end of the investigative analysis detailing the hazards, the dangers they pose and the preventive measures that must be put in place. A safety statement is a requirement that must be provided in accordance to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. This is highlighted in Section 20 of this act and it demands that this statement reviews workers’ safety and health while at the premise. In this case, the fire station must come up with a statement detailing the students’ safety while in the premises (SSRA, 2010). This statement goes forth to cover other people in the institution such as members of staff, visitors as well as the public. The safety statement must avail complete details on how safe the equipments in use are and the professionals involved to ensure the same (SSRA, 2010). This statement is copied to the relevant authorities who include the school administration and the students as well to make them aware of the hazards in their midst, the risk they pose and what action has been taken against them. The action taken could either be total elimination or putting up some rules and regulations which will control the eventualities. The main reason why risk assessment is carried out is to ensure the safety of those in the premises and ensure that they are not exposed to any fire-related danger (SSRA, 2010). With risk assessment, fire accidents are bound to reduce with a great margin since it serves as a sensitization program to the parties involved. It prompts them to be more careful while handling these gadgets which are potential risks and the creating of such awareness is vital for any institution (SSRA, 2010). Both the Risk Assessment and Safety Statement will work positively towards the institution’s finances since they will only be put to good use as the potential hazards that would cause accidents and damages have been identified. They also bring out all the risks and their resulting impacts to light and the institution will be better placed in budgeting for such in eventualities. Through Risk Assessment and Safety Statement, this institution will become compliant with what is stipulated by the laws of the particular county (SSRA, 2010). Fire & Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management plan According to FSAC (2010), the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 – Chapter 21 was passed on the 22nd of July and the main aim behind this Act was to introduce modern measures of fighting fires compliant with the 21st century. It was an amendment of the Fire Services Act of 1947 which was more bent on devolution. Its primary goal was to ensure that fire stations were available locally in every area with the aim of curbing fires through devolvement. In Section 6, this Act emphasizes on preventing fires through fire safety education to the community. Preventing fires from occurring is the core point here and since deaths, injuries and damage to property are kept at bay. This has been achieved through workshops within the community to educate them on fire preventive measures. In this case, the preventive nature of this Act is ideal for this institution since the students will have the power to monitor their safety in the accommodation facility. In the long run, preventing a fire is far more cost effective than dealing with its adverse effects which may include deaths, severe injuries and damage to property (FSAC, 2010). Equipping people with information on what how to prevent fires is a cost effective way that will save people from the risks that fire poses. This is done through demonstrations and the lessons learnt will sure be helpful for the longest time as education is power. This Act also embarks on the installation of smoke alarms which are programmed to go off in the instance of abnormal smoke. This is preventive in that the fire is controlled even before it breaks out. Most of its targets are the vulnerable people in the society as well as the young people (FSAC, 2010). Protection from fires According to NFPA (2010), protection from fires is vital and all people are at risk and thus it is important to educate them on the safety tips which they can employ in an effort to protect themselves and others from fires. The one thing that people must ensure is that the facility they are living is fully sprinklered. It is important to ensure that there are smoke alarms in every room just in case a fire is about to break out and their interconnection is highly advocated for to ensure that all go off in the event of a fire. Among the fire protection procedures that must be carried out routinely is the testing of smoke alarms in order to ensure that they are in good working condition. A monthly program is recommended since it is of high essence to have safety gadgets that can easily detect fires in case of an eventuality. It is important to ensure that the smoke alarms have their batteries on and functioning as they can be useless if interfered with since they loose their efficacy (NFPA, 2010). Carrying out drills on the premises is another highly recommended protective measure that must happen often. This way, all people will be better positioned to act accordingly in an effort to evacuate people and ensuring that the fire is put out soonest to avoid injuries and destruction of property. People must at all times respect the smoke alarms and must leave the facility at once to avoid instances of deaths and fatal injuries. Flashlights are recommended in instances where there is a power outage and cooking must only be done in designated areas only (NFPA, 2010). People must at all time carry out activities such as cooking, ironing and warming foods using microwaves when they are fully alert. They must restrain from such activities if they are on drunk, if they are drowsy due to medicinal effects and if they are suffering fatigue. It is vital to consult with the local fire station to get to know their requirements regarding the use of equipment. Ensuring that the fire fighting appliances meet the safety standards is also highly recommended as a fire protection measure. This way, fires will be mitigated and the losses suffered will be less (NFPA, 2010). Conclusion Risk management is a must for every institution and fire is one of the risks that face such institution. Fire is not only destructive to people’s lives and property but also kills and leaves scars that last a lifetime in its wake. Reducing the number of fires is every fire stations primary goal and this one in particular has gone into deep lengths in an effort to curb fires in this students’ accommodation facility. From this risk assessment plan sheet, it is evident that many fires are caused by the students’ negligent lifestyles which involve carelessness while handling electric appliances among others. The idea behind risk management as depicted by this risk assessment plan sheet is to identify the hazards and then taking the correct preventive measures to ensure that fires are kept at bay. This is intended to enlighten guide students on how to prevent fire break outs. References Kolakowski, M. (2010) Risk management, viewed 5 June 2010, Safety Statement and Risk Assessment (SSRA) (2010) What is a Risk Assessment? Munn & Co. (1880), ‘Fire – Causes and prevention,’ Scientific American, vol. XLIII, no. 25. Detech Firesense Technologies (DFT) (2010), Fire Safety: Major causes of fire, Viewed 5 June 2010, < http://www.detech.com/fire_safety/fire_causes.html> Fire Safety Advice Centre (FSAC). (2010), The fire and rescue services act 2004 chapter 21, viewed 5 June 2010, < http://www.firesafe.org.uk/html/legislation/fsarb.htm> National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2010), Campus and dorm fire The authority on fire, viewed 5 June 2010, < http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=711&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Occupancies/Campus%20and%20dorm%20fires&cookie_test=1> Read More