Health & Safety Update (July 2010)

New guidelines issued to Fire-Fighters

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a policy statement which should enable Fire-Fighters to respond faster and more effectively when faced with dangerous situations. The guidelines advise that whilst the Fire and Rescue Service still have a duty to protect their workers, this duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act should not inhibit Fire-Fighters from protecting the public, a core function of their role. This follows the findings from a fatal accident enquiry in March that looked into the circumstances surrounding the death of Alison Hume, who fell 40 feet down a disused mineshaft near Glasgow.  Attending fire crews were unable to use their equipment to rescue Alison Hume as they had previously received a memo stating that their rescue equipment was for saving themselves, not members of the public.

Judith Hackitt, chair of the HSE has stated, "Fire-Fighters perform a unique and indispensable role. It is part of their job to intervene in dangerous situations to protect people and property. The law expects that they will themselves be protected as far as is reasonably practicable – but in fast moving situations they must exercise their judgement about what is reasonable and what is not."

Efforts were eventually made by a local Mountain Rescue Team to rescue Ms Hume, who sadly died of a heart attack during the operation to extract her from the mineshaft.