Bradford firms are being given a chance to have a fire safety check-up to keep them within the law.

Firms are required by law to make sure they have a fire risk assessment done and to make sure people in premises are not at risk.

Crews from Shipley Fire Station are holding a series of half-day seminars at the Bradford & Bingley Sports Club in Wagon Lane, Bingley, on December 1 and 2 to bring bosses up-to-date with the latest fire regulations.

A similar series of seminars for the owners of residential care homes proved popular last year.

Station commander Jim Hainsworth said today: "Employers are now required by law to make proper assessment of the risks of fire in the workplace but we recognise that they probably need guidance - and the Fire Service is best qualified to give it.

"The seminars will be of particular value, not only to those currently unclear or unaware of their responsibilities, but also to those directly involved in the management of health and safety.

"The assessment usually involves identifying hazards and then evaluating the extent of the risk involved," he added.

He said the regulations said that employees with five or more employees must record significant findings of an assessment.

An expert fire safety officer will be at the seminar, which costs £25, to run through the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 in detail, answer questions and offer a model system for recording assessment information. For further information contact Shipley Fire Station on 01274 582629.

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