How to appoint a fire safety officer in a company?

The appointment of a Fire Safety Officer is a key step in ensuring fire prevention, awareness, and risk management within a company.

✅ Why appoint a fire safety officer?

• He ensures compliance with fire regulations.
• He coordinates prevention and training activities.
• Ensures that safety equipment is in good working order
• He is the point of contact for emergency services in the event of a disaster.

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🛠️ What are its main responsibilities?

• Keep the safety log up to date
• Schedule regulatory inspections (fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency exits, etc.)
• Organize evacuation drills
• Train and raise awareness among employees
• Establish or update the evacuation plan
• Overseeing the compliance of premises

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📋 How should it be designated?

1. Choose a competent and willing person, preferably someone who already has some knowledge of safety or an awareness of these issues.
2. Formalize the appointment in writing (memo or official letter), specifying:
   • Its missions
   • His position in the organizational chart
   • His responsibilities
3. Provide them with appropriate training, such as "First Responder (EPI)," "Fire Safety Officer," or "SSIAP" training (depending on their profile and the type of establishment).
4. Include it in the Single Risk Assessment Document (DUERP) and the prevention plan.

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🏢 Who can be appointed?

• In a small or medium-sized business, this may be the manager, a QHSE manager, or a trained employee.
• In large organizations, the position may be full-time or shared between several advisors.

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⚠️ Important

The manager's responsibility cannot be delegated entirely: even when appointing a fire safety officer, the employer remains legally responsible for the safety of their employees.