Overview

improve fire safety awareness in my workplace — this guide explains practical, legally informed steps you can take now to raise awareness, reduce risk and meet your duties as the responsible person. You will learn how to assess current awareness, plan targeted training, use clear communication and records, and create a sustainable culture that keeps people safe.

Why improving fire safety awareness matters

Improving fire safety awareness in my workplace reduces the chance of a fire starting and improves the chance of a safe, organised evacuation if one does occur. Employers and those responsible for premises must make sure people know how to prevent fires, recognise hazards and respond correctly in an emergency. A well-informed workforce can spot risks early and act to limit harm, which protects people and assets and reduces legal and financial exposure. totalsafeuk.com

Start with a clear baseline: assess current awareness

First, determine what your staff already know. Carry out a short survey, run informal interviews with teams or test basic knowledge with a brief quiz. Check training records and the fire logbook to see who has attended formal courses and when. Also walk the site and watch how people behave around common hazards such as kettles, portable heaters, hot works or storage of combustible waste.

Next, tie your findings to the results of your Fire Risk Assessment. If you do not have an up-to-date assessment, arrange one quickly. A competent FRA will identify hazards and show which areas or groups are most at risk, allowing you to target awareness activities effectively. For professional support, consider arranging a Fire Risk Assessment with Total Safe.

Set clear objectives and priorities

Once you have a baseline, set specific objectives. For example: ensure all staff complete a basic fire safety awareness session within three months, train at least two fire marshals per shift, or reduce combustible waste left in escape routes by 80 percent. Prioritise high-risk areas such as kitchens, workshop floors or storage rooms. Concrete targets make progress measurable and help you allocate budget and time.

Also agree who will lead the effort. The responsible person should appoint a fire safety champion or a small steering group drawn from different departments. This spreads ownership and helps communication reach all parts of the business.

Deliver effective training and refresher sessions

Training is central to awareness. Aim for a mix of formats so learning sticks. Short, face-to-face sessions work well for practical skills. Online modules suit refresher training and new starters. Practical demonstrations increase confidence and retention.

Ensure training covers the following key points and practice them practically where possible:

The basics of fire behaviour and the fire triangle.
How fires commonly start in your setting.
The workplace evacuation procedure and assembly points.
Use and limits of portable fire extinguishers (the emphasis should be safe evacuation first).
Reporting procedures for defects or near misses.

For structured courses, you can commission tailored sessions such as Fire Marshal and Fire Extinguisher training. Total Safe offers on-site and classroom options to suit different workplaces.

Use clear, consistent communication across the workplace

Good communication keeps safety messages front of mind. Use a combination of visual and verbal channels.

Post concise fire-action notices at exits and near fire alarm call points. Add short reminders in staff newsletters and team briefings. Place posters by high-risk equipment and in staff rooms. Use digital screens or intranet banners for regular tips and seasonal hazards.

Make messages simple and positive. For instance, “Keep exit routes clear — it saves lives” is more effective than lengthy technical advice. Also translate essential instructions for staff who are not fluent in English.

Make drills realistic and purposeful

Drills build muscle memory and expose weaknesses. Schedule evacuation drills at least once a year, and increase frequency for high-risk or high-turnover workplaces. Vary the scenarios so teams practise different escape routes and account for people with mobility needs.

After each drill, hold a short debrief to capture lessons learned and record these in the fire logbook. Fix any practical issues, such as locked final exits or unclear assembly points, promptly. These practical fixes often deliver immediate safety gains.

Equip and empower Fire Marshals and supervisors

Train nominated Fire Marshals in leadership, evacuation management and basic use of extinguishers. Fire Marshals should know the evacuation plan, how to check their zone quickly and where to report on arrival at the assembly point. When chosen from existing teams, they can influence peers and keep safety alive between formal sessions.

Also give Fire Marshals the authority and tools they need: high-visibility tabards, radios for larger sites, and time in their rota for training and checks.

Use signage, systems and environmental cues

Physical cues help awareness. Good signage, well-maintained escape route lighting and unobstructed doors all remind people what to do and where to go. Inspect emergency lighting and exit signage regularly and log checks.

In addition, use simple prompts that fit your environment. For example, coloured floor markings in warehouses can show safe walkways and keep escape routes clear. These cues reduce hesitation in an emergency and help visitors follow the plan.

Record, review and learn from incidents and near misses

Every incident and near miss is a learning opportunity. Record events in a central log, investigate to establish root causes and update procedures to prevent recurrence. Share a short, anonymised summary with staff so they see the value of reporting.

Also link incident reviews to training. If a near miss exposes poor extinguisher use, schedule a practical refresh. If blocked escape routes appear repeatedly, focus communications and supervisors on housekeeping.

Embed awareness into everyday routines

To create lasting change, embed fire safety into normal work routines. Make a short fire-safety check part of shift handovers. Add a fire-safety column to weekly site meetings. Include fire safety in induction for new starters and contractors.

Also align fire safety with other workplace safety programmes, such as manual handling or electrical safety. When people see safety as integrated rather than an isolated task, compliance improves.

Leverage technology and visual tools

Technology can help maintain awareness. Use e-learning platforms for mandatory refresher training and record completion automatically. Mobile apps can provide quick access to evacuation maps and emergency contacts.

For larger sites, consider simple alarm-test schedules with automated reminders so checks are never missed. CCTV and access control data can help spot patterns, such as storage left blocking corridors after specific shifts, which you can then address.

Keep policies and documentation up to date

A current Fire Risk Assessment and clear written procedures are essential. Review your FRA after changes such as a new layout, additional equipment, a change of use or when new staff groups join the site. Written procedures and a well-kept fire logbook also demonstrate compliance to regulators and insurers.

If you need support preparing or updating documents, Total Safe can provide assessments, bespoke documentation and ongoing compliance support.

Engage senior leaders and make the business case

Awareness efforts work best when leaders set expectations. Present a clear business case to senior managers: improved safety reduces downtime, insurance claims and potential legal action. Use concise data from your baseline assessment to show likely benefits and costs.

Senior buy-in helps secure budgets for training, signage and routine maintenance. It also signals to staff that safety matters at every level.

Practical checklist to improve fire safety awareness in my workplace

Use this checklist to turn plans into action:

Carry out a baseline awareness survey within 2 weeks.
Review the Fire Risk Assessment and prioritise high-risk areas.
Schedule basic fire safety awareness training for all staff within 3 months.
Appoint and train Fire Marshals for each shift.
Run evacuation drills at least annually and debrief each time.
Update signage, routes and emergency lighting; log checks.
Record incidents and near misses and act on lessons learned.
Include fire safety in inductions and regular team meetings.
Review policies whenever the workplace changes.

These steps are practical and scalable for small offices or large multi-site operations. For hands-on training and tailored courses, consider booking with experienced providers. Total Safe runs industry-focused sessions for workplaces across the South East, from fire marshal courses to extinguisher training.

Useful resources and further reading

For statutory guidance on workplace responsibilities, refer to official guidance on the responsibilities of employers and the responsible person as set out by government departments. The guidance explains legal duties and practical steps to meet them. GOV.UK guidance on workplace fire safety responsibilities.

For practical tools and health and safety advice, the Health and Safety Executive publishes accessible guidance on fire safety in the workplace and related best practice. HSE fire safety guidance.

If you would rather bring in expert support for assessments, training or ongoing compliance, see Fire Risk Assessment from Total Safe and Fire safety and Fire Marshal training from Total Safe.

Conclusion and next steps

Improving fire safety awareness in my workplace starts with assessment and ends with culture change. Begin by assessing current knowledge and prioritising high-risk areas, then deliver targeted training and realistic drills. Use clear communication, empower Fire Marshals and keep records up to date. Regular review and senior support will make improvements stick.

If you need immediate help, book a fire risk assessment or arrange bespoke training. Small, well-planned actions today can prevent major harm tomorrow. Total Safe