Allied Training Services urge businesses to prepare for new fire regulations

New fire regulations affecting businesses across Scotland, are coming into force on 1 October 2006.  As the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005 will affect employers and virtually all those who are responsible for non-domestic premises Aberdeen based Allied Training Services (a subsidiary of Allied Stevedores Ltd) is urging local businesses to prepare now for the new regulations.

Danny Lonie, Director of Allied Stevedores Ltd comments, “Under RRFSO Fire Certificates will be abolished and will cease to have legal status.  Responsibility for complying with the RRFSO will rest with the ‘responsible person’.  In nearly all workplaces, this will be the employer, who will be required to carry out a fire risk assessment for all ‘relevant persons’, paying particular attention to those at special risk.  Those employing five or more people must record significant findings from risk assessments.”

Danny adds, “We strive to be ahead of our competitors by offering high-tech training facilities and equipment.  With the new Fire Safety Order coming into force later this year, we want to assure businesses that are unsure of what these regulations will mean to them, that they can approach Allied Training Services for help. Our fire safety course will cover aspects that businesses, with five or more employees, will need to address including fire planning, control, monitoring, maintenance, assistance, information, training and reviewing safety measures.  We can also complete fire risk assessments for businesses to help them meet their legal requirements.” 

In addition to the fire safety courses, Allied Training Services are also accredited to deliver the widely recognised ‘Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’ (IOSH) training.  Danny comments, “Such corporate courses provide companies both large and small with certified health and safety training with options to tailor the training to their business and/or sector. We regularly deal with industry sectors ranging from the care industry to the oil and gas sector.”

Entering into these new training markets has been made possible by the shared expertise of staff at Allied Stevedores. Danny recently joined forces with Naomi Mandel, a chartered safety practitioner, after they met on a marketing course run by Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise).

Naomi comments “We recognise how difficult it can be for small business owners like ourselves to meet the health and safety and employment law requirements, as they become increasingly burdensome for small businesses. As small business owners ourselves, we understand the needs of small business and so we are ideally placed to offer our expertise.  We can assist small businesses with policy development and risk assessments, as well as delivering training for them.”

Joyce Duncan, director of operations of Enterprise comments, “Opportunities to go on courses where you can network with likeminded business professionals, are invaluable to small businesses and start ups. Word of mouth and positive associations are arguably one of the most effective marketing methods which no amount of marketing training can substitute.”

Danny continues, “We were keen to maximise the marketing potential of Allied Training Services’ courses by launching the Allied Training Services website.  The Enterprise business adviser was able to provide advice and information on who to contact in order to facilitate the website design.”

Allied Stevedores are working with CKX Design, a newly established web design company to create the website.  Danny adds “The new website promoting the courses and indeed our full range of services should go live on 3 April 2006.” 

Joyce at Enterprise continues, “Networking can form an important element of business growth.  Effective networking can make it seem as if you have extra sales people promoting your product or service as people will recommend you. Choose your business partners wisely, and you will soon come to learn that identifying business opportunities for a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge is at the heart of all great business partnerships.”

Allied Stevedores deliver government courses for forklift training, as well as a wide variety of courses including banksman slingers, manual handling and lifting operations and equipment (LOLER).  Allied Stevedores also provide courses on fire safety and a range of health and safety and employment law issues.  In addition Allied Stevedores supply qualified forklift drivers and riggers. For further information visit www.allied-stevedores.co.uk or contact Allied Training Services on 01224 596669. 

Enterprise delivers business support and advice through the Business Gateway service which is supported by Scottish Enterprise.  Telephone 01224 289725 for any aspect of business advice or visit www.enetrust.com.

Ends

Picture Caption: Joyce Duncan, director of operations of Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) says that opportunities to go on courses where you can network with likeminded business professionals, are invaluable to small businesses and start ups.

For further information contact:
Lyndsay Brackenbury
Tricker PR
9 Victoria Street
Aberdeen
Telephone  01224 646491
Direct Line 01224 654086
Mobile  07780 680751
Email  lbrackenbury@trickerpr.com