The news come thick and fast – first it's our legislators falling foul of some very basic aspects within the requirements of their very own fire safety legislation. Secondly, we have a young lad setting fire to himself trying to steal live electrical cable. Thirdly, we have a Grandmother leaving her Grandson but saving her pets, from a fire in the home.

The catalyst for writing this piece comes a s a result of the HSE having to issue urgent warnings to check recycling bins because at least 3 people have been found dead on arrival at corporation rubbish tips, having been crushed inadvertently by collection agencies. It appears that some people are using these bins as dwellings, either temporarily after an evening out on the booze, or more permanently for those that are homeless.

It occurred to me that the one thread that runs constant through these events, is the variable of human behaviour. What could possibly have gone through the minds of those that are in charge at the CLG? I can only assume that they all felt that the legislation did not apply to them as the systems they had in place were already adequate enough to protect the people within the organisation.

This is pure assumption as the current administration lay the blame on the previous administration and we will never know the truth. We can only speculate what might have happened had a serious fire occurred.

Research into human behaviour has told us time and time again that some people are just not prepared, considered nor responsive to emergencies without training, training and training.

We are all creatures of habit, reflex and impulse and require stimulus to alter our behaviour. Human nature they say, It's only human to find a short cut, an easier way, take a risk and simplify procedure, sometimes at the expense of collective protection. This is anecdotal but could be deemed to be confirmed when you note all these recent tragic reports.

Just take our dear grandmother, forgetting her 11 year old grandson, leaving him asleep and totally oblivious to a fire downstairs. There was no malicious intent here and no choice between her pets and close family, we are sure. However, what we can also be sure of is that because this emergency was unfamiliar, unusual and extremely rare, there was no pre-considering, preparedness and therefore no plan.

The very nature of risk assessment requires the individual to give considered thought to an occurrence and to develop strategy for prevention and protection.

It appears to us that the message needs further distribution and the volume needs to go up a decibel or so. We do not believe is an analogue addressable, automatic or technological solution, it is a human problem that is solved by humans – Communication, Training, Instruction, Engagement and Practice.

The Means of Escape try to engage the readership to get involved both to satisfy legislation in the workplace but more than anything else, prepare for the most likely occurrence, which is an incident at home.

Jim Creak

Executive Editor

Means of Escape Publications Ltd

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