Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Other
Action Planned
RoSPA will review and update fire safety information for sheltered premises on their website in Q4 2024, explore collaborations with professionals in the sector in Q1 2025, and develop a policy position on fire safety in sheltered accommodation in Q1 2025. (AI summary)
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Dear Professor Marks
Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths – Inquest touching the death of Raymond Brattley
We write in response to your email dated August 2. Firstly, may I apologise for the substantial delay in responding to you. I am personally investigating why this happened and will take appropriate action. For future contact, you can approach me directly on this email address.
We are very saddened to read about the tragic death of Mr Brattley, and we thank you for approaching us.
Background The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is a charity in existence for over a century, we are concerned with the prevention of accidents across the full range of life, both in the UK and abroad. RoSPA has no regulatory role, or enforcement powers. We are therefore not in a place to comment on the circumstances of the incident, nor are we able to place blame or identify liability.
Actions and response from RoSPA We note that the report states the following actions/response for RoSPA:
Action should be taken In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation has the power to take such action by highlighting to the widest audience, the risks of careless smoking in vulnerable individuals and indicating that the Fire Services would willingly provide assessment and advice for them. Your response You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by Friday, September 27, 2024. I, the coroner, may extend the period.
Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no action is proposed.
Actions to be taken by RoSPA We acknowledge that as a national charity with substantial reach and reputation that we are a good place to educate the public and industry on accident prevention.
Given Mr Brattley’s history, and the fact that he was moved into sheltered accommodation, it seems reasonable and proportionate that the provider should have engaged the Fire Service for advice on the prevention of further fires RoSPA currently does not have specific guidance on fire prevention in sheltered premises, as this is generally an area where fire and rescue services have expertise. However, we acknowledge that fire incidents within sheltered premises would in many cases be classed as an ‘accident’. Therefore we will look to review our current advice education materials and activities around fire prevention in sheltered premises.
Action Timeline Reviewing and updating relevant information materials about fire safety in sheltered premises on our website
Q4, 2024 Exploring where we can work with professionals within the sheltered accommodation sector to promote fire awareness
Q1, 2025 Developing a policy position on fire safety in sheltered accommodation
Q1, 2025
We appreciate you bringing this tragic incident to our attention, and we would like to work towards preventing future deaths and accidents related to fires in sheltered premises.
Again, I sincerely apologise for the delay in responding to you.
Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths – Inquest touching the death of Raymond Brattley
We write in response to your email dated August 2. Firstly, may I apologise for the substantial delay in responding to you. I am personally investigating why this happened and will take appropriate action. For future contact, you can approach me directly on this email address.
We are very saddened to read about the tragic death of Mr Brattley, and we thank you for approaching us.
Background The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is a charity in existence for over a century, we are concerned with the prevention of accidents across the full range of life, both in the UK and abroad. RoSPA has no regulatory role, or enforcement powers. We are therefore not in a place to comment on the circumstances of the incident, nor are we able to place blame or identify liability.
Actions and response from RoSPA We note that the report states the following actions/response for RoSPA:
Action should be taken In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation has the power to take such action by highlighting to the widest audience, the risks of careless smoking in vulnerable individuals and indicating that the Fire Services would willingly provide assessment and advice for them. Your response You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by Friday, September 27, 2024. I, the coroner, may extend the period.
Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no action is proposed.
Actions to be taken by RoSPA We acknowledge that as a national charity with substantial reach and reputation that we are a good place to educate the public and industry on accident prevention.
Given Mr Brattley’s history, and the fact that he was moved into sheltered accommodation, it seems reasonable and proportionate that the provider should have engaged the Fire Service for advice on the prevention of further fires RoSPA currently does not have specific guidance on fire prevention in sheltered premises, as this is generally an area where fire and rescue services have expertise. However, we acknowledge that fire incidents within sheltered premises would in many cases be classed as an ‘accident’. Therefore we will look to review our current advice education materials and activities around fire prevention in sheltered premises.
Action Timeline Reviewing and updating relevant information materials about fire safety in sheltered premises on our website
Q4, 2024 Exploring where we can work with professionals within the sheltered accommodation sector to promote fire awareness
Q1, 2025 Developing a policy position on fire safety in sheltered accommodation
Q1, 2025
We appreciate you bringing this tragic incident to our attention, and we would like to work towards preventing future deaths and accidents related to fires in sheltered premises.
Again, I sincerely apologise for the delay in responding to you.