Responsible person
The person designated in fire safety legislation with overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with fire safety duties in a non-domestic premises. The concept is specific to the GB and Irish fire safety frameworks; OSHA uses employer as the duty holder.
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“responsible person”Exact equivalent“The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (SI 2005/1541) defines the responsible person as the employer, the person who has control of the premises, or the owner. The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment, implement fire safety measures, maintain fire detection systems, and provide staff training.”
Irish HSA
“responsible person”Close equivalentThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 and the Fire Services Acts impose fire safety duties on persons having control of a workplace. The term responsible person is used in the context of fire safety in Irish regulations in a manner analogous to the GB definition, with the employer or person in control carrying fire safety duties.
US OSHA
“responsible person”No equivalentNo equivalent in this jurisdiction.
Note: Responsible person is also used in food safety and other regulatory contexts. This entry covers the fire safety meaning only.
Practitioner note: In multi-occupied premises there can be more than one responsible person, with a duty to cooperate between them. Identify them in writing.