Managing Risks in Existing Buildings : An Overview of UK Risk-based Legislation for Commercial and Industrial Premises (FB 86)

EU health and safety legislation is based on the fundamental principle of assessing risk. This guide, aimed at building owners and/or users, looks at the issues to consider and the techniques and information sources available to improve the management of risks in commercial and industrial buildings.

This guide aims to provide a holistic overview of the issues to consider and the techniques and information sources available to improve the management of risks in buildings by the building owner, manager and/or user. This should realise benefits from reduced business losses, reduced insurance premiums, improvements in day-to-day operating costs, improvements in staff welfare (reduced sick absences) and reduced reactive mitigation measures after an incident. This report applies to all types of existing non-domestic buildings and premises in the UK from offices, warehouses and industrial/processing sites to transport hubs such as airports and railway stations. The guide covers those risks that can have a major impact on the building or site infrastructure and a significant proportion of its occupants. Due to the wide-ranging nature and use of buildings in the UK, there may be some types of risk that are not covered here, although the general principles for risk assessment will still apply.