Blaze probe told of ‘deficiencies’ in safety report

Thursday 18 February 2010

Blaze probe told of ‘deficiencies’ in safety report

Evacuation plans were missed out of a safety report at a care home where 14 elderly residents died in a fire, an inquiry heard.

Health and safety consultant James Reid admitted “serious failings” in the research and composition of his report, which warned of a “high risk” fire hazard a year before the incident at Rosepark Care Home in Uddingston.

The “worst-case scenario” of an overnight blaze was not considered by the inspector, a fire-safety specialist employed by the home’s owners, the Balmer family, and he owned up to “serious shortcomings with things that should have been documented but were not”. A computerised checklist of people at risk from a fire counted staff and visitors, but not the elderly residents. The Fatal Accident Inquiry in Motherwell heard that favourable assessment of the home’s emergency procedures was based on verbal questioning of Alan Balmer, and was not supported by any documentation. A policy document produced in 2002 included the statement: “We will develop a control system which is designed to provide speedy recognition and resolution of health and safety problems.” Mr Reid said that had he seen this -- with its implication the control system had not yet have been developed -- he’d have taken issue with it at his 2003 inspection. He added tha thad he been aware corridor fire doors were left open overnight, he’d not have given pass marks in the relevant sections of his inspection. Questioned by advocate-depute James Wolffe QC, Mr Reid said he “grudgingly accepted” the Balmers’ decision to honour residents’ wishes, though he insisted he had raised “concerns” about leaving doors open. He also said he would have advised staff to call 999 in the event of an alarm, before investigating to check that there was a real fire. Paul McBride QC, acting for the Balmers, had Mr Reid confirm that there were “serious deficiencies” in the risk assessment. The inquiry into the deaths in January 2004 continues today.

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