Shropshire companies with just a small number of staff may not need to hold regular fire drills - as long as they follow strict rules.

Matt Reeves, who leads the health and safety team at Henshalls Insurance Brokers in Newport and Shrewsbury, said many companies believed they had no option but to hold the evacuation drills.

"But some companies may feel that if they have only a handful of employees the drills seem like a waste of valuable time.

"Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, employers are required to provide instruction and training for employees and establish emergency procedures. There is no specific mention of practice fire evacuation drills, but it is included in government guidance.

"Clearly there are premises and circumstances where fire drills may be truly unnecessary, and the guidelines say fire arrangements should take into account the size of the company and the activities taking place."

But Matt warned that employers should think very carefully before deciding that drills were unnecessary for their business.

"Is your safety procedure really as obvious as you think? How will people who may have less experience and anyone with language difficulties cope with an evacuation?

"And are you sure your staff will close doors and windows before leaving, and will check that all parts of the building are clear? Are all your fire exits used regularly and are all your staff familiar with how they operate?"

Matt said businesses may also need to practise closing off fuel supplies or stopping machinery, and look at how staff who need assistance to leave the building will be evacuated.

"Bear in mind that in most situations, businesses will need to carry out a drill at least once a year - the kind of premises where drills are not required at all will be very few and far between.

"Make the most of the drill when it takes place and try out different scenarios to check just how well your procedures work. Why not set up an obstruction on one of the exit routes or have key staff absent to see how everyone adapts? 

"You should also hold a review after the drill to check how quickly everyone assembled, and whether all staff coped well or had any difficulties."