Fire Prevention is a Hot Topic
Fire safety is an important workplace topic throughout the year. While death and injury are the greatest risks and the ones with which most people are familiar, fires also destroy jobs. In fact, many of the workplaces that are destroyed by fire are never rebuilt. Here are some general tips for a fire-safe workplace to share with your employees.
Ways to Prevent a Workplace Fire
Preventing fires is everyone’s job. We all need to be alert to anything that could cause a fire, and take responsibility to report any problem areas so they can be corrected. Here are some reminders about fire prevention:
1. Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by preventing access to exits and emergency equipment.
2. Place oily rags in a covered metal container. This waste must be properly disposed of on a regular basis.
3. Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
4. Report electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Never attempt electrical repairs unless you are qualified and authorized.
5. Maintain free access to all electrical control panels. Material or equipment stored in front of the panels would slow down the shutting down of power in an emergency situation.
6. Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
7. Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.
8. Help maintain building security to prevent arson fires. Lock up as instructed; report suspicious persons; and don’t leave combustible rubbish where it can be set afire outside the building.
9. Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.
10. Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials.
11. Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the company address by the telephone in your station for quick access if a fire were to start in your work area.
12. Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
Remind workers about the important of preparing for fires with this
What To Do in Case of Fire
It’s also important that you have a clear idea what to do in case a fire does occur.
- Know your company’s emergency procedures and your role in them.
- Sound the alarm so the building occupants can escape.
- Proceed to the designated assembly area outside the building.
- If you are trained to do so, you might be able to fight a small fire with a portable extinguisher. Choose the right extinguisher for the type of fire, and keep a clear escape route.
- As you leave, shut down machinery or process equipment according to your company’s emergency plan.
- Take fire drills seriously. They are organized to save lives and property in case of the real thing.
Conclusion
A workplace fire is an experience you don’t want to have. In addition to injury and loss of life, the outbreak of a fire can lead to job losses. Rebuilding a workplace after a fire is very expensive and many companies can’t afford to do it. Don’t let a fire threaten you, your co-workers and your job. Work safely to prevent fires, and know what to do if one occurs.
Thank you Safety Smart for this article
My husband wants to keep his office space as safe as possible for employees and customers, so he is looking for fire safety equipment that will be easy to store. You make a great point that you should make sure there are sprinklers and that the sprinklers are not blocked by anything. Also, I think it makes sense to teach all employees to use a fire extinguisher so that everyone is prepared in the event of a fire.
You’ve got great tips for fire safety in the workplace. I like how you said that it’s good to dispose waste properly. That goes for all companies, from restaurants to office buildings, I would think.
Thank you for the tip about making sure that you now your company’s emergency policy so you know how to react. Reading this article made me realize that I don really have my own fire emergency plan. I think I should invest in a fire extinguisher so that I can be safe in case of a fire.
Emergency Action Plans One of the most important tasks that an employee can do regarding fire safety is to have a good working knowledge of the organization’s emergency action plan (EAP). Every employee should be trained on the EAP at the beginning of their employment and as frequently as necessary to maintain familiarity with the procedures. At a minimum, the training should occur at least annually.
I appreciate you for making this list of tips for a fire-safe workplace. It caught my attention when you suggested to never block sprinklers or firefighting equipment because I’ve noticed that the place I work in has neither. My boss asked me for suggestions on how to enhance security, so the first thing I’ll look for is a fire safety company. Thanks for the information!
Fire is always dangerous, isn’t it?
We have to know how to control it properly otherwise we will face this alarming issue! it is also equally important to know what to do when this unwanted situation. your guide was very guide to follow. I will try to keep remember these tips. Thanks
It’s good to know that many fires start due to faulty wiring in electrical equipment. My boss has been telling me about how he wants to make sure that all of his employees are as safe as possible, and that includes from fires. I’ll share this information with him so that he can look into his options for getting a fire suppression system that can help him with this.
I like how you suggest storing chemicals safely to prevent any fires. My boss told me that he would like to make sure that our warehouse is safe because the employees at the warehouse handle flammable chemicals. I will recommend him to contact a fire prevention company to perform an inspection.
It’s interesting to know that decluttering your office will help you to prevent a fire. My husband and I are thinking about remodeling his office, and we are looking for advice about how to prevent accidents. I will let him know about your recommendations to prevent fire accidents.
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