Whether you work in a large factory or a tiny office, fire safety at work is something that you should never overlook. Each workplace has a different set of fire risks and hazards, some more dangerous than others. As such, your business should have a customized fire prevention plan in place, designed to protect your staff from harm’s way.
Every employee in your company should know how to prevent fires and react in a fire emergency. In addition, your fire prevention plan and fire safety equipment should be kept up to date. If your fire safety knowledge is a little rusty, here are seven steps to improve your safety measures at work:
1. Identify the fire risks of your workplace
Every workplace has some fire risks. If you want to prevent them, you first need to be aware of what these hazards are. The first thing you should do is identify the different risks.
Some examples of fire risks include cooking appliances, heating appliances, faulty electrical wiring, and overloaded power strips. Working with, or simply storing flammable chemicals also comes with high risks of fire. Assess your workplace’s fire risks, and act to eliminate as many of them as you can.
2. Take good care of your fire safety equipment
Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers should be present on every floor of the building. All smoke detectors should be tested regularly, and their batteries should be replaced once a year. As for fire extinguishers, everyone needs to be trained on how to use them properly.
Fire escapes and sprinkler systems should not be obstructed by anything, so they can be used promptly if ever they are needed. Every workplace needs to be equipped with the right type of fire safety equipment, and this equipment needs to be maintained properly so it can serve its purpose.
3. Keep your workplace clean and tidy
No matter which types of fire risks are present in your workplace, one of the most important things you can do is keeping the facilities clean and tidy.
If rooms and hallways are cluttered when a fire starts, it could make all the difference between a small threat and a catastrophe. Get rid of any cardboard boxes and stacks of paper documents that are not necessary, and organize the ones you have to keep properly. Dispose of any oily rags.
Make sure that exits and emergency exits are free of clutter. Plus, electrical control panels and fire safety equipment are accessible at all times.
4. Maintain your electrical equipment
Electrical fires are common, but they can be prevented. Faulty electrical wiring should be repaired by a professional as quickly as possible. Any electrical equipment you use, whether it’s a toaster in your workplace’s break room or some power tools, should be inspected regularly.
Defective electrical equipment should not be used. Instead, they need to be repaired or replaced promptly. As for power strips, be sure not to overload them. Keep in mind that all it takes to start a fire is a spark, some oxygen, and some flammable materials or substance.
5. Store any flammable products properly
Just because you don’t work in a factory or warehouse doesn’t mean no flammable chemicals are present in your work area. Cleaning supplies and printing supplies, for example, have to be kept away from heat and ignition sources.
Flammable materials should be stored in a well-ventilated area, away from exits. Keep them away from potential sources of ignition such as electrical and heating equipment. Of course, no one should ever be allowed to smoke near flammable substances or materials. Simply putting a few rules in place is a good improvement on fire safety procedures.
6. Train employees on fire safety
New employees, just like the ones who have been there for some time, all need to be properly trained on fire safety. This involves ensuring they know how to prevent fires and where they should go if a fire occurs.
Have a clear procedure in place and teach it to everyone. It could be a good idea to nominate at least one fire warden responsible for keeping everyone updated on the workplace’s fire prevention plan.
7. Hold regular fire drills
Finally, you should hold regular fire drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of a fire. If anyone has questions or concerns after a fire drill, it’s important to take these seriously and to review the plan until it fully makes sense for everyone.
On top of holding regular fire drills, remember to regularly maintain or replace your fire safety equipment and update your fire safety training. Your safety plan can be perfected by assessing the risks and taking measures to prevent fires. By ensuring everyone knows what to do in case of a fire emergency, you will be better equipped to protect your team and workplace.
