Workplace Fire Safety – 5 Rules to Follow

Fire hazards and injuries still remain a big challenge in the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 1,342,000 fires were reported in the country in 2016. The report also reveals that 3,390 civilian died due to these fires, while 14,650 civilian were injured. These fires caused a property damage of around $10.6 billion. While home structure fire is listed as number one, workplace fire too is a major concern in the country.

Needless to say, workplace fires are catastrophic for businesses, irrespective of their location, size, or status. In fact, almost 70,000-80,000 workplaces in the U.S. experience a serious fire each year. Reports further indicate that around 200 employees die each year due to these fires, while another 5000 end up injured. Workplace fires also account for over $2 Billion property losses per year. Although almost all offices may contain fire hazards, some professions, like those exposed to open flames or involve volatile chemicals, pose a greater fire threat.

However, many reports suggest that majority of these fires result from factors commonly associated with human behaviour and only a small percentage of workplace fires occur because of catastrophic failures of electronic equipment. You can, therefore, reduce the likelihood of a workplace fire by being proactive and having a proper fire prevention plan and program in place.

1. Take Proper Safety Measures

As an employer, it is your duty to ensure the safety of your employees. In fact, there are certain legal requirement that you need to follow in this respect. For example, it is essential to install fire detection systems at your workplace. You can use automatic fire alarms and/or manual ones, but be sure to teach your employees to operate them in case of the latter.

In fact, there are many such requirements that you need to follow. Talk to your employment attorney to know more about your legal and ethical responsibilities, to ensure the safety of your employees against fire hazards.

In addition, follow these general safety measures to establish a fire prevention program in your workplace:

• Keep all your heat-producing equipment away from materials that could easily catch fire.
• Make sure the electrical cords in your workplace are in good condition. Damaged and exposed wires should be replaced or repaired immediately.
• Avoid storing flammable materials where there are building or other structure. The best practice is not to store them within 10 feet of a structure.
• If you need to dispose combustible refuse, use only government approved containers. Also, always replace the lid.
• Make sure your raw/waste materials should not block or cover the firefighting equipment’s access.
• Make sure the power outlets are not overloaded.
• Use stable piles to stack and pile your materials.
• Never store any unnecessary combustible materials anywhere in your work area. Dispose them off regularly.
• When storing, transporting, or handling combustible and flammable liquid, always use government approved containers and tanks.
• Keep the grass and weeds near your workplace under control and clean-up the entire work site periodically.
• When performing welding or other operations that present fire hazards, it is advisable to perform evaluation procedures in advance.
• Designate proper smoking areas for employees away from building entrances.

2. Create Fire Exit Plans

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires every workplace building to have a minimum of two fire exits. And they should not be in close proximity to one another. In case of a fire, your employees and clients must have a way to get out of the building and for this, you need to have clear exit pathways, lighted exit signs and unlocked exit doors etc. in the workplace.

One of the best practices is to install emergency lighting in all emergency routes and exits. Have proper lighting in each corridor, door, staircase, floor levels, change of direction, alarms, and fire-fighting equipment.

Also, evaluate your fire safety plan periodically, post diagrams of the building on notice boards and common areas and mark quickest exit routes. Make sure each employee is aware of the exit route closest to his/her work space. In addition, inform them about other alternative routes, in case their preferred exit is blocked.

3. Perform Fire Drills and Trainings

At regular intervals, it is advisable to practice fire drills so that the employees stay informed and are aware of the evacuation routes. In addition, provide them written emergency action plans to ensure that they know your company’s fire emergency procedures.

These days, it is a common practice to train employees in fire safety, which includes the use of fire extinguishers apart from educating them on evacuation routes. Provide additional safety training to employees working with volatile and inflammable chemicals.

4. Have Portable Fire Extinguishers in Place

According to OSHA, all workplaces must have proper fire extinguishers located in visible and accessible places. Based on the type of fires that a workplace is supposedly to encounter, OSHA requires employers to supply the right kind of extinguishers.

For example, OSHA requires every employee to have access to a Class A fire extinguisher within 75 feet of his/her workspace. These type of extinguishers are used to put out burning paper, cloth, wood, and other ordinary materials. A Class B extinguisher, on the other hand, is required for burning of flammable liquids like solvents and gasoline. For businesses involving such substances, it is essential to have a Class B extinguisher within 50 feet of the flammable materials. Finally, you need to have a Class C extinguisher to put out an electrical fire.

5. Install a Fire Suppression System

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has made it mandatory for most workplaces to have fire suppression systems, like automatic sprinkler systems. These systems automatically starts spraying water as well as sound the alarm as they detect a fire. This help not only in suppressing and controlling the fire but also in alerting the authorities.

Conclusion

So what happens when you fail to follow these fire safety rules? Of course, you won’t be immediately punished for ignoring these laws, but if someone is killed or injured in a workplace fire due to your negligence, you are likely to be held liable. You will not only have to compensate but are likely to face court proceedings and legal consequences, a risk not really worth taking. So make sure your workplace follows the OSHA and NFPA guidelines to ensure the safety of your employees.

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