Safety from fire hazards is a major concern for every size and type of workplace. A fire hazard in the workplace can disrupt the entire business and impact the lives of everybody on the work floor. However, a proactive attitude towards ensuring workplace safety can help prevent disastrous fire hazards.
These seven simple techniques can help you safeguard your workplace from fire hazards.
1. Identify Potential Threats
The first and simplest of all techniques is identifying potential threats which can lead to fire hazards in your workplace. Some of the common spots include storage areas, equipment which can be sources of ignition or excessive gas disposal, circuit boxes etc.
Make a list of these areas and ensure that they are maintained well and the space surrounding them is always clean. If anything needs to be repaired, get it done immediately. Electrical equipment, heaters, engines etc., are some of the common sources of ignition. Ensure that they are always used as per the manufacturer’s instructions and all the related safety precautions are followed.
2. Check Appliance Rating
Electrical appliances for household use and office use are different. When these appliances are tested, they are tested under the conditions in which they are supposed to be used. The usage of these appliances is more continual and frequent in a workplace as compared to in a home.
If these appliances are switched, i.e. if household appliances and tools are used in a workplace, it can lead to their premature wear, overheating and even short circuit in severe conditions. This can lead to a fire hazard. Hence, always check the rating of such appliances before purchasing so as to determine their correct usage type.
3. Ensure Flawless Wiring
Faulty wiring is a fire hazard waiting to happen. When an appliance is plugged into a wall socket, its wiring essentially becomes an extension of the circuit. If there are any problems in the wiring, it becomes the problem of the circuit. Short circuits can occur in plugs, power cords or inside an appliance. It is important to get short circuit protection for all the appliances used in your workplace.
4. Remove Clutter
A workplace should be free from any clutter to avoid any kind of hazards. Flammable materials such as cardboard boxes and papers should especially be immediately disposed responsibly. Waste materials can also clutter and block exits. This could make escaping difficult in case of a fire. Hence, a clean and clutter free workplace is a primary requirement for preventing any hazards.
5. Don’t Leave Hot Work Unattended
Hot work such as cutting, welding and brazing should never be left unattended. A surprisingly high number of fire hazards occur due to unattended hot work. Strict protocol for usage and handling of hot work should be established. Even the simplest of precautionary measures should be written down and everyone involved in hot work should be made aware of them.
6. Perform Periodical Maintenance of Safety Devices
All your fire protection equipment should be serviced regularly. This ensures that in case of a fire emergency, these safety devices are readily available for use. Equipment such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, control panels etc., should be well-maintained and placed in easily visible and accessible places.
7. Have a Tried and Tested Evacuation Plan Ready
It’s important to have evacuation plans ready for reducing damage in case of hazards. These plans should include emergency contact help numbers, plan of building with exits clearly marked and other instructions important for mitigating damage in case of fire accidents.
Even simple precautionary steps can go a long way in preventing fire hazards, saving lives and making workplace fire-proof. The management should integrate these precautionary measures in their daily operations to reduce the incidences of fire hazards in their workplace.
Author Bio: Jeson Pitt works with the marketing department of D & F Liquidators in Hayward, CA and regularly writes to share his knowledge while enlightening people about electrical products and solving their electrical dilemmas. He's got the industry insights that you can count on along with years of experience in the field. Jeson lives in Hayward, CA and loves to explore different cuisines that the food trucks in the Bay area have to offer.
