Fires are terrifying, and could end up causing major damage to your workplace. Not only that, but they could also cause extreme injuries to employees. That’s why it’s important to identify fire hazards in the workplace and establish proper precautions. Read on to learn about some of the most common workplace fire hazards:
- Combustible materials: There are certain combustible materials that you can find in most workplaces, including paper, cardboard and other flammable objects. It’s essential that you store all these items in a safe place. These storage areas should be well ventilated and properly marked. Keep combustible materials from blocking doorways, and dispose of them when necessary or appropriate.
- Flammable liquids: Some businesses require the use of flammable liquids like gasoline, acetone, toluene, etc. If you work at one of these businesses, ensure all flammable materials are kept in a locked and well-ventilated cabinet for storage. This will help prevent fires from reaching these materials and possibly causing an explosion. It’s also important to properly mark all flammable liquids.
- Heavy dust: You may not have realized, but high amounts of dust can actually be flammable. If thick layers of dust have started to collect in your workspace, be sure to clean them up right away. This is especially true if the dust has started to accumulate near wires or electrical equipment. The best way to prevent a buildup of dust is by routinely cleaning your workspace. You might even consider hiring a reputable local cleaning service to help keep things under control.
- Power sockets: It’s easy to accidentally overload your wall sockets—in busy workplaces, this is one of the biggest business fire hazards. With this in mind, you should keep an eye on these sockets, as overloading them could easily cause a fire. Be sure to turn off any equipment that you aren’t using. Not only will this help prevent fires from overloaded sockets, but it will also help save money on your energy bill.
- Smoking: A lit cigarette butt could easily start a huge fire. That’s why it’s good to provide a designated smoking area for your employees. Make sure this smoking area is located far away from any fire hazards. Also, be sure all employees properly dispose of their cigarettes.
Creating a good fire safety plan
In order to keep yourself and your employees safe, it’s important to create a good fire safety plan. This means providing fire extinguishers in several spots throughout the workplace. Make sure everyone knows where these extinguishers are located. It’s also a good idea to invest in a top-quality fire alarm and sprinkler system for your workplace. A good fire alarm system will alert the nearest fire department in a matter of seconds. You may also want to have a risk assessment conducted for your workplace to ensure you’re doing everything you can to protect your people and property.
Keep an eye on all of the workplace fire hazards mentioned above and you’ll have an easier time protecting your business from fires. If you’re in need of fire safety training or would like to invest in high-quality fire safety equipment, contact Raider Fire Protection today. We offer fire extinguisher training, fire protection consulting and much more.