No matter the size of your business, fire is one of the major causes of business losses, property damage, and employee casualties. Even though most business owners have the “It won’t happen to us” mentality, fire hazards are unpredictable. According to a report by the NFPA, fire departments reported a structure fire every 65 seconds, an injury from a structure fire every 41 minutes, and a death due to a structure fire every 2 hours and 54 minutes. Some common causes of these fires include electrical hazards, malfunctioning equipment and machinery, hot work, flammable gases and liquid, and combustible dust.
This is precisely why you need to take preventive fire hazard measures to create a safe work environment for everyone. Here is a complete preventing fire and safety hazards in the workplace guide to help you out. Follow the below-mentioned fire hazard prevention tips and tricks to minimize the risk of a sudden fire in your commercial establishment.
1. Take Out the Trash
Compared to a clean and well-maintained workplace, an untidy commercial establishment is more prone to fire hazards. While organized mess is a thing for many millennials, clutter around your office will increase the fire threat in your commercial establishment. In case of a fire, clutter can also cause difficulty in evacuation, increasing the risk of injuries and casualties because of a fire. Therefore, ensure that the stairs, corridors, and offices of your commercial establishment are clean and that everything is organized and stored safely.
Pro-Tip: Strategically place metal containers around the office and instruct your employees to discard hazardous waste into them.
2. Keep the Fire Equipment in an Accessible Spot
From the control panels to the fire extinguishers, make sure that all fire safety equipment is easy to access. Moreover, ensure that the fire alarms or fire sprinklers aren’t blocked due to paint, debris, or dust. Failure to do so will only make it difficult for you to shut down the electric system and alert your employees in an emergency.
3. Ensure Regular Maintenance
Keeping electrical items and machinery in excellent working condition plays a significant role in preventing fire and safety hazards in the workplace. Regular maintenance of electric appliances reduces the possibility of unprotected sparks, overheating, and short circuits. In case of a worn-out wire or an electric breakdown, hire a reliable technician for the job, and don’t let your employees experiment.
4. Take Precautionary Fire Safety Measures
Regardless of how well-equipped your commercial establishment is, fire hazard safety measures cannot be effectively implemented if your employees aren’t trained. Therefore, organize workshops to teach your employees what to do in case of a fire emergency. Teach them everything from raising the alarm to contacting the fire wardens and evacuating the building. Training your staff will make your workplace safer for the employees, clients, and stakeholders. You can also hold regular fire drills to evaluate how the employees will react in a fire.
5. Take Precautions When Storing or Handling Chemical-Based Equipment
If your business requires the usage of chemical-based substances, we recommend storing and handling them with proper care. Most chemical-based substances are flammable, which makes them at high risk of catching or igniting a fire. Therefore, remember to read the instructions for the chemical-based compounds and place them in the desired temperature-controlled environment, away from the employees. Also, make sure that the facility is equipped with fire extinguishers and has no-flame signs all around.
6. Adhere to the NFPA and OSHA Guidelines
Both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have standardized fire safety regulations in order to minimize the risk of fire hazards in a commercial establishment and to help businesses grow. Make sure that your company meets all of the OSHA and NFPA requirements and follows the guidelines and rules to the tee.
7. Always Have an Emergency Plan
As stated earlier, fire hazards are unpredictable. You might be peacefully working in your office for one moment, and the next second, everything you have worked for is up in flames. Having a fire emergency and evacuation plan prepares you for a dangerous situation and prevents further damage to the property. Make sure your team knows what to do in case of a fire and whom to call.
8. Have a Designated Smoking Area
According to research, 19.6% of employees smoke, and the number is only increasing. But did you know that smoking can be a potential fire hazard? Having a designated smoking area is one of the most effective tips when it comes to preventing fire and safety hazards in the workplace. This will reduce the risk of a potential fire and keep your employees happy, as they will have a safe space to smoke freely. Furthermore, also provide ashtrays and dustbins to ensure that people properly extinguish and dispose of the cigarettes.
9. Invest in Building Security
Arson is the most common cause of building fires. Therefore, it is essential to hire a reliable security company to look after your commercial establishment. Furthermore, the employees and cleaning staff should know how to lock up the workplace before leaving at night and should report any suspicious findings or behavior of people to the management.
Pro-Tip: Appoint a fire warden for your office. The fire warden will be responsible for regularly inspecting the building for fire hazards and coordinating evacuation in case of a fire.
Preventing Fire and Safety Hazards in the Workplace | Dos and Don’ts
- Do activate the fire alarm.
- Do use the fire extinguisher.
- Do switch off all the electrical equipment.
- Do not use the windows as an escape route.
- Do not open doors that are too hot.
- Do not hide in the building from the hire.
Get Fire and Life Safety Protection from Facilities USA
A fire hazard is no less than a nightmare for business owners. Within a few minutes, the flames can burn everything that you have ever worked for to the ground, forcing you to start again from point zero. A fire isn’t only dangerous for your business but can also be life-threatening to your employees and everyone else in the building. Therefore, it is your responsibility to adhere to the above-mentioned preventing fire and safety hazards in the workplace guidelines.
Founded in 1991, Facilities USA has been providing fire protection services to small-scale and large multinational companies across the United States. Our highly experienced, detail-oriented, and trained fire protection specialists are committed to ensuring that your business stays safe from fire hazards. Our wide range of fire protection services includes emergency light testing, fire extinguisher inspections, fire sprinkler systems, and fire alarm system inspection, repair, and maintenance. So, what are you waiting for? Schedule a fire protection inspection today!
