10 Simple Fire Prevention Strategies

10 Simple Fire Prevention Strategies

Tuesday, December 01, 2009 3:00 AM 
by Chris Kilbourne

We’ve boiled basic workplace fire prevention down to 10 essential elements. They are:

1. Inspect all areas of your workplace for fire hazards on a regular basis. Pay particular attention to areas where fires are most likely to occur. More than half of industrial fires occur in everyday work areas. Another large percentage occurs in storage areas.

2. Educate employees about fire hazards. Use bulletin boards, memos, and safety meetings to distribute fire prevention information. Update your training whenever new equipment or processes introduce new hazards.

3. Make sure you have the right fire extinguishers for the fire hazards in your workplace. Have maintenance check extinguishers all over your facility regularly to make sure they are properly charged. And remember, OSHA says that if you expect employees to use extinguishers in the event of a fire, you have to train them to handle an extinguisher effectively.

4. Store materials safely. Keep storage areas well ventilated and free of ignition sources. Be particularly careful with flammables.

5. Dispose of wastes promptly and correctly. Don't allow combustible waste materials to build up. Consider the ease of ignition when disposing of other materials as well. For example, oily rags should be disposed of in closed metal containers.

6. Emphasize good housekeeping. All work areas should be clean and free of fire hazards.

7. Make sure ventilation systems operate effectively to remove flammable vapors, gases, and combustible dust from the air.

8. Service machines regularly. Set up an adequate maintenance schedule, and make sure employees follow it.

9. Pay careful attention to electrical safety. Check electrical circuits, outlets, wires, and plugs regularly so that an electrical problem does not start a fire. If you allow employees to use coffeemakers, fans, and other appliances, make sure they are used safely and turned off at the end of the shift.

10. Enforce fire safety rules. Make sure employees obey your no smoking policy and other fire safety rules. Be prepared to discipline rule breakers.