Lives Are At Stake, So Keep These Vital Fire Safety Practices In Mind

We all want to create the best working environment for our employees. It’s not just good business, it’s their right to a workspace that doesn’t negatively impact their life. The foremost concern of every employer regarding the workplace should be the health and safety of the people in it. One of the most common concerns you need to be considering is the risk of fire. Statistics say less than 25% of people know how to evacuate properly in a fire and less than 50% are confident in using a fire extinguisher. Even fewer know what equipment to use in the event of a fire. In this article, we’re going to look at how you teach proper fire safety in your workplace.

Identifying the risks

Almost every kind of workplace has fire risks and a great deal of them will go ignored. It’s up to you to teach the staff to recognize the kind of risks they might be facing. Paper is a common danger when kept near space heaters, coffee makers, copiers and other equipment. Older wiring should be replaced instead of mixed with new wiring installations. Overloaded circuits in extension cords and power strips is another incredibly common risk. Make sure your team is being trained to notice and stop these risks. Getting a work inspection can help you start eliminating the danger right away.

The right gear

We have all kinds of tech that help us deal with fires nowadays, most of which you are required to have by law. But having things like fire extinguishers isn’t enough. You also need to train people how to use them. 95% of fires are preventable with the right fire extinguisher use, but most people don’t know the difference between grades. Foam fire extinguishers, for instance, can be very dangerous when used on electrical fires. Whereas carbon dioxide is recommended for electrics, but not as good as foam on paper/wood/solid based fires. Of course, maintenance is as important as stocking and training. Without steps like fire extinguisher servicing, faulty equipment could let you down at a crucial moment.

When discovering a fire

Knowing which fire extinguisher to use is only a part of the knowledge your staff should have when a fire arises. Keeping escape routes clear and memorising them should be a common part of your employees’ safety training. Ensure employees know to leave dealing with the fire to those who have been trained to do so. Alerting others to the presence of a fire, evacuating and even what to do when trapped in a fire. These are topics you should cover step-by-step with your employees. Drill it into their heads so they’re kept as a safe as possible should a fire actually break out.

Minimize the risks as much as possible. Make sure you have the right equipment and know which equipment to use when. Then it’s about drilling often so people know exactly what to do in the event of a fire. This is how you keep your employees safe from the danger that is fire.