Companies must identify fire hazards, develop and enforce safety policies, create action plans, maintain equipment, and demonstrate commitment to fire safety. Proper maintenance of equipment and prevention of risks are crucial.
To ensure fire safety in the workplace, companies must first identify their specific fire hazards. Then they must develop workplace fire safety policies that must be strictly enforced. Action plans should also be developed and made available to employees. Workplace fire safety equipment should be regularly checked and maintained. Also, if items such as fire extinguishers reach the end of their useful life, they will need to be replaced.
Safety starts with recognizing a risk. Companies must take the initiative to determine what their top risk factors are. In a restaurant, it can be easy to determine that using stoves and oil poses a risk. In the nursery, however, the threats may not be as clear-cut, but there can indeed be major risks, such as those posed by workers who smoke and throw cigarette butts near dry foliage. Once these factors are identified, preventive measures must be established.
Every business should also have an action plan. The difference between the two is that the policy aims to prevent fire and the action plan determines what should be done in the event of a fire. The action plan should include details such as who has responsibility for trying to put out the fire and which exits are to be used by which personnel. Employees should have access to these documents, but it is also wise to ensure they are reviewed periodically.
A company must demonstrate its commitment to fire safety in the workplace. To this end, all employees must adhere to the fire safety policy. Disciplinary action must be taken against employees who repeatedly violate safety standards.
As there are often a variety of electrical devices in use in offices while workers are nearby, close attention needs to be paid to ensure these items are safely placed and operated. Computers, for example, should have enough space so that heat buildup is not a problem. Cords should not be bundled or routed under rugs or equipment to keep them out of sight, and outlets should not be overloaded.
Combustible dust is a particularly threatening problem in industrial environments. Companies must dedicate the necessary effort and invest in resources to reduce the amount of dust emitted during manufacturing. Dust collection systems must be maintained in good working order and filters must be changed as needed. Any dust that escapes should be cleaned regularly.
Proper maintenance of fire safety equipment in the workplace must be strictly maintained. Smoke detectors should be checked regularly and their batteries replaced as needed. Alarms on emergency exits and sprinkler systems should be professionally tested at recommended intervals. Fire extinguishers must be discarded and replaced at the end of their useful life. It is also imperative to ensure that fire safety equipment in the workplace is never obstructed.
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