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HOW FIRE-SAFE ARE YOUR PREMISES?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fires and explosions accounted for nearly one million lost-time injuries in 2010 and three percent of workplace fatalities in 2011. The checklists in this article can help you start a fire safety program and identify potential problem areas.
Prevention. The best way to fight fire is to prevent it. Safety officers' top priority should be checking the workplace for fire hazards — and educating workers on how to prevent them. • Check extension cords. Minimize their use, avoid plugging them together and never allow them to run under carpets or anywhere they can be pinched under or behind furniture. Avoid overloading electrical sockets. • Keep electrical appliances away from anything flammable. Turn them off at the end of each day, particularly appliances in the kitchen or break room. • Keep exits, stairways and storage areas clear of waste paper, empty boxes and other fire hazards. If recycling or garbage receptacles are overflowing, have your waste removal agency make a collection. • Designate smoking areas away from combustible items. Where smoking is permitted, provide non-combustible receptacles for cigarette ends, separate from waste containers. • Prevent arson, the largest single cause of fires in general office buildings. Remove combustible materials that could help vandals set fires and other hazards, such as dry vegetation surrounding the property. Detection. Statistics show that when fires break out at sites with no fire detection systems, it takes an average of 27 minutes from the start of the fire for firefighters to arrive on the scene. Functioning detection systems reduce that lag to less than 10 minutes, according to CPI Security, a maker of fire detection equipment. That gap often means the difference between a raging inferno that can destroy lives and property and a minor flame-burst that is little more than an inconvenience. The type of detection system you need depends on your facility and the hazards there. Consult with reputable firms to make sure you have the best system, designed specifically for your facility and its location.
Response. As an employer, your primary responsibility is to protect your employees and others on the premises. A clear plan of action will ensure you and your employees know what to do in case of fire. Many local fire departments will be happy to offer assessments, advice and training. To create your fire response plan, ask yourself a few questions. What fire and life safety systems are present? Include fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, voice alarm systems, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, manual pull alarms and fire escapes and fire doors. Next, sketch a plan for each floor or building. Indicate the location of stairs, fire exits, manual pull alarm stations and extinguishing equipment. Post the floor plan(s) throughout the facility and assign a fire marshal to oversee safety and evacuation. Consider building occupants: your employees and visitors. What language do they speak? Post relevant signs and instructions in those languages. Train employees in the basics of fire safety and evacuation. Conduct fire drills for all shifts and employees. How long does it take to clear the building? Closely monitor the drills to see that the evacuation goes smoothly and to fix any problems. For more information on fire safety, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program department of Jenkins Insurance Services at (877) 860-7378. |
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