5 Ways To Prevent Fires In The Workplace

Fire safety in the workplace is a factor in which employers need to heavily invest in. It is essential for steps to be implemented to prevent fires in the workplace and it is everybody’s responsibility to follow them. Studies have shown that in 2013, fire and explosions accounted for 148 fatalities in the workplace, illustrating clearly that fire safety should be a priority for employers.

A positive statistic that has been reported is that from April 2014 – March 2015, local authorities attended around 154,700 fires, which is a marked decrease from the previous period. The whole nation needs to pull together and work towards a constant decrease on this figure. By following simple procedures in the workplace, this can happen!

We have put together some tips from knowledge gained from our years supplying fire safety labels into the industry.

Security

Security is one of the main components in fire prevention. 45% of serious fires in the workplace are due to arson, so can to some extent be prevented by rigorous security measures. In order for employers to tackle this astonishing figure, they must:

• Seek advice on which lighting and CCTV is most suitable to their business, as this can act as a deterrent to the criminal.

• Create a close down and lock up procedure, which needs to be followed every single day.

Designated Smoking Areas

Create a designated smoking area and ensure that all smoking materials are disposed of correctly. Ensure that the area is in the safest possible place on the property, for example, ensure that its a distance away from the building and have all cigarette ends placed in a metal bucket, filled with sand.

Report Electrical Hazards

Always report an electrical hazard, as fires can start from them. Don’t attempt any electrical repairs yourself unless you’re qualified to do so. Carry out routine PAT Testing to ensure your electrical appliances and items are in a safe working condition.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping on its own can be a large step towards preventing fires, tasks such as placing oily rags in a metal container, then disposing the waste properly on a regular basis can eliminate the risk of fires and the build up of flammable material.

Ensure that around electrical equipment there is no clutter and that all exits & passageways remain clear. Make sure that all machinery is all maintained and carry out regular checks to ensure that they’re not a fire risk.

Fire Safety Training

It is usually the director level of a business which is the person responsible for carrying out fire safety measures and training in the workplace. As part of this, it is essential to:

• Carry out fire risk assessments, inspect thoroughly and regularly, then inform staff of any dangers.

• Implement and maintain safety measures. It is surprising how many staff in workplaces don’t know how to use and where to locate fire extinguishers. One way in which you can resolve this issue is through the use of fire safety labels.

• It is important to plan for emergencies, you can tackle this by carrying out regular fire drills.

As part of this training, fire marshalls will learn how to judge, categorise and fight certain fires with blankets and extinguishers.

Introducing fire prevention practices is a task that employers should be taken seriously in the workplace. Small steps need to be implemented in order to collectively combat a huge issue which can cause severe repercussions in the workplace. 

Label Bar has an enormous range of Self Adhesive Fire Safety Labels, Stickers & Signs to choose from, covering all available fire safety requirements. Our Fire Safety Labels and Signs are designed to clearly indicate all relevant equipment in case of emergency. All our Labels, Stickers and Signs are manufactured from high quality industry materials which make them extremely durable and fully comply with the latest regulations.