Health And Safety Signs

Keep the Workplace Fire Hazard Free

One of the things that can be a threat to any workplace is a fire accident. A fire accident can occur at anytime of the day, whether you are in the building or not. For this reason, it pays to be vigilant in matters like fire prevention because this can definitely save a life or two.

Identifying the common hazards in the workplace is the first step in preventing fire. If you and your co-employees know what the common fire hazards are, you can all do your part in eliminating them to ensure that your office become fire hazard free. Better yet, you can alert the office management so they can attend to this matter accordingly.

Listed below are some common examples of fire hazards in the workplace that you and your co-workers should watch out for:

• Inefficient management and training

The superiors are in charge not only in overseeing that the work goes smoothly in a day-to-day basis but also in matters like fire safety and the welfare of employees. It is therefore important to look around and see if there are signs of poor management. If there is lack in fire drills, evacuation procedures, fire safety training, and permit-to-work systems, chances are you are not working for a company that looks after the security of its employees. Gather your co-workers and bring this issue to the superiors.

• Lack of initiative among employees

It is not enough the superiors are doing their job, initiative and cooperation should also come from the employees. Lack of safety awareness, poor attitude, and poor cleanliness are just some of the things that may pose as fire hazards for the workplace.

Every employee should participate in fire drills, attend fire safety training, and be knowledgeable on the proper use of firefighting equipment such as fire blankets and fire extinguishers. It is also important that an employee keeps his surroundings clean since rubbishes can be combustible.

• Poor or no fire safety equipment

An office with no fire detection and warning systems, no firefighting tools, and inadequate fire safety facilities can be put at risk in a fire accident. An office should be fully equipped with state of the art fire safety devices and firefighting equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hoses, fire sprinklers, and fire ladders.

All these tools should be of high quality so that they would not fail the workers when a fire accident arises. Aside from the fire safety tools, a comprehensive means of escape should also be ensured. A blocked fire exit can result in disastrous consequences.

• Fire hazard substances

Chemicals, combustible materials, and flammable liquids are just some of the many fire hazards that may be present in the workplace. Make sure that such substances are located in a secure storage, far away from fire or heat sources.

• Unsafe electrical appliances

Electrical fire is one of the common causes of fire accidents in the workplace. Blown fuses, faulty wiring, and malfunction of electrical appliances can result in a fire. See to it that you and your co-employees check the appliances regularly. If there is any defect, have it repaired immediately.

Your workplace has become much like your second home. It is no wonder that you would want to exert an effort to ensure not only your safety but the welfare of the people you work with since they have become like a family too.