Introduction to Basic Manufacturing Processes and ... - always yours

Industrial Safety 47
9. Power supply should be switched off always during maintenance work. Only
authorized person should be allowed to switch on and off ’ the power supply.
10. One should avoid touching metal case of any electrical apparatus when it is in
operation.
11. Proper type of wiring should always be provided in all locations.
12. Periodical inspection should be done to detect the damages.
13. Always avoid overloading on any single point.
14. Good standards of safety items must be maintained as per norms.
3.12 FIRE PREVENTION
Accidents due to fire cause enormous damage to properties, manpower and materials. It can
be noted that the origin of fire is combustion. The main factors for combustions are presence
of oxygen, availability of combustible materials and rise of temperature to the ignition point
for the material. The cause of fire accidents may be electric-short circuit, carelessness and
ignorance, spontaneous combustion, riots and rivalry etc. Prevention of the fire involves
preventing spreading of fire by covering it with incombustible material, rescuing the affected
persons from the spot, cooling ignition point of combustible items, taking suitable precautions
and educating the all staff and workers about the possible hazards out of the consumables that
spread fires, color coding of pressure vessel containing combustible fluids, maintaining fire
extinguisher and water points in shop floor for proper precaution in case fire hazard. In case
of outbreak of fire, immediate, corrective action is very much essential in order to provide
the best possible chance of extinguishing the fire as quickly as possible, thus reducing danger
to life and other damages to the minimum possible extent. As soon as fire breaks out, the
fire alarm must be raised to alert all. All employees must be fire conscious and must know
the fire drill, position of the nearest fire point and the nearest telephone or fire alarm. Near
to equipments such as blow lamps and welding torches, which may lead to fire hazards, a
suitable fire-extinguisher should be placed well within the easy reach of every one. Fire drills
and fire orders should be displayed on all departmental notice boards and at all fire points.
All employees must make themselves familiar with these orders. Fire exits and the escape
routes should be clearly marked and kept free from all kinds of obstructions. It is also very
important to stop fighting the fire and leave the area as soon as the fire appears to be beyond
control or escape route is threatened by fire or smoke obscures or threatens to obscure the
escape route. As far as possible, fire-extinguishers should be supported by brackets firmly
fixed to the wall at a convenient height at all fire points. There should be an instruction plate
for display along each side of an extinguisher, which gives details of operation and the type
of fire for which the particular extinguisher is suitable.
The following precautions should be taken for fire prevention:
1. The maximum number of workers and officers should be trained with fire fighting
systems and equipments.
2. Keep all flammable liquids in closed containers or in safe cylinders.
3. Effective fire warning signals.
4. All doors should be opened towards outside the workroom as means of escape in
case of fire.
5. The doors and windows to be used as exit in case of fire should be easily located.
These should be marked with red letters of adequate size.