Life Safety & Security January 2021

How to Prevent Fires from
Starting in the Workplace
Article Update
a fire broke out at the London-based food manufacturer UK Snacks Ltd.
Most of their warehouse was destroyed. 120 firefighters and 20
engines responded to the blaze and took several hours to extinguish it.
Unfortunately, with around 22,000 fires at non-residential properties
breaking out annually, UK Snacks Ltd are not alone.
When fires break out in workplaces, the losses can be huge. Property
damage is the most common consequence, leading to loss of earnings,
stock and equipment. Once a building has fire damage, it can be a
significant amount of time before it's safe to work in it again. The worst
cases can cause severe injuries and even deaths; in the 2013-2014
period, 17 fatalities were recorded as a result of fires that started in nonresidential
buildings.
Thankfully, there's plenty that can be done to minimise the risk of a fire
breaking out in your workplace.
Good Housekeeping
Where possible, clutter should be kept to a minimum. This is
particularly true of materials that can become fuel for a fire such as
paper, card or flammable substances. Where these need to be stored
for an extended period of time, they need to be kept away from anything
that could cause a spark and ignite them.
Kitchen areas require particular attention. Just as in the main working
areas, kitchens need to be kept clean and clear from obstructions that
might prevent workers leaving promptly in case of an emergency.
Appliances such as microwaves should be cleaned regularly and kept
to a good standard of maintenance, just as computer equipment and
factory machinery should be.
Routes to fire exits should always be kept clear.
Knowing Fire Safety Rules
It's every worker's responsibility to do all they can to prevent fires. Good
fire safety training helps you to identify fire risks and what to do if the
worst case scenario happens and a fire breaks out.
Every employee should make sure they're aware of their company's
plan for the evacuation of the premises in the event of a fire.
Electrical Safety
Most workplace fires are down to electrical faults or unsafe wiring. If
you notice an electrical fault or wiring that appears to be damaged, it's
important to report it immediately so it can be repaired or replaced
before it causes a problem. All electrical equipment needs to be
inspected regularly to make sure it's still safe and in good working order.
Employers should also ensure that their workers are fully trained to use
all equipment they need to perform their jobs. Misuse of equipment –
ranging from wrongly operating heavy machinery to overloading
sockets – is the cause of many fires each year.
Create a Smokers' Area
Smoking is a potentially dangerous hazard in the workplace. In 2013-
2014, over a third of deaths in workplace fires were linked to smokers'
paraphernalia, including cigarettes that were not properly put out.
The risk can be reduced by the introduction of designated smokers'
areas. It's important these are away from flammable materials and
contain equipment for safely disposing of finished cigarettes.
Security
Unfortunately, it's not only mistakes that businesses need to protect
themselves from when it comes to fire safety. Arson is one of the most
deadly fire threats facing businesses, causing up to 45% of fire deaths
in workplaces. It is also one of the hardest to control, but there are steps
employers can take to lessen the risk.
Employing security personnel or installing a CCTV system may be
appropriate in some cases. Lighting and fencing are solutions that can
help by securing the premises.
For employees, one of the most effective ways to protect against arson
is by following your company's security protocol. Be on the alert for
anyone acting suspiciously around the building, always make sure you
don't accidentally allow an unfamiliar person access to your workplace
and make sure everything is properly secure if you're the last to leave at
the end of the work day.
Fire safety doesn't need to be complicated. Many of these suggestions
are common sense, but it is easy to forget some of them when there are
other priorities competing for your attention. However, by training
appropriately and keeping fire safety in mind, the risk of your workplace
becoming a fire statistic can be greatly reduced.
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