Fires need three things to start – a source of ignition, a source of fuel and oxygen:
- sources of ignition include heaters, lighting, naked flames, electrical equipment, smokers’ materials, and anything else that can get very hot or cause sparks
- sources of fuel include wood, paper, plastic, rubber or foam, loose packaging materials, waste rubbish and furniture
- sources of oxygen include the air around us
What do I have to do?
Employers must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and keep it up to date. This shares the same approach as health and safety risk assessments and can be carried out either as part of an overall risk assessment or as a separate exercise.
Based on the findings of the assessment, employers need to ensure that adequate and appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimize the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.
To help prevent fire in the workplace, your risk assessment should identify what could cause a fire to start, ie sources of ignition (heat or sparks) and substances that burn, and the people who may be at risk.
Once you have identified the risks, you can take appropriate action to control them. Consider whether you can avoid them altogether or, if this is not possible, how you can reduce the risks and manage them. Also consider how you will protect people if there is a fire.
- Carry out a fire safety risk assessment
- Keep sources of ignition and flammable substances apart
- Avoid accidental fires
- Ensure good housekeeping at all times
- Consider how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start
- Have the correct fire-fighting equipment for putting a fire out quickly
- Keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times
- Ensure your workers receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drills
- Review and update your risk assessment regularly
Flammable & Explosive Substances
Work which includes the capacity, utilize or formation of synthetic substances, vapors, tidies and so forth that can promptly consume or detonate is dangerous. Every year individuals are harmed at work by combustible substances coincidentally bursting into flames or detonating.
This area does not cover explosives – our site has more definite data on explosives and comparable substances. It additionally has data on gas wellbeing.
What are the dangers?
Numerous substances found in the working environment can cause fires or blasts. These range from the self-evident, eg combustible synthetic substances, petroleum, cellulose acetones and welding gases, to the more subtle – motor oil, oil, bundling materials, tidies from wood, flour and sugar.
Conclusion
“Drop stop and roll” protocol doesnt apply to all situations. Smart thinking and procedure is what helps the most when it comes to fire safety and crisis avoidance. Keep calm and follow the best procedure provided by your company in the case of a fire emergency. Never try to be a hero and always keep your eye out on your surroundings when in danger.
If your safety supervisor is nearby during a crisis, always heed his orders to provide the best possible chances of avoiding fatalities or injuries. Your safety guy know what is best for you!
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