Promoting Fire Safety in the Workplace

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

Most of us are familiar with home fire safety. Habitually testing our fire alarms, replacing their batteries, and being conscious of the location of the fire extinguisher are drilled into our memory. What may not be so habitual, however, is workplace fire safety. Knowing the instigators of fires in addition to what to do and where to go in the event of a fire emergency are essential skills to have in order to best protect your office from a disastrous fire.

Before all else, taking precautions can make a world of difference in the safety of your workplace. Computers, telephones, and other electrical appliances should be inspected for damage, as faulty wiring can very easily catch fire. Immediately eliminating and replacing all damaged electrical equipment in conjunction with educating employees on how to correctly use electrical appliances can decrease the risk of a fire igniting in the first place. Smoke alarms should also be present in every workplace, as they warn employees of a fire as soon as one is detected. In order to ensure that they are always functioning properly, test the alarms, replace their batteries, and make sure that the alarms can be heard by everyone, no matter their location in the office.

Creating an emergency escape plan that can be followed by employees during a fire is extremely valuable. The plan should be explained in detail, covering which exits can be used and pointing out an exact meeting place outside of the building. With a thorough understanding of the emergency plan before disaster strikes, workers will be able to exit the office as quickly and efficiently as possible in a real emergency. Teaching employees about office fire safety can also help to prevent fires. Prior to a fire, employees should be taught to look for fire hazards while going about their daily routine, use all electrical equipment carefully, and alert others when a fire hazard is spotted. Finally, employees should also know where the fire extinguisher is located in the office in addition to understanding how to operate it.

Protecting your office from a destructive fire can be made attainable by taking safety precautions and ensuring that your employees understand the ins and outs of workplace fire safety.