How to Prevent Common Fire Hazards in the Workplace

According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, a fire department responded to a fire every 24 seconds in the U.S. during 2019 alone.  These fires caused an estimated 16,600 civilian injuries and 3,700 deaths as well as $14.8 billion in property damage.

There are things that can be done in the workplace to help prevent fires and related injuries with some simple routine checks for fire hazards.  Supervisors and/or safety inspectors can routinely perform the following tasks to help prevent fires in the workplace.

1) Clear the Clutter

Good housekeeping is an important part of any safety plan and is also key to preventing a fire hazard. Clutter, garbage, even dust that is permitted to accumulate in work areas increases the risk of becoming a fire hazard and poses other safety issues. It is important to keep all exit routes clear from clutter and make sure all safety signs are visible.

Employers should always provide employees with waste receptacles in convenient locations, the tools to keep their work areas clean and allow time during shifts for housekeeping. Quick checks of work areas, hallways and doorways can be a reminder to clear the clutter. 

2)  Have the Right Type of Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are the first line of defense in putting out a fire before it becomes an unmanageable blaze.  The most common types of fire extinguishers are a multipurpose chemical fire extinguisher for Class A, B or C fires, although these will not work on every type of fire.  Make sure that you have the right type of fire extinguisher on hand or ask your fire and life safety consultant for advice on equipping your facility with the right type extinguishers in the right areas.

3)  Inspect Power Cords and Electrical Issues

Electrical distribution and issues with lighting equipment are the leading cause of industrial fires and are often one of the most cited violations from OSHA inspections.  Overloaded outlets are a common cause of fires and are easy to spot and prevent.  There should be routine checks of all electrical cords looking for frays or tears and inspections to ensure that electrical panels are clear from clutter.

4) Properly Store Chemicals

Just about any business operates with at least a handful of various hazardous chemicals stored on their site. It is important to know the properties of all chemicals, to have safety data sheets (SDS) available and to train employees on the proper handling and storage of all chemicals.  Special care should be taken to ensure that no incompatibilities occur with storage or usage, that chemicals are stored far away from any ignition source and within the correct temperature range.

5) Inspect Smoke Detectors

Smoke, gas, and carbon dioxide detectors must be inspected and tested regularly to ensure they are in proper working order and will function correctly when needed. Smoke detectors are often the first notification to occupants that a fire exists.  Your fire safety provider should conduct your required inspections with their regularly scheduled fire safety services, although regular internal inspections should also be conducted.

HRSS Inspections Important for Fire Prevention

High Rise Security Systems provides commercial fire alarm inspections to help businesses ensure their detectors are working properly along with the entire fire alarm system while alerting building owners to potential hazards.  Regularly scheduled fire alarm inspections reveal any problems caused by corrosion, humidity, or voltage issues.  Inspecting and testing all aspects of your commercial fire alarm system is critical to protect your building and occupants.

HRSS is a leading fire and security provider in the Chicago area with extensive knowledge of all fire and life safety code regulations. We offer fire alarm consulting services as well as UL listed equipment, testing, repairs, maintenance, and inspections.  Contact us to learn how to prevent fire hazards in your workplace.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-and-life-safety/how-to-prevent-common-fire-hazards-in-the-workplace/

 

 

OSHA Fire Safety Guidelines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, provides regulations and enforcement policy for the standards related to preventing fire related injuries in the workplace. OSHA regulations detailed in Code of Federal Regulations, 29 CFR Part 1910, relate to fire protection standards for occupational safety.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910

 Employers are responsible for training employees about fire hazards in their workplace and how to respond in a fire emergency.  Employees should be trained on evacuation procedures and how to use firefighting equipment safely if expected to do so.  When planning for evacuations, considerations include the type of building structure, the type of industry, occupants, and location of all exit doors. Exit routes must be free from obstructions and marked clearly with exit signs.

 The following are OSHA standards for fire safety guidelines:

 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E – related to emergency planning and exit routes.

 Subpart G – regarding the ventilation in buildings

 Subpart H – standards for hazardous materials such as:

o   Compressed gases

o   Acetylene

o   Hydrogen

o   Oxygen

o   Flammable liquids

o   Spray finishing

o   Liquefied petroleum gases storage and handling

o   Anhydrous ammonia – storage and handling

o   Safety management of highly hazardous chemicals

1910.120 – hazardous waste operations and emergency response

1910.156 – fire brigades

1910.157 – portable fire extinguishers

1910.158 – standpipe and hose systems

1910.159 – automatic sprinkler systems

1910.160 – fixed extinguishing systems

1910.164  - fire detection systems

1916.165 – employee alarm systems

Additional information is included in 29 CFR 1910 regarding various operations such as cutting, brazing, or welding,  and more information for special industries

OSHA Evacuation Plan and Procedures eTool

OSHA offers online tools to help small business employers such as retail businesses and low-hazard service companies to develop emergency action plans that comply with standards set by OSHA.  OSHA eTools include help with deciphering whether or not you need an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), assistance in writing one, how to make sure your workplace is compliant to OSHA emergency standards and how to find additional resources.

OSHA Inspection Priorities and Penalties

OSHA focuses inspection resources on the most hazardous violations in the workplace with jurisdiction over approximately 7 million worksites.  Areas of violation include:

1. Imminent danger – include hazards that could cause serious physical harm or death.
2. Severe illnesses and injury – employers are required to report all work related amputations, losses of the eye, or inpatient hospitalizations within 24 hours and to report all work-related fatalities within 8 hours.
3. Worker complaints – allegations of violations or hazards receive a high priority and employees have the option to report complaints anonymously.
4. Referrals – hazards referred from either individuals, organizations or other local, sate or federal agencies.
5. Targeted inspections – OSHA inspections focused on individual workplaces that have had high rates of illnesses or injury and high-hazard industries.
6. Follow-up inspections – inspections in follow up to prior violations.

Penalties for OSHA violations are based on the type of violation and the number of occurrences.  You can view the most recent maximum penalty amounts for OSHA violations here, with a single, serious violation resulting in a possible $13,653 fine per violation and a repeated or willful violation reaching a potential maximum dollar amount of $136,532 per violation.

High Rise Security Systems for Code Compliant Companies

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, offers assistance to businesses in and around Chicago, IL with compliance to fire, life and safety system regulations including OSHA requirements for fire safety.  We offer experienced fire safety technicians with vast knowledge of all building and safety codes and a full staff of fire alarm system designers.  Our technicians are field trained and NICET certified, and provide all encompassing fire and life safety services.

HRSS is a leading provider of fire, security and life safety systems to commercial properties in the Chicago area.  We offer comprehensive services including system design, UL listed equipment, maintenance, inspections, repair and monitoring. Contact us with any questions on maintaining a fully code compliant fire and life safety system for your business.

 

This article was previously published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-and-life-safety/osha-fire-safety-guidelines/