Every worksite should have important fire evacuation safeties to help them keep safe from any fire that can occur anytime. Fires not only leave destruction for businesses or work properties but also lead to deaths. Many businesses never fully recover from fire destructions. So, it’s essential to ensure that your workplace is secure, safe and fireproof.
Employees can determine the amount of destruction since they are all over the workplace. Therefore, it’s very important to educate and train your employees on fire safety aspects to prevent the occurrence of fires or prevent a lot of destruction if it happens.
The following are the aspects of fire safety your employees should know:
How to Take Fire Precautions
They should keep on checking the workplace for potential fire hazards. Fire hazards come in various forms, including dust build-up, waste and combustible material, faulty electrical equipment, overloaded power sockets and flammable liquids.
Employees should take precautions by cleaning up waste around the workplace and the dust that has accumulated on surfaces. They should avoid overloaded power systems and ensure that flammable liquids and vapors are stored in secure places and appropriate locations.
All this will ensure that your work environment is protected from the dangers of fire that can occur.
Know the Emergency Procedures
Employees and other personnel should know the next step if a fire breaks out. They should be aware of fire evacuation procedures to prevent fatalities or injuries.
The employees should be aware of fire evacuation routes and exits, which must be cleared and be free from any obstacles. This will make it easier to evacuate a room if there is an occurrence of fire.
Smoke detectors or fire alarm systems at all workplaces. This is to help alert every person to act accordingly in case of a fire breakout.
There has to be an emergency action plan for the industries that work with explosive or flammable materials.
Be Assigned Firefighting Responsibilities
Some employees should be assigned the duties of firefighting. Therefore, it is necessary to create a plan to educate them on how to go about firefighting in case of a fire breakout. For some employees to be given the responsibilities, they must fulfil some specific rules.
For example, the chosen firefighters must have personal protective equipment, and they should know all water sources for easier access.
Workplace Should be a No Smoking Zone
All employees should know that smoking should not be done around the working environment. One should never throw away a hot cigarette since that is a potential fire hazard. You should also ensure that the cigarette has fully been extinguished in a drowned cigarette or sand-filled can.
It is risky to smoke indoors because there might be explosive substances such as oxygen. Oxygen is potentially hazardous even when it is turned off. If you must smoke, it is advisable to do it outdoors.
They Should Always Remain Calm
In case of a fire outbreak, all employees should remain calm as they evacuate. This is because tension might bring more harm, for you might get confused and forget the right procedures to follow.
If you cannot evacuate, you should stay as far as possible from the fire as you wait for help. You should open the window for air but don’t break it since you might need to close it if smoke starts getting in. It would be best to seal all the cracks with wet material to prevent smoke around you.
