Fire Protection and Prevention in the Workplace

A safety inspector holds a clipboard and pen while recording details of several red fire extinguishers arranged on the ground during a safety inspection.

Workplace fire safety is crucial for safeguarding employee well-being and ensuring the continuity of business operations. However, even though emergency preparedness is crucial for every organization, it's too often overlooked until disaster strikes.

To prevent this from happening to your business, you should know and implement fire safety and emergency preparedness strategies that will equip your employees to respond effectively to such situations.

Seven Fire Safety Tips to Protect Your Workplace

1. Schedule Regular Fire Drills

Regular fire drills are crucial for familiarizing employees with evacuation routes and emergency procedures. Consistent practice ensures that everyone knows how to react quickly and safely during a fire, minimizing panic and maximizing preparedness.

2. Conduct Fire Safety Equipment Checkups

Properly functioning fire safety equipment is your first line of defense against a small fire escalating into a major disaster. Regularly inspect and maintain your smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems to ensure that they are always ready for immediate use.

3. Make Sure That Exits Remain Clear at All Times

Unobstructed emergency exits and clear pathways are necessary for safe and swift evacuation. Ensure that all emergency exits are clearly marked with illuminated signs and that corridors remain clutter-free so people can move freely and safely during an emergency.

4. Keep Flammable Materials Properly Stored

Mismanaged flammable materials pose a significant fire risk. Always store these hazardous materials in designated areas away from heat sources and ignition points. Clear labeling and employee training on safe handling procedures are also essential.

5. Follow Electrical Safety Best Practices

Faulty electrical systems are a common cause of workplace fires. Inspect electrical cords and outlets for damage regularly and avoid overloading circuits by plugging in too many devices. Adhering to electrical safety practices can prevent fires from ever starting.

6. Develop a Comprehensive Fire Safety Plan

A detailed fire safety plan is the cornerstone of workplace fire preparedness. This plan should clearly outline evacuation routes, designated assembly points and emergency contact information. Regularly review and update your plan to accommodate your workplace layout or personnel changes.

7. Provide Regular Employee Training

Comprehensive fire safety employee training should include instructions on fire prevention, evacuation procedures and the proper use of different types of fire extinguishers. Make sure that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities if a fire should occur.

Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace

In today's popular open-office environments, smoke from fires can spread rapidly, posing significant risks. And the prevalence of synthetic materials in office fixtures can lead to especially smoky fires that emit toxic substances like carbon monoxide and cyanide into the air.

Dangers like these underscore the critical need for employees to learn how to keep themselves safe in a fire-related emergency. This starts with having a comprehensive emergency action plan and making sure that every new employee is trained on the contents of this plan.

Emergency action plans should cover:

Identifying the Chain of Command and Individual Roles: Clearly outlining who is responsible for different aspects of the plan minimizes confusion during an emergency.
Communication Methods: Detail how employees will be alerted to an evacuation or other required action and how they can report emergencies.
Evacuation Routes and Gathering Points: Identify safe evacuation routes from the building and designated outdoor assembly locations.

General Guidance for Fires and Related Emergencies

Knowing how to react immediately upon discovering a fire or detecting smoke is crucial for minimizing damage and ensuring safety.

Upon Discovering Smoke or Fire

Immediately dial 911 and report the fire.
Inform building security of the emergency.
Pull the nearest fire alarm. If alarms are not available or functional, verbally notify people.
If you can do so safely as you evacuate the building, close windows and doors to help contain the fire and smoke.
If time permits and it's safe to do so, shut down equipment in the immediate area.
If you have received appropriate training and the fire is small and contained, use a portable fire extinguisher on the fire. But do not put yourself at risk: If you're not certain that you can put out the fire with an extinguisher, evacuate and leave it to the professionals.
Evacuate quickly and calmly. Do not collect personal or official items: Leave the fire area immediately and walk (not run) to the exit and your designated gathering area.

After Evacuation

Once they arrive, provide first responders with information about the emergency, including any known hazards that could impact their safety.
Do not re-enter the building until authorized by first responders.
If you are a supervisor, account for your employees, keep them together and report any missing employees to first responders.
If an individual is overexposed to smoke or chemical vapors, move them to an uncontaminated area and seek prompt medical attention.
If clothing catches fire, use the "stop, drop and roll" technique, wrap the victim in a fire blanket or douse them with cold water (using an emergency shower if available). Carefully remove contaminated clothing, avoiding further damage to burned areas. Cover the injured person to prevent shock, and get immediate medical attention.