Did you know that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of fires in the workplace every year? This is a very real threat to employee health and safety. As such, it is important to ensure that the proper measures are in place to make the environment better for all those who work there. Here are the top tips to bear in mind:
Reduce the Risks in the Office
One of the most common causes of fires in the workplace is electrical. Not only are there numerous machines within the space but they are often hooked to many of the same outlets, making it a fire hazard. This is why it is important to ensure that only one or two machines are powered by the same outlet. If it is a more powerful machine then it needs its own outlet.
This logic should also carry into the kitchen where microwaves, coffee machines, and other appliances are being used. These, too, can be a fire hazard. As such, each employee should know how to handle each of them.
Have the Proper Safety Equipment
Don’t automatically assume that your office is outfitted with the proper safety equipment. Instead, manually check if everything is in place. If anything is lacking, make sure to replace it immediately. If you are not sure what you need to have in such an environment ask a fire marshal or another authority figure.
Make sure to buy the latest options available to you. For instance, consider outfitting your office with Purple K fire extinguishers as they are far more effective at putting fires out. This reduces the risk of the fire spreading. Do research into what the best options on the market are and stock up on them accordingly.
Train Your Employees
The first step is having the right safety equipment. However, if none of your employees know how to use any of it, having the best extinguishers will not be enough. This is why you need to hold safety seminars to teach people what they should do in the event of a fire.
Make sure that your employees get hands-on experience handling all the safety equipment that they will need to use in the case of a real fire. This way they can work off of muscle memory. It is also a good idea to have these seminars quite regularly so that people don’t forget what they need to do.
Maintain and Test the Equipment
It is important to properly maintain the safety equipment in the workplace. It is just as key that you test them on a regular basis to ensure that they are working as they should be. In most instances, these tasks have to be carried out by professionals. Thus, you need to create a proper schedule and stick to it.
Keep the Exits Clear at all Times
Once your fire alarms start ringing, it will scare all your employees. Expect everyone to start rushing towards the exits, even if they don’t see smoke or flames. You must ensure there isn’t anything blocking their escape, or it will cause even more panic because people will think they’re trapped inside, which could end up causing lots of injuries.
If you have lots of equipment or boxes lying around in the workplace, it’s worth using paint to highlight areas on your floor that must remain clear. It will stop someone from creating a fire hazard by dumping something next to an emergency exit. Don’t be afraid to reprimand employees who ignore your instructions.
Improve Building Security
Arsonists like to start fires in commercial buildings, so you must prevent intruders from getting in. Even if they start fires at night when most employees are at home, you might have security guards or night shift workers inside your building. It’s probably time to upgrade your security system if it’s been a while since you had it installed.
Intruders will find it much harder to break into your building if you have smart locks on the doors. It’s unlikely anyone will break your doors down if they can’t pick the locks. If your cameras are hooked up to your smartphone, you’ll be able to alert the police before arsonists start any fires. I think you’ll be impressed by the smart technology on sale today.
Conclusion
Fire safety is incredibly important. Not only can it prevent thousands of dollars in damages, it can also help to save lives. Thus, you should ensure that the above guidelines are being utilized in your workplace to guarantee safety and peace of mind for all who work there. Once something goes wrong, it will destroy the morale of your workforce.
