A Little Fire Prevention Planning Can Save You From A Big Problem

When EMC risk improvement manager Mike Duffield inspects a commercial facility, fire prevention is always on his mind. “Workplace fires kill more than 300 and injure more than 5,000 workers every year,” comments Duffield. “Fires destroy businesses and put people out of work,” he adds. Trained to identify fire risks and armed with information on ways to prevent fires, Duffield and other risk improvement specialists can advise you if your workplace is in compliance with standards for fire safety.

Fire Tops The List Of Construction Job Site Hazards
Whether you’re responsible for a small construction site or a massive one, the potential for a fire should be a continuous concern. Fire is a very real threat, and ignition is usually from a simple cause such as careless smoking, poor housekeeping, lack of maintenance of electrical tools, portable heating, lack of adequate fire watch, cutting and welding operations or faulty wiring. Constant effort must be made in order to protect employees, visitors such as inspectors and vendors, as well as the site itself. Here are some fire prevention tips to assist you in your efforts.

Construction Site Housekeeping Tips

Remove waste, excess debris, and scrap from the premises on a daily basis.
Keep areas in and around the site free from accumulated packing materials such as wooden crates, straw, plastic products, etc.
Provide metal bins with lids for combustible waste materials.
Keep storage locations accessible to firefighters.
Stored materials should be clear of the aisles and in an approved location.
Drains should be kept free of obstructions.

Electrical Tips

Keep temporary extension wiring to a minimum, taking care not to overload existing circuits.
Keep the use of portable lamps to a minimum. Those that are used should be equipped with appropriate guards.
The main switches of all electrical circuits should be in the off position when not in use.
Defects in electrical equipment should be repaired immediately.
Lockout/tagout practices should be utilized when applicable.

Management Tips

The telephone number of the local fire department or emergency response group should be prominently displayed at your construction site.
After work has stopped for the day, routine inspections of the premises should be made to check for slow burning or smoldering fires and to make certain any portable heating units are turned off.
Make all employees aware of the means of egress from the premises.
Train all employees in the use of fire extinguishers.
There should be appropriate and sufficient receptacles for cigarette butts, and they are emptied as needed.

Flammable And Combustible Materials
Please refer to the Flammable & Combustible Materials Checklist.

Evacuation And Escape Tips

Emergency alarms should be audible to all employees, including those in isolated areas.
Escape routes and emergency exits should be clearly marked.
Designate an assembly point where employees can gather and be accounted for.

Make Fire Prevention Part Of Your Comprehensive Safety Program
The impact of a construction site fire can be devastating. On average, these fires are responsible for 30 injuries, 10 fatalities, and $35.2 million in property loss each year. By taking the steps outlined in this article, you are taking the necessary precautions to create a safe job site for your workers. Like every other element of your safety program, success in preventing fires takes constant vigilance, effort and a good working relationship with everyone on the site. The effort, however, is well worth the results — a safer and more productive work environment.

The above information is courtesy of the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health