Importance of Fire Safety Training at Workplace

Fire hazards can cause injuries, take lives, and destroy resources. A fire in the organization can cause termination of jobs, as many of the factories and offices set on fire in our country are never reassembled. The best tactic for preventing fires is to make people aware of the importance of fire safety training at workplace.

 

Proper fire safety training in the workplace can get rid of fire hazards and respond efficiently and quickly. Without suitable training, a small incident can grow briskly and begin to be a crucial incident with catastrophic outcomes.

 

 

 

Everyone will be in circumstances involving vulnerability if there is a fire hazard that takes place. In spite of that, there are some workers who may be at greater risk because of when or where they work, or because they’re not familiar with the work area or the equipment at the work premises.

 

How to Recognize the Fire Hazards in the Workplace

 

Fire safety training in the workplace starts with identifying the basic properties of fire. All fires originate when fuel comes into contact with heat where oxygen is present. To prevent a fire the objective is to keep sources of fuel and ignition apart.

 

Conducting a Fire Safety Risk Assessment

 

The aim of the fire safety risk assessment is to make an idea that what all things could do to obstruct a fire and keep all the workers safe. The analysis includes the following. 

 

1. Fire detection and warning systems
2. Fire fighting equipment
3. The emergency fire evacuation plan
4. Removal or safe storage of dangerous and flammable materials
5. The needs of vulnerable people
6. Communication with employees and others on the premises
7. Fire and safety training of staff

 

The first step in identifying fire hazards are fire safety risk evaluation. It also helps to recognize the people at risk, state of emergency preparedness, and successfulness of controls in the work premises. With the help of the statistics from the risk analysis squad,  employers can make advancement in their fire safety plans and cut down or reduce risks. Employers can also ensure proper training is provided to their workers.

 

How to prevent fires in the workplace?

 

1. Keep the work premises clean. Common scraps and construction wastes can act as fuel for the fire. Construction wastes may block the entry of emergency vehicles to the premises in the case of an emergency.
2. Never smoke in storage areas of flammable materials or storerooms.
3. Mark potential fire risks and hazards with properly visible signage. Post emergency telephone numbers of the concerned person and the company address in all areas where work is implemented.
4. Keep all types of machinery properly lubricated and cleaned to prevent overheating and sparks due to friction.
5. Keep oily rags in a covered metal container, these types of waste must be properly disposed of regularly.
6. Malfunctioning tools and electrical equipment should be repaired promptly. Never attempt to repair electrical tools unless you are qualified and authorized.
7. Avoid running electrical cords or wires under carpets and rugs near a source of heat.
8. Always maintain clear access to all electrical switchboards and control panels. Materials and equipment stored in front of the panels could delay power shutdowns in the case of emergency situations.
9. Always store and use chemicals safely. Read the labels and the material safety data sheets to study about flammability and other fire hazards.
10. Provide sufficient ventilation when using and storing chemical substances.
11. Always maintain clearances when stacking materials.
12. Never block water sprinklers, firefighting types of equipment, or emergency exits.
13. Learn how to operate a fire extinguisher properly.
14. Know where fire extinguishers are located and which extinguishers to use for the specific type of fire.

 

How to Respond for a Sudden Fire Burst

 

It’s important that everyone in the work area is prepared for a fire. Workers need to know what should do in case a fire occurs and how to work together to effectively stop the spread of a fire.

 

Benefits of  Fire Safety Training at Workplace

 

1, The worker’s duty in the organization’s emergency response plan

2, The company’s emergency response plan

3, What to do if they come across or smoke while they are working?

4, How to activate the fire alarm manually to enable the building occupants to escape

5, How to fight a small fire with a portable extinguisher

6, To leave the area immediately, closing all doors behind them

7, Where designated muster areas are located outside the building

 

By practicing what to do in the case of a fire, deficiency in the emergency action plan can be disclosed and those mistakes can then be addressed. Fire mock drill practices also help to build confidence for the officers and make them strong to handle the catastrophic situation.

 

Also, Read – What is Fire Protection Engineering?

 

Use of Fire Extinguishers in the Workplace

 

Most workplaces contain portable fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers can only extinguish small fires, such as a fire in a frying pan or in the waste bin. Extinguishers in different work premises may not be or may be suitable for dealing with electrical fires or fires in lubricant oils.

 

Workers who have not attended professional fire safety training in the workplace should not attempt to extinguish the fire hazard as it creates very dangerous situations.

 

if the fire is very immense or spreading and if they don’t have the provision to extinguish a large fire if they are not trained in the exact use of the extinguisher or are uncertain of the type of fire. Both employees and employers are responsible for preventing fires in the workplace. In addition to possible injury and loss of life, a serious fire can cause longterm lockout of a factory resulting in loss of jobs. It is feasible to lower the threat of fire to the assets and people and by teaching everyone to work together to prevent fire without any failure.

 

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