9 Effective Workplace Fire Safety Tips Your Company Should Follow

Did you know that every year 23,000 Americans are injured and another 2,500 die as a result of workplace fires? 

These numbers come from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is an organization that promotes fire safety: from proper storage techniques and the use of appropriate equipment to regular inspections and emergency preparedness plans. In this section, we’ll cover the 10 most effective tips for keeping your employees safe in case a fire should break out in your building. 

Now let’s look at some specific workplace fire safety tips that you can use right now

Install a fire suppression system. 

A fire suppression system is a bigger, more powerful version of a fire extinguisher. It’s designed for fires that can’t be stopped with a portable fire extinguisher. 

Fire suppression systems are required by law in certain types of commercial spaces such as industrial kitchens and restaurants. They’re worth installing in other kinds of workplaces as well.

Fire suppressions systems can be installed via the ceilings or through the wall. Before you install it, make sure you know what kind of system you need for your space; some rely on specific chemicals like water and potassium to put out the flames ( these are sometimes called wet fire suppressions systems), while others use dry chemicals or gaseous compounds instead. You’ll also need to know how big the space is so you can determine what size tank is appropriate for it. 

Make sure your team knows where and how to use fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers are essential safety equipment that can quickly put out a fire. If a fire breaks out, you and your team members will need to know how to use the fire extinguishers. There are different types of fire extinguishers for different types of fires, so it’s important that everyone knows what type of extinguishers are in their proximity.They should also be  aware of the classifications for fires and know which type is appropriate for each situation. 

To help your team understand  this important, make sure they understand these three things:

• The four main types of fire extinguishers available —--ABC, BC, Class K, Class D 
• The different classes of fires ( Class A, B,C,D)
• How to operate a fire extinguishers 

It’s important to note that not all workplaces will have every type of fire extinguisher available  onsite . Make sure that you check your local regulations regarding which types and how many you must have on hand.

Use an industrial kitchen fire suppression system.

An industrial kitchen fire suppression system is an excellent way to keep your employees safe. The first step is to make sure your industrial kitchen fire suppression system is in good working order. In particular, the system should be checked regularly by a professional to ensure that it's up-to-date and hasn't been damaged or altered in any way. Additionally, the system should be connected to an alarm system and a fire extinguisher so that you're always prepared if something goes wrong.

Don't allow employees to smoke inside.

The first tip for workplace fire safety is to keep an eye out for people smoking in the office, and to make sure that your company policy has no exceptions. Regardless of how many years someone has been with the company, they are not allowed to smoke inside under any circumstances. There are designated areas outside where employees can smoke as long as they wish, but if management catches anyone smoking inside it will result in immediate termination. Similarly, if you notice someone breaking this rule and feel uncomfortable confronting them yourself, notify a manager so that they can take the appropriate steps to ensure everyone's safety.

Do regular checks of electrical cords and keep them in good condition. 

Electrical cords are important to the proper functioning of all our appliances and electronics. Unfortunately, they are often ignored and neglected. The result can be a fire hazard or an injury if left in poor condition. You should do regular checks of electrical cords and keep them in good condition.

First, check for fraying or signs of wear and tear on cords. If you see any, replace them immediately. Second, check for any extension cords that are being used as permanent wiring, which is dangerous and can be a fire hazard. Third: Check for any electrical cords that are being overloaded. This is when too many items are plugged into one outlet and the cord is running hot from carrying too much electricity. Fourth: check for electrical cords that are being run through doorways or under carpets, because they can be a tripping hazard. These are just a few of the things you should look out for to keep your home safe from hazards caused by poorly maintained electrical cords.

Keep fire exits free of obstacles 

It's important to make sure that the fire exits are clearly marked, and that nothing is blocking these exits. If your company regularly uses some of these doors as entryways or ways to access other areas, consider posting notices on these doors reminding people to keep them clear at all times

If you're a business owner, it's imperative that you also have a "fire marshal" assigned for when an emergency should occur. Their role is to check that everyone is evacuated safely from the building and accounted for. The fire marshal will also be responsible for checking those who need help getting out of the building—such as the elderly or disabled employees—are assisted with their evacuation.

In addition to having an assigned fire marshal, it's essential to complete regular fire drills so everyone knows what they should do in case of an emergency situation. Fire drills should include:

• Having designated meeting places outside where everyone can gather and be accounted for once everyone is evacuated.
• Making sure everyone knows which route they should take if there is a fire and having signs clearly showing where the nearest exit point is
• Having a team of people who can assist those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues get out of the building.
• Making sure employees know how to use any equipment such as evacuation chairs that might be used in emergencies.

Have an evacuation plan and practice it regularly with employees.

The best way to make sure your employees know what to do in case of an emergency is by putting a plan in place and practicing it at least once a year. An effective evacuation plan should include:

• The name of an emergency contact person who can be reached immediately in the event of an emergency.
• Instructions for shutting off machinery, equipment, and lights.
• Clear routes for safe exit out of the building—preferably using multiple exits if possible. (Exit maps should also be posted prominently around the office.)
• A defined meeting place outside of the building where employees will gather after leaving and from which they will be accounted for.

It's also important that employees know how to signal that there's a fire, as well as how to handle any flammable materials on the premises or put out small fires themselves. Make sure you're up-to-date on all your local fire safety laws and regulations—your state or town may have its own specific requirements for workplace safety that are beyond OSHA standards.

Provide first-aid training to employees so they know what to do if they burn themselves on the job.

Cool the burn with cold water for at least 10 minutes. Use a clean cloth to cover the burn, and don't put ice directly on the skin. Don't break any blisters or remove clothing stuck to the skin. If there's a lot of blood, call 911 immediately. If you're in charge of creating your company's fire safety policy, be sure to include this first-aid training so your employees know what to do if they get burned:

• Cool the burn with cold water for at least 10 minutes. Use a clean cloth to cover the burn, and don't put ice directly on the skin—this can damage it further.
• Resist popping any blisters that may appear; these are there (gross as they look) to protect new skin cells that have formed underneath them.
• Do not remove clothing stuck to the skin; instead, cut around it carefully and keep it in place until a doctor or nurse can take care of you safely.
• Do not apply creams or ointments without expert advice—these products can damage your new cells as well and prevent proper healing from taking place.

Workplace inspections should be performed regularly 

A person knowledgeable about fire safety hazards in the workplace should perform them. This includes an employer, a supervisor, a health and safety representative, or a designated alternate who has undergone fire training for their position.

They should be performed regularly. The frequency of these inspections will depend on your individual business' situation—with variable factors being its size and industry—but you should aim to do them at least yearly, or more often if it makes sense given specific circumstances.

They should take everything into consideration. These inspections should examine every aspect of your company's workplace environment, from equipment and materials all the way down to designated exits and evacuation procedures.

If they run into problems during the inspection process, they need to remember that prevention is key. It might be tempting to just push off small issues like loose wiring or blocked passageways until later (or never), but this is an extremely bad idea that can lead to dire consequences—so ensure that any issues are addressed as soon as possible

Bottomline

Now that you've had a chance to review our tips, hopefully they'll all seem logical and common sense. Most fire damage happens quickly, so proper preventative measures can save you thousands of dollars in costly repair and clean-up costs. Of course, we don't expect our tips to eliminate all the risk of fire damage at your workspace, but they will help you cut down on certain common causes. Fortunately, the cost of putting these practices into action is low compared to the potential savings from lowered fire prevention costs.