Every business needs to do everything possible to cut the risk of fires breaking out in the workplace. Here are some tips to help you do that.
Never Allow Smoking in the Workplace
There are many reasons to enforce the no smoking policy in the workplace. It’s something that has many risks, and it makes the workplace smell bad. But the main risk is the fire risk that comes with smoking indoors. You can never be sure that someone won’t drop a cigarette and accidently cause a fire to start. So, the only real solution to this problem is to enforce a rule that says you can only smoke outside the office in a clearly designated zone, away from everyone else.
Teach Staff How to Use the Fire Extinguisher
When a fire starts, the first imperative is to try and stop the fire at its source before it begins to spread throughout the workplace. To do this, everyone in your workplace should be able to use a fire extinguisher competently. So, you should make your employees take a comprehensive training course that teaches them how to put out fires and what to do when different situations arise. This is the only way to make sure that they’ll know how to react when something terrible does happen.
Install New Fire Alarms
If you want to be adequately prepared for a potential fire, you need to have good fire alarm systems in place. These should be checked and tested consistently to make sure that the batteries are still functioning. You should pick a new fire alarm if the one you currently have hasn’t been updated for many years. Wireless fire alarm systems are very popular at the moment because they are easy to set up and very effective. They’ll still need to be maintained and looked after though.
Store Any Hazardous Materials Safely
Some businesses are required to store chemicals or other dangerous materials that make fires more likely. So, you need to store them carefully and in the right place. If those chemicals leaked, and then they are exposed to a spark, they could catch fire and cause devastation. So, you need to learn all about the kinds of materials you have and how they should be stored to minimise the risk of fires starting. You could contact an expert and have them advise you on the latest storage methods.
Have an Exit Plan
If the worst happens, and a fire does start, you need to have a route out of the building. If you don’t have an escape plan drawn up for the whole office to see, you should plan one as soon as possible. You don’t want your employees to panic and run off in different directions because that’s how people can get hurt. Once you’ve drawn up the plan, you should then put it to the test. And you can do this by carrying out a fire drill. This will allow you to observe how everyone reacts in these situations.
