Fire Safety

Overview

Workplace fires can develop rapidly and may cause fatalities, severe burns, smoke inhalation, structural damage and major business interruption. Effective fire safety depends on controlling fuel and ignition sources, maintaining detection and suppression systems, keeping escape routes clear and ensuring that workers understand alarm, evacuation and emergency procedures.

Main Hazards

• • Combustible and flammable materials stored near ignition sources
• • Hot work sparks, flames and heated surfaces
• • Electrical faults, overloaded circuits and damaged cables
• • Gas, vapor or dust accumulation
• • Blocked emergency exits and escape routes
• • Missing, discharged or inaccessible fire extinguishers
• • Poor housekeeping and accumulation of combustible waste
• • Smoking outside designated areas
• • Inadequate separation of incompatible chemicals
• • Delayed alarm activation or evacuation

Essential Controls

1. 1Complete a fire-risk assessment for the workplace and review it after significant changes.
2. 2Control ignition sources, including hot work, smoking, electrical equipment and open flames.
3. 3Use a permit-to-work system for hot work and provide suitable fire watch arrangements.
4. 4Store flammable liquids in approved containers and designated cabinets or storage areas.
5. 5Separate incompatible chemicals and maintain correct labeling.
6. 6Keep emergency exits, corridors, doors and assembly routes clear at all times.
7. 7Provide suitable fire extinguishers for the expected fire classes.
8. 8Inspect extinguishers, hose reels, alarms and detection systems at required intervals.
9. 9Maintain good housekeeping and remove combustible waste regularly.
10. 10Ensure fire doors remain closed and are not wedged open.
11. 11Provide clear emergency signage and visible evacuation plans.
12. 12Train workers in alarm response, evacuation routes, assembly points and extinguisher limitations.

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