A Few Tips for Improving Fire Safety in the Workplace
Even if you work in a small office, never assume that you don't need to worry about fire safety. A fire can break out from one careless smoker who doesn't extinguish their cigarette properly or from an overloaded socket in any kitchen. You can increase fire safety in your workplace if you note a few simple tips for improving awareness with your staff and ensure you have more than just one small fire extinguisher in the kitchen as firefighting equipment.
1. Make a six-month inspection plan
It's usually good to inspect certain areas of your office for fire safety, and you can do this every six months or so. Most email or other such systems on your computer allow you to create a recurring reminder with a task list, so use that feature to remind you about this inspection. This check should include changing the batteries of your smoke alarms, having fire extinguishers checked for their pressure reading and testing the fire alarms. Note too that frayed, worn or bare electrical cords can become a fire hazard as they may create a spark that starts an electrical fire. Check the cords of every electrical device in your office, including extension cords, during your six-month inspection.
2. Remove dust
Dust in an office is very dry and can actually be combustible, especially when around a heat source. Removing dust is a good way to protect your office from a potential fire; have your office vents and ductwork cleaned every year or more often if your office tends to get very dry and dusty. Check behind machines like copiers, scanners and computers and have that area dusted regularly in your standard weekly office cleaning. Ensure that those machines are clean and dust-free.
3. Check your safety equipment
As was previously mentioned, have more than just one fire extinguisher you keep in the kitchen; if a fire breaks out in an office on the other side of the building, that extinguisher won't be very handy to use. Small extinguishers can even be kept in desk drawers so they're out of the way. Invest in a fire smothering blanket; this can protect workers who may need to run past a fire to get to an exit, or it can help smother a fire if an extinguisher isn't powerful enough. Provide covered ashtrays if you allow smoking on your grounds so that cigarette butts are fully contained and extinguished.
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