Prevention and Protection in the Office: Fire Safety Tips

Employees being properly trained on fire safety not only applies to protection once a fire occurs, but is important to prevent accidents from ever occurring. Unfortunately, many office employees are not properly trained when it comes to fire safety, leaving the workplace and everyone in it open to danger. We take you through our fire safety tips for prevention and protection in the workplace, as an important reminder for the next time you’re in the office.

All workplaces should train their employees in an emergency action plan, illustrating what to do in a variety of fire related emergencies. This may include how to respond in the case of a fire, emergency exit locations and rescue and medical procedures. While it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure that they train their employees in this emergency action plan, the employee must make sure they understand and participate in it.

Occupational Health & Safety Online tells us why it’s important to make sure your employees have been properly trained on safety procedures:

Bringing food to cook in the office is a great way to make sure you’re not spending unnecessary money while at work. Unfortunately, cooking in the office does have its downsides, with cooking related office fires being more common than you would think. 

KnowledgeCity.com explains why safety around cooking equipment shouldn’t be forgotten in the workplace:

“Cooking equipment is responsible for nearly a third of all office fires. While it might be tempting to pop into a meeting while your lunch is heating up, you should stay put while your food is cooking. Even leaving microwave popcorn unattended is a no-no—the heat build-up can lead to fire in just a few minutes. Keep all cooking appliances, such as coffee makers and electric kettles, in kitchen spaces only, and off of desks. Unplug them when you’re not using them. And be sure to keep them away from walls and other flammable objects, like stacks of napkins.”

According to an Australian study, less than 50% of workplace building occupants feel confident in how to operate a fire extinguisher, while 3 in 4 Americans have never used a fire extinguisher at all. Regardless on your location, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is incredibly important in an emergency – and so is knowing when to leave one alone and wait for the fire department.

Toronto.ca explains why you should know how to use a fire extinguisher, as well as knowing when to leave it alone:

“Most workplaces contain portable fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers can only put out small, contained fires, such as a fire in a wastebasket. The extinguisher in your workplace may or may not be suitable for dealing with grease or electrical fires. If you have not been trained in the proper use of portable extinguishers, do not attempt to fight a fire.

Even with proper fire extinguisher training never fight a fire:

• if the fire is large or spreading.

• if your escape route may be blocked by the spread of fire.

•  if you are not trained in the correct use of the type of extinguisher or are unsure of the type of fire.”

In order to prevent a fire safety incident from occurring, it’s important to make sure you have the proper equipment and that it’s in working order. We can help with fire extinguisher inspections, recharges, and many other mobile services to keep you and your business safe.