The Top 7 Fire Hazards in the Workplace
As an employer, it’s in your best interest to reduce any chance of a workplace fire. For one, you want to keep your employees safe, but you also need to protect your property from damage and your business from the possibility of a lawsuit.
Here are just a few fire hazards in the workplace that you should be looking out for, whether you’re in the construction business or just running a regular office space:
1. Faulty electrical equipment
Electricity has always been a fire hazard, and it’s something you should definitely be looking out for. Fires caused by electrical equipment are some of the most common fires in work environments. To avoid fires, make sure that electrical equipment is turned off when not being used, that all cables are secure, and that all plugs are in good condition.
2. Dust explosions
Dust explosions occur because of a combination of heat, oxygen and a large number of dust particles within a confined space. To help prevent a possible dust explosion, minimize dust in the workplace, examine and control all possible ignition sites, and ventilate properly. For more tips on how to prevent and control dust explosions, check out this OSHA guide.
3. Compressed gases
Compressed gases can be highly toxic and lead to explosions, so they should only be handled by trained employees. To reduce the possibility of a gas fire, avoid dragging or sliding cylinders, don’t subject compressed gas to extremely high or low temperatures, don’t place cylinders near flames or heat sources, and store cylinders in a dry, ventilated and fire-resistant area. Check out more tips here!
4. Welding, cutting and brazing
Hot work can lead to fires in a number of different ways. For example, hot work performed near combustibles can lead to a fire. Hot work can even start fires by heating up walls or pipes, leading to ignition in other areas, or through sparks that slip through cracks in floors and walls. For more hazards related to welding, cutting and brazing, visit this OSHA page.
5. Smoking
Discarded cigarettes are still a huge cause of fire hazards in the workplace, even though smoking is becoming less popular. To reduce your chances of a fire, make sure that you have designated smoking areas that are located far from any flammables and main buildings, and provide bins for used cigarettes.
6. Lack of emergency exits
Every workplace is required to have enough emergency exits so that everyone can get out of the building as quickly as possible. In case of a fire, employees should know exactly where to go to stay safe. Here are a few more requirements for emergency exits!
- Emergency exits must not be locked or obstructed while employees are inside the building
- Exit routes should be clear and properly marked
7. Sparks
Where there’s a spark, there’s a fire, and you don’t want fires in your workplace. Sparks can get through floors and cracks in walls, igniting fires in unknown locations. If your employees are engaged in any work activity that produces sparks, make sure that the work site has been carefully chosen.
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