Fire Hazards in the Workplace

Fire safety in the workplace should be considered by all employees and building owners, with everyone working together to ensure fire hazards in the workplace are identified quickly and reduced. With due care and attention, there are risk controls that every person can take to minimise the risk of a fire occuring.

At Churches Fire & Security, we are the experts in business fire protection – helping our customers to keep their property, assets and personnel safe from the threat of fire.

This blog will detail what a fire hazard is, common examples in the workplace, how to mitigate fire hazards and ensure your workplace is operating at maximum safety.

Common fire hazards in the workplace

1) Flammable materials

There are numerous materials that could lead to a fire if not handled, stored and discarded properly. Items that can lead to potential fires include, but are not limited to:

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Soft furnishings
• Heaters
• Aerosols
• Cleaning fluids
• Chemicals
• Oil and grease
• Paint

2) Excess waste

Excess waste such as cardboard boxes, paper and wood must be stored and disposed of properly. The unsafe management of waste can act as fuel if they come into contact with heat sources such as electricity or a naked flame. It’s also wise to be mindful of the location of stored waste, ensuring fire exit paths or doors are not obstructed.

3) Substandard Housekeeping

The build-up of dust, grime, soot and debris due to poor levels of housekeeping can result in hazards forming. The accumulation of dust from machinery and construction works should be cleared immediately.

4) Smoking

Due care and attention must be given when discarding cigarettes, matches and other smoking paraphernalia. Be sure that there are designated smoking areas, cigarette bins and ash buckets provided in the workplace. Recklessness when smoking is a significant cause of fire that can easily be avoided.

5) Kitchen equipment

If there is a kitchen on-site at your workplace, consider who has access to cooking equipment. Toasters, kettles, coffee machines, microwaves and any other items that can be plugged in should be PAT tested. You should also periodically inspect cooking apparatus for damage and clean grease away to avoid build-up.

How to mitigate fire hazards

Fire Safety Training

First and foremost, fire safety training must be provided to your staff. Fire safety training is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and should be provided to all staff at their induction to your business, and updated if their responsibilities are changed to use new equipment, different technology or unfamiliar materials. Fire safety training must detail how to protect themselves, their colleagues and the premises from the threat of fire, what actions to take if they discover a fire or hear a fire alarm, how to safely exit the premises via fire exits and guidance on how to mitigate fire hazards in the workplace. Being confident that your staff members know the fire hazards and how to deal with them is vitally important.

Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment

As an employer, owner, landlord or occupier of a business (or non-domestic premises) you have a legal responsibility to the fire safety of your premises. A competent and knowledgeable person must carry out a fire risk assessment and it is strongly recommended to use a qualified assessor. Churches Fire & Security can provide you with this service, leaving you with peace of mind that an expert has assessed your business.

In addition, inspection and maintenance of potential fire hazards should form part of your own regular fire safety checks. These should be carried out at weekly or monthly intervals, as indicated in your fire risk assessment. This can involve removing potential sources of ignition, arranging refresher fire safety training, ensuring staff are adhering to regulations and updating your fire risk assessment if required.

How Churches Fire & Security can help

Churches Fire & Security deliver quality fire safety training and fire risk assessments to businesses across the United Kingdom. As an industry leader, we have developed in-depth and informative training to help ensure fire safety is available to everyone.

We also offer a full range of quality fire and security services including CCTV systems, access control, intruder and fire alarms, 24/7 monitoring, sprinkler systems, visual fire door inspections, dry risers, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers.