Know about fire safety
Fire is probably one thing you cannot do without, but like water, it is a killer when out of control. Fires, fortunately, are preventable, if they start for some reason, they can be extinguished. If they are not extinguished, measures can be taken to preserve the health and lives of the people in the precincts. This is why fire safety training is important for your workplace, it enables employees to work towards the best possible outcome, which is to preserve life first and property second, in the case of a fire.
The important issues usually covered in a fire safety training include;
Recognizing fire hazards
Fires are usually a result of when the three components namely oxygen, heat and fuel meet. There are different fire hazards around us, some are a direct result of activities in the workplace. Fire in hotel kitchens is okay, unless it is out of control. Other fires are not to do with any activities but are a result of accidents. Identifying fire hazards is usually done by conducting a fire safety risk assessment.
Conducting fire risk assessments
This looks at what should be done to ensure the safety of people and avoid a fire. It looks at the readiness to tackle an emergency in the workplace, vulnerable people, and if the fire safety controls are sufficient. When a fire assessment has been done, you can find out what measures you need to take to improve the preparedness of staff in case of fire
Prevention measures
Everyone in the workplace is taught how to operate in a way that minimizes the risk of fire. This includes cleanliness, taking precautions when handling flammable material, marking hazards, maintaining machinery and smoking in designated areas. Other things covered include ensuring access to firefighting equipment and potential escape routes like keeping walkways and stairs free of obstruction.
How to respond to fire
Having the people in your workplace trained on how to respond to fire has a direct relation to the presence or absence of injuries and casualties in case of fire. Here the main things covered usually include an emergency plan, how to activate the alarms and access the fire escape routes. Here the trainers ensure that employees also have the correct emergency numbers to call for help. Employees are also taught how to fight fire.
How to use fire extinguishers
The employees are trained on how to use the fire extinguishers. This includes the types of extinguishers as well as how to identify them. It is also important for employees to know that there are situations when they should not attempt to fight a fire like when there is a potential of their escape route being blocked or they are unsure of the cause of the fire.
For more information or assistance, contact companies like SPS Fire and Safety.
