Fire Safety Precautions In The Workplace

Fire presents a significant risk to businesses – it can threaten the safety of employees and members of the public and can destroy buildings, equipment and stock. For this reason, fire safety is a seriously important aspect of risk management, and it’s one that needs to be taken seriously. 

To ensure your workplace remains a safe working environment, here are 6 fire safety precautions you must take to reduce the risks and effects of a fire. 

6 Fire Safety Precautions To Take In The Workplace: 

1. Ensure you have relevant fire safety equipment
2. Appoint fire wardens
3. Create a fire safety plan
4. Identify and communicate all escape routes
5. Keep your workplace tidy 

1. Ensure You Have Relevant Fire Safety Equipment 

In the event of a fire in a workplace, having the right equipment is essential for alerting employees and members of the public, and potentially extinguish the fire before it grows out of control. 

Ensure your workspace has smoke alarms, fire safety signs, fire escape ladders if necessary and fire prevention systems such as fire extinguishers and sprinklers. 

2. Appoint Fire Wardens

Fire wardens are members of staff who are responsible for taking control of creating and maintaining fire safety procedures. In the event of a fire, they will also need to coordinate evacuation and check no one remains in the building. 

3. Create A Fire Safety Plan

Having a fire safety plan in place could be crucial when it comes to keeping your colleagues and visitors safe. Delivering a fire safety plan is also a legal requirement for workplaces operating in the UK and employers, business owners and landlords are all duly responsible for delivering an adequate fire safety plan.  

4. Identify And Communicate All Escape Routes 

All escape routes must be easily identifiable and with instructions about the means of escape displayed. You also need to provide training for your employees on how to escape in the event of an emergency.

Escape routes must be adequately illuminated and free of any obstacles. You should do daily checks to ensure this area is not blocked. 

5. Keep Your Workplace Tidy 

Messy workplaces contain more health and safety hazards than clean and tidy ones, and many of these hazards are related to fire safety.

Any stock should be stored safely, and appropriate control measures implemented to safely store flammable materials and liquids in line with COSHH regulations. You should also ensure that you are regularly removing combustible waste, including accumulations of dust, before it has a chance to build up and become a safety hazard. 

At morSafe, we stock a large range of first aid and safety supplies, with free next day delivery available. If you need more guidance, please do contact us on 01686 611 377 or sales@morsafesupplies.com.

Written by Kate, for morSafe Supplies.