The information in today’s issue is adapted from BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer session, “Basic Fire Prevention Steps.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to have a fire prevention plan that covers workplace fire hazards and contains procedures and responsibilities for preventing fires. In this safety training session, we’ll learn what components cause fires and what steps you can take to prevent fires.
Fire Results from Combining Fuel, Oxygen, and Heat
- Fuel: Paper, wood, flammable substances such as gasoline
- Oxygen: A gas present in the air
- Heat or Ignition Source: Flame, electricity, friction, spark, chemical reaction
To prevent fires, keep fuel, oxygen, and heat from coming together.
Practice Good Housekeeping to Keep Fuels Away from Heat
- Dispose of waste promptly and properly.
- Keep work areas free of dust and lint.
- Keep combustible materials away from lights and machinery.
Think you have no time to train? Think again. BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer helps you fulfill key OSHA-required training tasks in as little as 7 minutes. Try it at no cost and see!.
Identify and Take Precautions with Flammable Substances
Flammable vapors can spread and catch fire quickly.
- Check labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) to identify flammable substances. Follow handling and storage precautions to prevent spills and vapor releases.
- Clean up flammable spills and leaks immediately.
- Remove clothing that has absorbed flammable liquids immediately.
- Substitute nonflammable materials for tasks when possible.
- Keep flammable liquids in approved, airtight metal containers that are closed when not in use.
- Ground containers during liquid transfer so you don’t create static electricity.
- Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas, away from heat, fire, etc.
- Do not place near heat or cut a container that previously contained a flammable liquid, unless it’s been tested and approved for such use.
Handle Oxygen Cylinders Carefully
Specifically, don’t handle with oily hands or gloves or store near combustible materials.
For more information on National Fire Prevention Week, visit:
www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week.
Effective, 7-minute sessions provide comprehensive safety training at an average cost of $1 a day. Get the details.
In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll continue with basic fire prevention training, and we’ll look at an exciting safety training resource that provides a quick and cost-effective way to train on key safety topics.