Safety in the workplace is something to be concerned about. In today’s fast-paced world of work, safety items can be unintentionally overlooked.
With that in mind, we thought we’d provide a quick read safety checklist of common sense “to do’s” to help you assess your place of business when it comes to basic fire prevention standards. Do a regular walkaround of your workplace to see if any of these need attention throughout the year:
- Provide an adequate number of fire extinguishers and service them at least once annually. Visit the OSHA website at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_placement.html for tips about placing and using portable extinguishers.
- Train employees how to use fire extinguishers.
- Train employees how to respond should a fire occur.
- Ensure that building “exit” signs are readily visible and well lit.
- Ensure that there are enough exits to facilitate a prompt escape, if needed.
- Post your emergency evacuation plan and have periodic fire drills that put your plan in practice.
- Keep aisles, stairwells and exits clear – DO NOT block these areas with furniture or other obstacles.
- Store materials no closer to the ceiling than 36 inches (in a non-sprinklered room) or 18 inches (in a sprinklered room).
- Do not overload electrical outlets. Check your outlets regularly.
- Provide safety ashtrays in areas where smoking is allowed.
- Store hazardous chemicals properly and locate them away from sources such as gas pilot lights.
- Keep work areas free of refuse.
- Don’t use compressed air to blow dust off equipment or other work surfaces. Dust levels in the air can quickly reach dangerous levels that can pose a health hazard to your workers and, if combustible, may even explode when contacting lights or other common electrical sources.
- Do not use flexible cords that are frayed or have damaged plugs. Take them out of service by placing a tag on them that visibly says, “Damaged, Do Not Use” and report them for replacement. Replace and discard as soon as possible.
- Be aware that unusually warm or hot outlets may be a sign of unsafe wiring. Unplug any cords to the outlet, mark the outlet as “Do Not Use”, and report the condition immediately to someone who can safely follow up.
We can help you determine what safety changes are needed in your workplace. In addition to the above checklist review, BCN Services has a staff of safety consultants who will come to your place of business to offer a friendly set of eyes and do a more thorough safety walk-through at no charge. Our consultants have decades of experience across many industries.
Call the BCN Services Risk Management Department at 1.800.891-9911, ext. 108 and arrange a walk-through today. Let’s focus on safety in the workplace in 2019.