Explore this post with your favourite AI tool:
Share this article with AI tools to summarise, remember, or explore the content further.
According to the fire service, there are around 22,000 workplace fires that occur in the UK every year – sometimes with devastating consequences.
As well as the potential of fatalities, if your offices etc are burned down then there is a risk of serious financial repercussions with the loss and recovery of data, buildings and equipment.
A recent study published by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has, unsurprisingly, named one of the leading causes of fires in the workplace as faulty or misused electrical equipment.
It got us thinking about the most common causes of fires in the workplace and what can be done to prevent them. In our experience, these are:
1: Defective or misused electricals could spark fires in the workplace
Think loose wires, old or unchecked equipment, and overloaded plug sockets. Any of these could spark, creating a fire which could quickly escalate. This is one of the leading causes of workplace fires but it’s an issue that can easily be managed, thanks to regular PAT testing and fire safety training with staff.
2: Clutter and unorganised work areas
And we don’t just mean general messiness – although a clear desk often equals a clear mind. Too much paper, cardboard and other flammable materials can fuel a fire once it gets started, making a situation worse. If you stay organised and get rid of old paperwork/rubbish regularly you’ll reduce the risk of any potential fires spreading, and exits being blocked. Consider going paper-free as an organisation, which also brings environmental benefits.
3: Other flammable materials
Some companies have storage areas with materials including wood, or fuel, which can drastically speed up the effects of a fire. Making sure they’re safely stored and cleared, when necessary, will prevent a situation from getting worse.
At Acorn Safety Services we offer Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Door Inspections and Fire Compartmentation Surveys to make sure that not only is your workplace as safe as possible, but if a fire occurs it can be contained much more effectively.
4: Human error or negligence
Accidents happen. Whether it’s through negligence or some other factor. However, making sure staff receive fire safety training can reduce the chances of them not using machinery correctly, failing to follow safety protocols or leaving their toast in the toaster for too long.
5: Arson
Not something that you can train for, but something you can work to prevent. By adding and maintaining security cameras, upping your security checks, and making sure entry points are always secure. Anything that can act as a deterrent is useful, including motion-sensor lights and alarms.
6: Faulty Fire Alarms
Although this wouldn’t be a direct cause of a fire in your office, if your fire detection equipment isn’t working as it should then the speed at which it’s discovered is significantly reduced. Make sure your alarm services are all up to date, and that your fire doors and barriers etc are sealed sufficiently.
7: Cooking and Kitchens
Whether it’s people leaving their food unattended while it cooks, a fire in an industrial kitchen or an appliance that has malfunctioned, accidents can happen at any time. By implementing strict protocols in kitchen areas and asking staff not to leave food unattended (as well as regular PAT testing,) you can make sure you’re as safe as possible.
8: Heaters
Yes, the colder months can be exactly that, but it is essential to make sure that portable electrical heaters are PAT-tested and that industrial heating systems are checked regularly. A proper check will be worth it, and you and your staff will be able to keep warm until Spring. If you have storage heaters or other heating systems that are left on whilst the building is empty, consider replacing these with more modern, safer alternatives.
9: Smoking
There’s nothing wrong with staff being able to smoke during work hours. However, making sure they have a safe, designated space to do so and a way to extinguish their cigarettes safely will mean there is less risk of accidental fires starting. That would be a costly smoke break!
10: Mishandling of flammable liquids
If you’re a business that has access to or stores flammable liquids etc then you’ll need to make sure you follow all proper precautions. This means following procedures on handling, use and storage to make sure that everything is always carried out as safely as possible.
For more advice on fire safety and fire risk assessments, contact our team on 01604 936508 or info@acornsafetyservices.co.uk. You can also obtain a quote here.
