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FIRE SAFETY


A greener, sAFer, LIgHTer And sTronger soLuTIon To ImprovIng your pLAnT’s FIre sAFeTy


Addressing fire risks in the industriAl workplAce


It is tough to imagine a fire of any size occurring in the workplace. However, this can happen, especially in high-risk industrial workplaces. Being prepared and understanding what to do in the event of a fire ensures everyone’s health is not jeopardised, therefore maintaining safety in the workplace. Fire hazard risk assessments are the best safety procedures to implement in order to recognise specific dangers and understand how to handle them in the workplace. Staff members must also receive training


on the different fire risks, as well as what to do in the event of a fire. Everyone working in the plant needs to receive adequate training, especially when new facilities and materials are introduced and put in place. Everyone is accountable for fire prevention, protection, and safety, so regular fire safety training is crucial. Although every site is unique, typical industrial fire risks include:


Flammable liquids and gases – make sure you are aware of all the


combustible gases and liquids in your plant, as well as the risks they carry. Chemical safety data sheets provide guidance on handling and storing


dangerous chemicals in line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s advice.


You can put appropriate processes in place, such as offering training and


checking compliance on the handling of flammable gases and liquids. You


can also label flammable chemicals and keep them a safe distance away from oxidizers.


Faulty electrical equipment – faulty electrical equipment is a key root of


many fires, especially industrial ones. When inspecting and maintaining


After a workplace health and safety audit, decision makers usually search for solutions to increase safety and minimise risks. These solutions should also decrease service and maintenance hassles, while maximising cost- effectiveness at the same time. If managers find a solution that ticks off all of these boxes – without sacrificing quality or environment performance – they believe they’ve struck gold. Laura Hutt, operations manager at Britannia Fire, explains how an innovative fire extinguisher – which is straight-forward to use, corrosion resistant and doesn’t require external servicing – is helping to address fire safety risks, while reducing budgets and increasing sustainability. But first, a couple of fire safety fundamentals…


38 oCToBer/novemBer 2022 | IndusTrIAL CompLIAnCe


electrical equipment regularly, make sure to look out for damaged or loose cables. Also ensure any broken equipment is


replaced, and avoid overloading outlets, sockets or circuits. You should also use


extension leads cautiously when working with large gear or equipment.


Combustible dust – numerous industries – including chemical, woodworking,


agricultural, coal mining, and food – experience dust explosions. However, many of those businesses are unaware


of the dangers that dust poses. To reduce these hazards, regular housekeeping


and appropriate ventilation and filtration throughout your plant will all minimise dust build-up.


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