Fire Safety in the Office, Does Your Company Meet the OSHA Requriements?

By: Kathleen Murray, Capstone Brokerage Client Advocate, October 17, 2016

Among all the safety problems an employee can encounter, fire can be the most frightening. Every year office fires cause millions of dollars in damage and result in hundreds of employee injuries. Yet many employees do not realize how their own actions can contribute to the risk of fire.

Common Causes of Office Fires:

1. Open flame

o Improper use of candles
o Improper handling of flammable or combustible liquids
o Matches and cigarettes that are improperly disposed of, or left unattended near combustibles.

2. Electrical

o Damaged electrical conductors, plug wires or extension cords
o Use of faulty, modified or unapproved electrical equipment
o Insufficient space or clearance between electrical heating equipment and combustibles.
o Short or overloaded circuits
o Loose electrical connections
o Lighting

Remember, if your clothing ever catches on fire do not forget to STOP, DROP, AND ROLL. Running will just fan the flames.

“Classes” of Fires:

There are four classes of fires, categorized according to the kind of material that is burning. Note that any given fire can fall into more than one class; a fire that involves both burning paper and kitchen grease would be a Class AB fire.

Class A fires are those fueled by materials that, when they burn, leave a residue in the form of ash, such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics.

Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gasses, such as gasoline, paint thinner, kitchen grease, propane, and acetylene.

Class C Fires involve energized electrical wiring or equipment (motors, computers, panel boxes) Note that if the electricity to the equipment is cut, a Class C fire becomes one of the other three types of fires.

Class D fires involve exotic metals, such as magnesium, sodium, titanium, and certain organometallic compounds such as alkyllithium and Grignard reagents.

Importance of Good Housekeeping:
Combustible objects such as books, magazines and bags of materials waiting to be recycles act like lighters on a log fire. These
items should be stored properly and not piled up around the office.

Preventing Office Fires:
– Do not use electrical equipment that is in poor repair or that has a damaged cord.
– Do not overload circuits or extension cords.
– Use approved power bars instead of circuit splitters.
– Keep electrical heating appliances at a safe distance from combustibles

Let the fire department put out fires unless you are part of a trained fire fighting squad for your employer.

Prior to a Fire:
– Know where fire extinguishers are located in your office.
– Be aware of your office evacuation plan and know where to meet if a fire occurs.
– Locate the first aid kits in your area.

Every business should have a Fire evacuation plan in place. All employees should know where the fire extinguisher is, understand the companies fire evacuation plan and to practice fire prevention. It is imperative for the safety of all employees to be educated on Fire Safety. For more information on this topic or for assistance with a risk assessment for you needs contact your insurance broker.