Improving workplace health & safety through collaboration

Articles Fire Hazards In The Work Place

Fire Hazards In The Work Place

Principal Author / Publisher:Safetyhow Admin
Article Rating:
Body
All workplaces contain chemical, electrical and other fire hazards that pose major health and safety threats if left unchecked. Objects that generate heat -- such as computers -- are just one potential trouble spot. Office materials like cardboard or paper, if left to pile up, offer an ideal opportunity for fires to break out. Adopting extension cords and power strips as permanent power sources can also overload the whole system, making a serious fire more likely.



  • zc889bb3a71e894c8577eb8cbb228a9873.jpg
Ignition Points

No fire can start without an ignition point. This terms refers to the minimum temperature at which a substance burns without the application of external heat, according to an analysis by Assured Fire & Security. Examples include office equipment like computer monitors or microwave ovens used in staff kitchens. Even items like cigarettes and matches also create ignition points, especially if employees must hurriedly put out smoking materials.





  • 2i38cdb04b48047e22a5c764cc9ca1b6ef.jpg
Fuel Sources

Every fire needs a fuel source. Many workplaces are careless in dealing with materials that burn easily, such as cardboard and paper, according to Assured Fire's analysis. The type of hazard is unique to the workplace involved. Industrial sites like factories and workshops may contain flammable liquids, timber pallets and packaging materials such as polystyrene. To ensure safe handling, employers must check the specific Materials Safety Data Sheet for each substance.  
  • 48312b2650b36142670c1eb24e0a4e1e27.jpg
Flammable Liquids and Vapors

Flammable liquids and vapors can burn once they mix with air or other oxygen sources, according to the American Chemistry Council. For this reason, solvent containers should be tightly sealed. Liquids or vapors also settle in low areas, and travel along the surface. To prevent static buildups that increase the risk of explosions, electrical equipment should be bonded or grounded along a conductive path, the council advises.  
  • c3fbbfbfb7679f79dae75f23bd8dc29e80.jpg
Heat-Producing Devices

The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) spells out numerous standards for dealing with fire hazards. One standard covers heat-producing devices and equipment, such as boilers, burners, fryers, heat exchangers, ovens and stoves. Companies must provide for the proper storage and maintenance of this equipment, while keeping it away from flammable liquids, according to guidelines spelled out in an OSHA fact sheet.  
  • sc77bec77cb99323b2e0e562d38f1a0575.jpg
Electrical Hazards

Misused extension cords and multiple power strips are the most common causes for office fires. Using multiple power strips to power large appliances can overload outlets and branch circuits. The same rule holds true for extension cords, which provide power when a regular outlet is not available. Extension cords should never be left coiled up. Coiled extension cords cause inductive heating that could damage insulation, and ultimately, cause a fire.  
  • tb77415f2170f7f335f226d4e59df37ce9.jpg

References
Article Rating

This article has been read 898 times.

DISCLAIMER: All contents published on this website is for informational purposes only. In as much as we encourage write-ups to be originally written by the claimed authors, we might not be able to control those who will try to copy articles from other authors/writers. In view of the above, the owner and management of Safetyhow.com will not be liable for any loses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of the contents herein. Likewise, the owner and management will not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information stated. Furthermore, we highly recommend that any form of plagiarism or libel committed as a result or implication of the articles written by any specific author in this platform be reported to us immediately so that appropriate action will be given.

BROWSE ARTICLE BY CATEGORY

BROWSE ARTICLE BY INDUSTRY