(Newswire.net — January 31, 2017) —
You spent the entire morning barely catching up with your overflowing inbox, got dragged into an impromptu lunchtime meeting and now, as the bad luck and irate customers follow you into the afternoon, home time is looking further and further away.
You’ve had a bad day, the type that calls for a takeaway and a glass or two of wine before bed.
And yet it’s nothing compared to the stress you’ll face if your workplace falls victim to a devastating blaze.
It’s one of those things, like Trump winning the presidency or the Brexit result, that you never think will actually happen – until suddenly it does.
Just ask the business owners affected by the 2,139 fires that occurred in industrial premises across the UK in 2013/14.
So you don’t have to suffer the nightmare of dealing with the aftermath of such an accident, we’re running through the key fire safety measures you need to adopt.
Minimise risks
For the sake of your business and conscience, think proactively and do everything you can to minimise common or likely risks.
If your employees work with flammable materials, provide the necessary safety gear and spend time training all staff on how to sensitively handle and store them.
Electrical fires are another common hazard, especially in offices, so don’t forget to regularly undergo Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) to keep all equipment in fighting shape.
Get a plan in place
Get a comprehensive fire safety plan together or, if you’ve already got one sorted, give it a read over to check it’s as up-to-date as possible.
It should have a detailed emergency exit protocol clearly outlined, including meeting places and next steps.
But simply having all that potentially life-saving information written down isn’t enough – explain its importance to staff, keep everyone on the same page and reiterate what their responsibilities are should an emergency occur.
Invest in protective measures
Should the worst happen, your biggest concern will be ensuring your customers and employees are free from harm.
Protective measures such as fire barriers and blast walls are the only thing that will give you peace of mind.
You can’t beat the four-hour protection provided by Durasteel systems, or the space-saving designs they’ll use to seamlessly install them in your workplace. They’ll keep everyone safe until the emergency services arrive.
Make regular checks
Lastly, don’t let all your hard work go to waste by neglecting your fire safety measures. Think long-term and limit hazards by performing regular risk assessments and alarm system checks.
Maintaining high standards will also keep you on the right side of the law, meaning you won’t end up getting hit with a nasty fine when it comes to official council inspections.
Do you have another top tips or advice for promoting fire safety in the workplace? Leave a comment and let us know.