IS YOUR WORKPLACE READY FOR THE HEAT?
In June 2023, there was a 6.2% increase in Fire Safety in hot weather incidents responded to by the Fire Rescue Service compared to June 2022 and an 11% increase compared to 2018. Every time the UK gets struck by a heatwave, the risk of accidental fires increases. During hot weather, many employees become more complacent and potential hazards are easy to miss. So how can you ensure that you’re safe this summer?
GERNERAL SAFETY TIPS
Ensure bins are emptied regularly – excess rubbish sitting out in the sun can lead to potential combustible materials heating up to the point of a fire.
Fans should not be left on overnight – Leaving a fan on all night can cause the plug to heat and spark an electrical fire.
More electrical equipment is also commonly used during the summer with fans and air conditioners working to keep employees cool. In a business environment, all fans and electronics should be PAT tested to ensure that they are working safely and correctly.
Reflective items should be stored away and out of direct sunlight. When sunlight hits a reflective surface, it becomes concentrated and when projected onto flammable materials like cloth, curtains, gas canisters etc, this can start a fire.
Keep the fire doors closed! Although it may be nice to have a breeze in the office during the hot weather, however this can pose a risk if a fire were to occur as having the fire door open means it would not be able to stop the flames and can cause the fire to spread at a more rapid rate.
BBQ’S
Team building BBQ’s are a great idea to boost moral and get to know your co-workers but take care to ensure that you’re doing this safely! BBQ’s should never be left unattended and the correct fire extinguisher and a fire blanket should be on hand to quickly put out a fire should this occur. You can also keep a bucket of sand nearby to help put out a fire too! Never use flammable liquids on a BBQ and keep them far away from any combustible materials to avoid the risk of fires catching. Always ensure that you’re using safe fuel sources that are suited to the type of barbeque device you’re using.
It is a good idea to keep an exclusion zone near the BBQ where only a limited number of people can enter; this will help to avoid as much risk as possible and your designated Fire Marshall should be on hand to help should anything go wrong. Both charcoal and gas barbeques come with risks but with gas it is also important to do a visual inspection of the gas cylinders and be mindful of any damage or nearby open flames.
Make sure that if a fire were to occur, you have a plan in place and all the right, working emergency equipment to keep your employees safe. A Fire Risk Assessment is a sure way to know that everyone will be safe and there are minimal fire risks within your building, all year round. A good FRA will make sure that your alarms, prevention and emergency response systems are ready to respond in the event of a fire.
