Creating A Safe Work Environment For Your Employees

In an emergency, it is critically important that everyone understand their role and how to handle the situation. One of the many emergencies that people need to be trained to handle is a fire, but in the workplace, there are times when your only job should be to leave the building. Knowing when to try and help and when to exit the property is important for all employees.

Emergencies and Knowing When To Leave

In many companies, there are employees trained to help in emergencies. Sometimes a full fire brigade, comprised of employees and trained by emergency service providers, exists on the premises. These employees may have some training and are an asset in small situations but should also understand when to take a step back and exit the premises. Safety should always be the primary concern of all employees, trained or not.

Fire Extinguishers

Fighting a fire is the job of the local fire department but there are times when a small fire can be extinguished quickly and effectively by someone already there when it starts. Training employees to use a fire extinguisher is a great option but be sure they understand not only how and when to use them, but when they will not be effective and to not use them. The wrong extinguisher used at the wrong time can make the first worse or cause it to spread.

Mounted Fire Hoses

In most industrial facilities and many large buildings, you will see fire hoses mounted to the wall or inside a box that can be accessed through a door on the wall. These hoses exist for the fire department to use inside the structure and are not really practical for employees to pull out and try to fight a fire with. In many buildings, the pipe they are attached to will need to be filled with water from a fire truck outside the building before the hoses can be used. What they do provide is a quick and effective way for firefighters to fight the fire inside the building without having to stretch hundreds of feet of hose in from outside the building. Explain to employees what they are for and how they work so they know not to try and use them.

Establishing an Effective Escape Plan

The most important part of keeping your employees safe is to establish an evacuation plan. When the alarm system starts to sound, employees need to know how to get out and what route they should follow. Build an alternative route into the plan just in case the primary route is blocked and make sure you set up a system to account for everyone once they have left the building. No one wants to think about emergencies in your building or facility but planning ahead is critical to keeping everyone safe and can reduce the stress for you and your employees.

Talk to a professional who deals with fire equipment, such as Alexander Gow Fire Equipment Company, for more ideas, information, and instructions on how to use your extinguishing devices.