Safety Newsletter - November 2008

Fire Safety

Fire safety is a topic that should always be on our minds; after all, none of us want the building to burn down and for us to lose our jobs, do we? The following are some of the questions that should always be kept in mind when considering fire safety:

When was the last time you had an evacuation drill? Recently, or over twelve months ago? It should be standard practice for these to be done once a year, preferably even every six months.

When you are on a building site, fire evacuation is often the last thing that is checked, but how quickly could you warn workers of a fire and evacuate? Once a fire has had hold for 10 to 15 minutes, the building may be beyond saving; where is the nearest fire extinguisher? Can you have too many?

Most building sites use a lot of wood as a matter of course, even more so if it is a timber-frame or other largely wooden construction. The finished product may be just as fire resistant as a brick or block construction, but only once it is finished.

As work on a building site progresses, the Fire Safety Plan must be modified to reflect any changes and site workers must be informed of the changes.

Flammable materials commonly used on construction sites, are site workers aware of the potential hazards associated with such materials? In cold weather many construction sites may use gas heaters to keep workers warm or to dry plaster. Are safe procedures in place for their use?

If there are any hot works going on, has a Permit to Work been issued?

Finally, it is important to remember that most fires are caused at night, so site security must always play a part in effective fire prevention. How secure is the site? Is the site checked before being closed up? Are any waste skips located near perimeter fencing where they could be interfered with by passers-by?